Inspired by the author and researcher Kirsty Sedgman, I am interested in exploring the interactions of a community who find themselves on the fringes of what society mandates as ‘normal’.

Pride is a day of celebrating LGBTQ+ identities with many large cities having their own schedule of events throughout the year. Bristol stands out as a proudly LGBTQ+ friendly city, known for its rich and subversive cultural heritage. Its vocal, active queer community is backed by Bristol Pride. a year-round charity that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, equality, and inclusion.

I don’t photograph the spectacle of Pride as an outsider looking in. I am there as a member of the LGBTQ+ community capturing people expressing their authentic sense of being – capturing the serendipitous moments that materialize when a group of likeminded people come together en masse.

However as queer people, we do not fit neatly into predefined boxes; diversity is more than eleven colours and the edges are often blurred. I am capturing this project in black and white to remove this ambiguity.

As the project matures, I’ve realised that Pride cannot be a holistic representation of the LGBTQ+ community. The intention was to unite those in the images and photograph the collective effervescence building within the group, but not everyone celebrates Pride in the same way or place.

Pride is a movement based on equality, but it is not the definition of it. It radiates a sense of inclusivity and celebration for many, yet can be a difficult experience for some. There is an argument that the lack of accessibility, commercialisation and flamboyance is a misrepresentation of the true values of queer identity.

This photographic documentary explores the diverse expressions of Pride that emerge during Bristol’s annual celebrations.