[Written by me for Pride365] Our longstanding Pride365 Champion, Publisher & Editor of Q Magazine Brett Hayhoe, who is an Emeritus Council Member with InterPride, shares the following memories with us for Pride month.

worldpride

‘For over twelve years, I have travelled globally, serving on the board of InterPride and advocating for the freedoms rightfully claimed by the LGBTIQA+ communities. It is challenging to convey the true significance of this honour through words alone. The privilege of participating in various Prides, WorldPrides, and related social and political events is only matched by the remarkable individuals I have met and continue to consider friends.

Alan Reiff (a fellow Champion of Pride365, pictured with me in NYC) has undoubtedly had the most profound impact on my life. Despite being separated by geographic distances, he remains my closest friend. We were introduced in Vancouver, after which I requested to stay at his apartment in Queens during my first trip to New York City.

looks are sometimes deceiving

Thanks to his generosity, his apartment became my second home for the subsequent 11 years (I still possess the keys). At one point, Alan and I were seen together so frequently that his late mother, Estelle, believed we were a couple. The number of cafes, restaurants, theatres, galleries, embassies, venues, bars, clubs, private parties, cities, countries, Prides and WorldPrides we have attended together is countless. Without this man, my life would be significantly different.

rainbow flag maker gilbert baker

Alan and my relationship is indicative of those formed daily via the wonderful machine called ‘Pride’. I have often stated that ‘Pride will never be irrelevant.’ As my friend Gilbert Baker once said to me in his home in Harlem, “Pride gives us a very important thing: visibility. Without it, we would become invisible”. Essentially, if you must ask why we have Pride, you do not truly understand the ethos at the heart of Prides worldwide.

While Pride means something different to everyone, it represents a thriving, healthy, relevant, important, and fun-loving group of people who share unwavering bonds of sexuality and the belief that all individuals, regardless of gender, political affiliation, race, religious beliefs, social or financial status, or vocational choices, are equal.

As the first ‘Champion’ – this is likely the primary reason I accepted the honour – I believed Pride365 shared these values. This strong foundational principle was an incredibly powerful place to begin.

Wherever you live, however big or small your event, I wish you and yours a safe and happy Pride this season.’

Thank you Brett for a wonderful piece.

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#Pride2025