2024 June Pride Month in a Pink Tutu in York

It's Tutu Tuesday in York and the streets are overflowing with colour, laughter, and glitter!

Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident fashionista and lover of all things sparkly, especially when it comes to celebrating diversity and spreading some serious rainbow joy. Today, I'm rocking a bright pink tutu (because let's face it, pink is the ultimate statement colour for a day of celebrating love and acceptance) and I'm buzzing with excitement for Pride in York.

*Let's rewind for a minute. * I’m originally a city girl, born and bred in London. I’ve always lived a pretty busy, whirlwind life: full-time ballerina at a renowned ballet company by day, my own little blog “Emma’s Enchanted Evening” by night (which is all about sharing my love for dancing, fashion, and fabulous events), and, oh, did I mention I am a diehard disco queen? If you've ever seen me in the club, you'll know what I mean. I'm all about throwing shapes, feeling the groove, and expressing myself freely.

This, I’ve discovered, is exactly what Pride is all about – expressing ourselves, celebrating our differences, and coming together in the spirit of unity. That's why I’ve moved to York – a beautiful historic city in the north of England that is known for its thriving arts scene and growing LGBT+ community. The vibe here is friendly, warm and full of acceptance, and everyone’s happy to be themselves – a big reason why this year, for Pride Month, I wanted to host my own celebration, bringing together fashion, fun, and the heart of the LGBTQ+ community.

Pride for me goes far beyond just celebrating our individuality; it's about building a society where everyone can live, love, and thrive without judgment.

York, you’re truly amazing! From the charming cobbled streets to the magnificent Minster, the city oozes history, culture, and – most importantly - that "Yorkshire charm" - you know the one! And when it comes to Pride celebrations, this city really brings its A-game.

Now, this year's Pride festival in York has really raised the bar, boasting a spectacular programme of events: from the lively “Rainbow Run” through the streets of the city center, which literally turns the streets into a burst of colourful celebration, to "Dancing in the Streets", where local DJs kept us grooving until late into the evening.

But my personal highlight was definitely "The Tutu Parade". Inspired by the incredible women I know (my fellow dancers, some who are brave enough to express their own unique femininity), it was a celebration of fashion, individuality, and that unmistakable tutu charm. I got so much inspiration from seeing a whole host of different people all rocking tutus: a bunch of uni students swishing about in a kaleidoscope of colors, some senior citizens rocking their tutus and giving off seriously fabulous vibes (never too old for tutu fun!), and even a dog, who strutted the catwalk with his own mini pink tutu, wagging his tail to the disco beat - what could be more fabulous than that?!

We started off at the historical city centre, passing York Minster, a landmark I love exploring because it has so many captivating historical stories. From there, we walked through Shambles – a truly medieval and quintessentially "York" experience, with its narrow, timber-framed houses and little shops – making the city come alive with a sea of pink tulle. We even danced our way past the Jorvik Viking Centre – those cheeky Vikings probably would’ve enjoyed a bit of glitter and good times, right?!

So, if you ever come to York for Pride, you simply MUST bring your own tutu! Or, if you don’t have one (shame on you! ha-ha, just joking), then pop into one of York’s independent fashion stores - they’re some of the most quirky and colourful shops I’ve found. There’s a place for every individual in York’s fabulous fashion scene, and, if you can't find what you're looking for in those stores, don't fret! York is just overflowing with amazing independent shops with something for every taste and budget.

*But back to our pink parade... *

As we moved along, we were treated to performances by some incredible musicians - I swear some of them were channeling the energy of the greatest disco divas of all time! I was especially impressed by “Glitter Girl”, a young woman with a dazzling voice and a voice that just screams, "This is me, and I'm here to slay!" – you gotta check her out, you guys! All of the performers gave their hearts and souls to their music, really showing that passion and unity are the keys to a vibrant and supportive LGBTQ+ community.

Speaking of passion and unity, let's give a shoutout to the awesome people behind the York Pride festival, the LGBTQ+ community organisations, and the volunteers who poured their hearts and souls into making this event an absolute blast. They put their money where their hearts are, literally putting in all the work to ensure the community felt supported, included and loved.

*What makes York so special, and the thing I love about this beautiful city, is that it really embodies a sense of shared joy, unity and inclusivity. * No matter what our differences, people here come together, not to tear each other down, but to celebrate, appreciate, and understand each other, and that's a feeling that you just can't get enough of.

I truly feel like I have found my place in York. I found my second home and a group of people who support me as much as my own family!

And now, to finish with a bit of advice that has been guiding my own little fashion world for quite some time: Don't be afraid to embrace the bold, embrace your individuality, and above all, let your unique spirit shine, because you, darling, are a star!

#TutuTuesday #TutuPride #YorkPride #PinkPride #RainbowRun #GlitterGirl #DancingInTheStreets

And let's hear it for all the amazing fashionista queens in our community, don't forget to spread some of that sparkle and love and...

See you at the next Pride!