03/06/2026
We stand for inclusion not hate and we stand with Essex Pride.
Thank you for all you do.
With the recent stance from the new Reform UK leadership at Essex County Council, ordering libraries not to promote LGBTQ+ pride events, we at Essex Pride believe that the banning of the promotion of Pride events at libraries sends a negative message, that LGBTQ+ people should be hidden away, rather than acknowledged as a part of society.
Libraries should be places of learning, inclusion, where people from all walks of life have representation.
If the LGBTQ+ community was accepted, not persecuted, young people weren’t bullied or disowned and people weren’t discriminated against based on sexuality then we wouldn’t need pride.
Pride isn’t about saying the LGBTQ+ community are better than anyone, it’s about us saying they we are proud of who we are despite people often telling us that we should be ashamed.
Pride is also for people who feel they have to hide themselves away, so they can maybe feel a bit more confident to tell their world who they are with support.
We look forward to celebrating pride with our families, friends, allies on Saturday 20th June in Chelmsford, and encourage you more than ever to join the pride celebrations.
You can find out about the city centre pride march and Cental Park Festival here:
www.essexpride.org
Did you know: The brand new pride march route starts at Marconi Plaza at Chelmsford Theatre at 10:30am and passes by the ECC Headquarters - see you on Saturday 20th June.
Essex County Council Essex Library Service
Essex Live Save Our Libraries Essex - SOLE
