Happy Pride Month! Our Pride Month Series is BACK for another year! It’s time to celebrate the fabulous people who make up our glorious LGBTQ+ community!
Each day during Pride Month we will be highlighting one of those people. Today, we ask Patrick Black, Co-owner of The Cock Tavern in Kennington, what pride means to them.
Patrick also mentions being a proud gay man who has lived in London since 1980 and rarely missed a pride march. WE LOVE THAT!
What does Pride mean to you ?
To me the early Pride marches were more about rebellion, ‘ We’re here, we’re queer, better get used to it ‘ .. Watching the march grow year by year has been amazing , we haven’t gone away, look how proud we are …
I love it
What was your first Pride experience, and what and where was it ?
My first pride was in the mid-80s, Thatchers Britain, it was a bleak time for most of us but the joy of the march was incredible the feeling of unity was electric,we’ve come a long way
What is your favourite part of pride?
My favourite part of pride is meeting my friends, watching the march, a wander around Soho , maybe a small libation, then back to The Cock Tavern to celebrate with our lovely customers
Do you have a favourite Pride memory?Â
Well there’s been many but probably the first Pride in the Park in Kennington, it was before it got too big to host it , so much fun
Do you still think Pride is important ?
I really do, its  become a lot more mainstream but I think its important to remember the people who have come and gone in our lives , the fighting for our rights and the happiness in numbers ..
I shall be watching the march with a tear of joy in my eye
