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LGBT Pride Month officially kicks off in June but here at The Flag Shop, we’re always planning our celebrations ahead of time! Each year, we get excited about finding the best & most colourful ways to help support those taking part in LGBT events across the country, to show our support and...well, because they’re so much fun! If you want to find an LGBT Event near you, stock up on brightly coloured Pride flags, or learn more about the history behind these increasingly popular festivals, then this article is for you...

What is LGBT awareness all about?

LGBT stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender; the acronym LGBTQ is often also used synonymously to incorporate Q for 'Queer.' When we celebrate LGBT Awareness with parades, Equality flags and Rainbow bunting, we are expressing support for all members of the LGBTQ community. As a society, we celebrate inclusiveness, equality, diversity  and raise political awareness of the issues that have, and still do, face LGBT people have historically faced. And if there’s great music and food involved, who’s complaining?

What happens during LGBT pride month?

For a whole month in June (give or take a few weeks), LGBT Pride Month is celebrated across the world. In most places, this means rainbow spinner-festooned parades and parties, as well as awareness-raising events and fundraising for charitable causes. It’s a hugely popular time for both the LGBT community and everyone who wants to take part in celebrating tolerance, love, and have a great time waving smiley face flags.

What to expect at an LGBT event

Colours, everywhere, for a start! Most LGBT Events take place during Spring and Summer, being almost always held outdoors. To accommodate the huge Pride Flag-waving crowds that flock to these incredibly popular events, you’ll often find the main party within a large park or open area.  If you live in an area that’s known for its LGBT Parades, there will be posters and banners informing you of where exactly it’s to be held. Don’t worry, with eye-catching Bi Pride Flags, Born This Way Flags, and pumping music, you’ll probably have a hard time missing it!

Most events begin with a parade, which is the number one spot to catch the action. Expect streets along the Pride Parade route to be packed with people waving a huge range of Rainbow Gay Pride Flags, Bi Pride Flags, Asexual Pride Flags, Pansexual Symbol Flags, and Transgender Pride Flags. Most of us are already familiar with the bright colours of the iconic rainbow flags, but some may still be curious to understand what the other flags represent. If you want to be carrying the right LGBT hand flag at the next event you attend,  you’ll find all the answers in our our Gay Pride flag catalogue, where we stock the Aromantic Flag, Non Binary Flag, and Polyamory Pride Flags, among many others.

When you get to a parade, you may be overwhelmed at the sheer number of people there! They’re a fun experience for the whole family, and to be honest, you’ll probably need a special flag if you want to stand out. Expect music, community celebrations, and dancing, as well as public buildings bedecked with rainbow wind socks, giant LGBT, and Pride bunting. As a top tip, bring a bottle of water, because these parades can stretch on for a long way!

Some LGBT Pride events....

Perhaps the best known LGBT Pride celebrations take place in Sydney, Australia. Even if you’re not headed Down Under this February (that’s their summer!), you’ll probably catch some of the action on TV. Sydney Mardi Gras is a once-in-a-lifetime must-attend for everybody who loves culture and includes cinema, sports, debates, fundraising, and more, all amongst a backdrop of fun Smiley Face Bunting, Hashtag Pride Flags. Whether you’re taking to the (probably sweltering) streets or waving your LGBT hand flags while you tune in from home, make sure you catch at least a glimpse of the action.

This Spring or Summer, one of the biggest UK events takes place in Brighton. The seaside town is home to a massive LGBT Event each summer, with stellar entertainment including day events and nightlife. Amongst the Rainbow LGBT Triangular Bunting, you’ll find stilt walkers, vivid costumes and drag acts. If you’re afraid of glitter, don’t say we haven’t warned you! Brighton Pride is going to be as colourful as it gets! And of course, London has its own iconic LGBT event and on a suitably-huge scale. The legendary celebration kicks off in June with a calendar of art, cinematic and street events, culminating in a high-energy parade on 7th July.

If you can’t attend any of these events in person, why not host your own LGBT awareness party at home? With some LGBT table flags, music, and—fingers crossed—some sunshine, there’s no reason you can’t hold your own barbecue or dinner right in your own backyard!