Hello, lovelies! It's your girl Emma here, and guess what? It’s Pride Month, which means it’s time to twirl into the spotlight, ditch the boring beige, and embrace the rainbow! This year, I decided to take my own personal passion – pink tutus, naturally – and spread a little joy and awareness right in my local area, the fabulous Darlaston.
As someone who's spent years on the stage, I’ve learned a thing or two about self-expression. It's about finding your voice, whether that's through dance, music, fashion, or even just a brightly coloured tutu! And Pride Month is all about embracing that individuality, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.
This June, my motto was: Embrace your inner fabulousness, be yourself, and dance like nobody’s watching. That's why, every Tuesday throughout the month, I proudly donned a different pink tutu, channeling my inner disco diva (seriously, those 70s looks are coming back with a bang!), and strutted my stuff through Darlaston. I called it “Tutu Tuesdays,” and it turned into a right laugh!
My plan was to get folks talking about LGBTQ+ issues while spreading a bit of sparkly cheer. And trust me, I wasn't alone! A surprisingly large number of people, from all walks of life, joined me for a spot of spontaneous twirling, posing, and general revelry. The response was fantastic! Everyone from grandmas and little kids to local shopkeepers and even the guy who runs the chip shop on the corner was snapping pictures and smiling.
It’s fair to say that my Tutu Tuesdays didn’t exactly match the big parades in London or Birmingham, but hey, they were impactful! Just seeing people laugh, strike a pose, and join me in a quick twirl brought joy and brightened their day. We were celebrating our differences, our colours, our love for each other, and most importantly, the incredible strength and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community.
A Tutu-filled Day to Remember
The highlight, hands down, was June’s first Tutu Tuesday. We had a fabulous bunch of folk gather outside the local library for a ‘tutu takeover.’ It was amazing to see the faces of people as they got involved – so much enthusiasm! The atmosphere was electric! A little girl in a yellow dress, all frills and smiles, shouted to me, “Your tutu is amazing, Miss!” It was heart-melting.
Of course, the inevitable selfie-snapping session ensued. It wasn't just about the pictures, though, it was about the joy and camaraderie of people connecting. Someone called out, "Come on, everyone, make this a moment, a Darlaston Tutu-memory!'" and with that, we were all a happy tangle of pink tutus and bright smiles!
For me, those moments, where community and personal expression come together in a burst of vibrant joy, are exactly what Pride is about. We showed Darlaston that embracing our individuality and accepting one another are the most important things in the world.
Sharing the Message with "Pinky Power"
My Tuesdays became a bit of a thing, with local newspapers running articles and social media abuzz. There were posts with the hashtags #TutuTuesdays and #DarlastonPride popping up all over, including a few that mentioned the lovely chip shop owner (who insisted on providing a discount for anyone sporting a tutu). I mean, talk about good PR, eh?!
The entire project was fuelled by passion and the amazing local community. It wasn't just a matter of donning a tutu. We chatted, shared stories, and learned from each other. Every tutu twirl was a tiny dance against hate, discrimination, and inequality.
And speaking of my favourite accessory: Those tutus were not just flamboyant attire – they represented our unique selves. Just like a ballet dancer uses their tutu as a vehicle for artistic expression, I hoped that mine, with their pop of pink, would serve as a symbol of unity and love.
More Than Just a Pink Tutu:
Pride Month isn’t just about celebrating the LGBTQ+ community – it's also about raising awareness, advocating for change, and working towards a world where everyone can live authentically and be treated with respect. And that’s something I’m absolutely passionate about.
While Tutu Tuesdays have drawn to a close for now, I’m determined to continue advocating for equality in whatever way I can, even if it means bringing a splash of pink and disco vibes to every corner of Darlaston! It’s time to embrace our individuality and express ourselves unapologetically!
And that, my darlings, is a message we can all stand by, in tutus or otherwise! Let’s celebrate everyone, love everyone, and remember, together we are stronger. Now, who’s up for a little twirl?
TutuPride #TutuTuesdays #DarlastonPride #BeYourSelf #PrideMonth2024 A Little More About Tutu Tuesdays...Because every pink tutu tells a story, I wanted to share some more details about my Tutu Tuesday journey and the brilliant people who helped make it a celebration of inclusivity and self-expression.
Here are just a few things that made June in Darlaston extra special:
- The Tutus, of Course: Every week, I picked out a different pink tutu for my "Tutu Tuesday" outings. It became a personal mission to discover the perfect shade, texture, and overall twirl-ability for each day. Some were classic and elegant, some were totally outlandish with feathers and sparkles, and there were even a couple of those fantastically huge tulle ones!
- The Community Connection: I wasn't the only one rocking the tutu! People would come up to me at the library, in the market, or even just in the street. There was a friendly couple from the pub who joined me, a group of mums with prams, even the local dog walker. I had one sweet, older gentleman tell me, "I love this. You're spreading a beautiful message," – that truly melted my heart!
- A Blast From the Past: I brought out the big disco vibes every week, with 70s tunes blasting from my retro boombox. I mean, what better soundtrack to strutting about in a pink tutu than Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive!” People were totally into it, tapping their feet, humming along, and even breaking into some funky dance moves!
- A Celebration for Everyone: It’s not just about rainbows and glitter; it’s about the core values of inclusivity and respect. My favourite memory from all of Tutu Tuesdays was a little boy, probably about six years old, coming up to me at the market and whispering, “Thank you.” I was touched. That small act of kindness is what really makes these moments special.
- It Was About the Memories: I know this is corny, but it's truly the feeling of joy and camaraderie that made it so fantastic. Every Tutu Tuesday was like stepping into a flash mob. It wasn’t a professionally organised event, it was simply a collection of people who, for those few precious moments, were all part of something positive.
- It wasn't just Darlaston... Social media connected my little Tutu Tuesday with people all over the world! People shared their #TutuTuesdays and sent their best wishes! That’s how I knew this project wasn't just for me, it was a global celebration!
If you’re reading this and thinking about adding a little more fabulous to your world, here's a little tip: don’t wait for Pride Month, be proud every single day!
And remember, whether you rock a tutu, paint your nails bright, blast out disco music, or just embrace your quirky personality, every act of self-expression is a statement for inclusivity and a testament to your individuality. So, get out there, twirl your worries away, and let your unique colours shine!
Stay sparkling, lovelies!
Emma, the Tutu Queen of Darlaston.
#TutuPride #TutuTuesdays #DarlastonPride #BeYourSelf #PrideMonth2024 #PrideAlways
