Proud in Redbridge: A Celebration
A write-up of Redbridge Pride 2025 by our guest blogger: KewKay
Even if I wrote 50 pages, it wouldn’t be able to do the first ever Redbridge Pride justice. However, I’ll try my very best, because Ilford Pride deserves its flowers. I’m very glad I, KewKay, have the honour of writing this, because it was an incredibly fun and moving day for me - and hopefully next year, it’ll be for you too.
The venue itself, Redbridge Town Hall, is likely the best venue that could have been chosen for Pride and not just because of the air conditioning on one of the hottest days of the year! On top of all that, several tables and seating were available to ensure everyone could not just attend but enjoy themselves. Furthermore, name stickers made it super easy to make new friends. I was so glad to see Ilford Pride lived to the true golden standard of how Pride should be - accessible and inclusive. The decorations were also so colourful! My favourite was easily the flag banner, stretching wide and repping all the segments of the LGBTQ+ community! That banner is now being hung and used in Redbridge Rainbow events, too!
Now, there wasn’t just a lot to look at, but a lot to do, too! The walls were lined with different stalls, giving out advice and information (and freebies!). My most notable memories have got to include the sexual health awareness stall, with a whole quiz segment about STDs and sexual wellness - yes, I was on the easiest level and still barely passed. I could go on and discuss every single stall and all the amazing things they had to offer, but I’d be here forever; we are all incredibly grateful for your showing up and making Redbridge Pride such an incredible, unforgettable experience!
While there was much to sign up for and learn, there were also activities available for all ages! My favourites included face painting, letting me get some adorable photos, and badge-making, which I’ve now stored away in my special memories box. There were also bracelet-making stalls, with the most adorable and shiny beads alongside tons of friends willing to chat the afternoon away. I’m also obliged to give a special shout out to the “decorate a flag” stall, hosted by Kaleidoscope in Romford, an amazing social club for LGBTQ+ young people.
However, the real cherry on top were the performances! I would do anything to be able to watch them again. First up were the beautiful Bollyqueer group (@bollyqueer), and their performances made you feel like you were right in the middle of a South Asian wedding. They had this beautiful blend of Indian and Western song and dances that everyone was enthralled by. People, seated or not, were clapping and dancing along. I absolutely adored them, and even went to Waltham Forest Pride to see them again! They have such energy and smiles while busting out intricate moves that you can’t help but be impressed. And that’s not all! After their wonderful performance, they hosted a small dance workshop, similar to ones they offer on their website. A group of very brave people volunteered to get on stage to learn some dance steps and then performed them for everyone! While I was much too scared, everyone who left the stage afterwards had large grins on their faces. It was so awesome to see people from so many backgrounds and abilities to enjoy and engage in Bollyqueer - maybe I should sign up for their beginner workshop…?
Next up, everyone’s eyes and ears were blessed with the terrific Tyra Missoux (@herecomesmum)! Her songs, dances and humour made everyone feel like they were in a slice of heaven. Crowdwork seemed to come natural to her - flowing in between the people, singing alongside them - everyone got a special moment! Halfway through, the audience was rewarded a break from screaming their throats out - giving everyone some time to snag some delicious samosas, pakoras or chana chaat. My personal favourite from her was “I Need A Hero”, her singing was effortless and all my videos have been ruined by my yelling over them. If you ask anyone, they will tell you the same thing - “Tyra Missoux has GOT to come back for another Redbridge Pride.”
And thus, the magnificence of Redbridge Pride has been summarised into these few paragraphs - however, I hope you can join us next year! We would be more than happy to have you. Happy Pride everyone, and until next year!
