Being heterosexual and having no gay friends, I was ignorant and unaware of Leicester’s gay scene, until I began working at a new gay bar, Amber, in town last week. | "I have learnt that homosexuals are not aliens (and the signs are generally quite obvious anyway) so there was no need to be afraid!" | | Guest Contributor, Anna Moran |
This weekend I was sent out to hand flyers out at Pride, which turned out to be a real eye opener. The parade included hundreds of men and women, and men dressed as women, proudly waving their flags and banners of homosexual pride and rights through the streets of Leicester city centre. They attracted the attention of families, shoppers and the press, stopping traffic on London Road and distracting workers in local businesses who wanted to have a peek at the fantastic costumes. Sense of PrideI felt honoured to be a part of the friendly display of gay freedom and a sense of pride for the open diversity that my city is host to. At Victoria Park, music from the entertainment tents filled the air, whilst men dressed in bright, glitzy dresses with long bouncing manes and six-inch high heels protruded the grounds. Rainbow coloured flags, representing gay, lesbian and trans-gendered community pride, a powerful symbol of diversity waved across the green. The smiling faces and friendly, buzzing atmosphere was welcoming especially to a new-comer, like myself. I soon realised that there was no room here for outcasts. Homophobia?Perhaps my homophobia had stopped me from going in the past; I was always scared of being 'hit on' by another woman. However, I have learnt that homosexuals are not aliens (and the signs are generally quite obvious anyway) so there was no need to be afraid! My mobile is now overloaded with phone numbers of gay and lesbian friends I made at the event. I will certainly be going to Pride again and next year I will bring along my straight friends. | 
