It's officially June, which means it's Pride Month! And what better way to celebrate than by embracing the vibrant spirit of LGBTQ+ pride with a little… well, a lot… of pink?
As a ballet dancer, a blogger, and a HUGE advocate for inclusivity and love, it just felt right to embrace June Pride with a little (well, a lot) of sparkle, grace, and, of course, a pink tutu. After all, when you've got a tutu, you've got confidence. You've got strength. You've got something that makes you feel unstoppable! And that’s the essence of Pride - being your unapologetically fabulous self!
My mission for June? To inspire Rutherglen, the small town I call home, to shine as brightly as our community's beautiful diversity. And what better way to do that than with a Tutu-tastic Pride Party?
I've been dreaming up this event for weeks, fuelled by copious amounts of pink prosecco (don’t judge, it’s the official beverage of Pride!) and a playlist on constant repeat of Donna Summer, Diana Ross, and Kylie Minogue (let’s face it, you can never go wrong with disco!).
I’ve even been sewing a special Pride tutu – think rainbows, sequins, and enough glitter to make a disco ball jealous. Let's just say, I've taken inspiration from the sheer brilliance of the Pride flag itself, because our collective joy, our fight for equality, our celebration of love in all its glorious forms… that deserves to be celebrated!
But this isn't just about a fancy frock. This is about taking our community, my hometown Rutherglen, and reminding ourselves that diversity is a strength. It's about celebrating the unique beauty and incredible spirit that comes from every single individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
And so, on a glorious summer's day, with the sun glinting off my glitter-covered tulle, I stand before a gathering of Rutherglen residents - all shapes, sizes, and expressions. I hear cheers as I sashay into the town square, feeling the vibrant pulse of the music echoing the joyous beat of our collective hearts.
From the moment I arrive, the atmosphere is buzzing. Laughter and excitement crackle in the air. A kaleidoscope of rainbows and pride flags flutter proudly in the breeze, a tangible testament to the joy and solidarity we're sharing. I scan the crowd, eyes gleaming with excitement as they mingle, dance, and share laughter. My eyes widen at the sheer beauty of our community: couples holding hands, kids drawing rainbows on their cheeks, elderly people twirling to disco, and everyone, yes everyone, simply brimming with the infectious joy of Pride.
The highlight of the day was, of course, the tutu competition! My oh my, the sheer artistry! From feathers and floral designs to vibrant bursts of rainbow hues and even a tribute to Rutherglen's famous peacocks - I was completely floored by the sheer talent on display!
And speaking of talent, the stage was buzzing with a lineup of talented performers, from drag queens effortlessly twirling their sequins and boas to Rutherglen’s very own 'The Singing Sweethearts' acapella group who left the audience spellbound with their harmonious rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
It wouldn't be Pride without some delectable delights, so the delicious aromas of rainbow cupcakes, Pride-themed pizza slices (the ‘Rainbow Pizza’ is the talk of the town, trust me!), and the tastiest rainbow ice-cream in the land filled the air. I’ll admit, my personal favourite were the "Pride Pancakes," a glorious stack of rainbow-hued pancake stacks drizzled with gooey, pink, pink, pink!
By the time the final disco ball spin is done and the last dance move executed, the energy in Rutherglen’s town square is infectious. We’ve shared laughs, sung our hearts out, enjoyed amazing food, and most importantly, celebrated the joy of diversity. This isn't just another celebration, it’s a reminder, a testament, a joyful burst of sunshine celebrating how truly amazing we are together, stronger and bolder, standing shoulder-to-shoulder, ready to take on the world in our tutu-tastic Pride.
It’s the kind of Pride event I dreamed of – a place where every single person feels celebrated, loved, and accepted, because everyone deserves to live authentically, embrace their own uniqueness, and feel the radiant warmth of a community that shines brightly with unwavering support.
As I prepare to take off my pink tutu, the sparkle of the event remains in the air. A memory, a testament, to the amazing power of community, love, and a touch of glitter. Let's celebrate, Rutherglen. Let’s love freely, express ourselves boldly, and most importantly, never forget the unwavering beauty that comes with being who you are!
#RutherglenPride #PinkPower #PrideMonth #LoveIsLove #TutuTuesday #TutuPride
