Today we spoke to radio producer, DJ, presenter and founder of club night Jungle Kitty, Mark-Ashley Dupé
GLL: What does Pride mean to you?
M: Pride to me means remembering that as far as we’ve come, there’s still a long way to go before we can live authentically in our truth like our straight counterparts. It also means remembering that there are members of the LGBT+ community in other parts of the world who also don’t have the privilege to celebrate pride and finally remembering that we are not alone on this journey. We’re not weird, it’s not a phase and there are so many of us!
GLL: Tell us about your first Pride experience, what & where was it?
M: My first pride must have been back in 2004, Soho, I was 16 and it was when London Pride actually used to be fun before Westminster council stopped it from being a street party. I remember there being speaker boxes everywhere and people were literally dancing on top of phone boxes. There was a huge feeling of unity and freedom of expression
GLL: What is your favourite part of Pride?
M: My favourite part of pride is being with all my loved ones.
GLL: Do you have a favourite Pride memory?
M: Dancing for Stefflon Don on stage at Birmingham Pride in 2018.
GLL: Why do you think Pride is still important?
M: Because not everyone has the freedoms we do here in the western world, so it’s a beacon of hope for those who might think they are alone. But it’s also a reminder to those who still haven’t accepted that some proof are queer, that they need to quickly get on board because we ain’t going anywhere anytime soon… so get over it!
