The start of June signals the beginning of Pride Month, a month-long annual celebration that recognises the LGBTQ+ community and their contributions to society. Coyle Personnel take pride in the diversity of our workforce, and we remain committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive, regardless of sexual orientation, or gender identity.
The History of Pride Month:
Historically, Pride Month has roots in the Stonewall Riots, which took place in New York City in 1969 and served as a catalyst for the LGBTQ+ rights movement worldwide. Three years later, the first UK Gay Pride rally was held in London in the summer of 1972, to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Since then, the celebration has evolved into a much larger event, despite constant setbacks such as Section 28 of the UK’s Local Government Act 1988, which prohibited local authorities from promoting homosexuality.
1992 saw London host the first ever EuroPride, a pan-European international event dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ pride that drew a crowd of over 100,000. Further evolutions into the 2000s such as the legalisation of same-sex marriage helped to continue the growth of Pride Month. The celebrations now consist of events, parades, and education programmes that take place throughout the month of June.
Pride Month 2025:
In 2022, the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, agreed a five-year contract with Pride in London to run annual events from 2023 to 2027. While additional regional events are hosted across the United Kingdom, London’s march remains the largest with an estimated attendance of 1.7+ million people.
The month of June provides an opportune moment for us all to acknowledge the challenges faced by this community and to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in their fight for equality, acceptance and human rights. Often a joyful and colourful display of love and unity, Pride Month is filled with events that help to educate the public and celebrate the diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities.
How Coyle Personnel are Getting Involved:
To show our continued support for the LGBTQ+ community, Coyle Personnel will be using our online platform to raise awareness for Pride Month and the ongoing events. We will be sharing stories from some of our LGBTQ+ employees, as well as resources and messages that promote LGBTQ+ rights.
On an individual level, we are encouraging all our employees to check for Pride parades in their area and to where possible participate in celebrations and marches. Another great way to get involved is by taking time to learn about the struggles and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community through reading books, engaging in conversations, or listening to podcasts.
Play Your Part in Celebrating Diversity:
A lot of forward progress has been made about LGBTQ+ rights but trans people across the UK still face numerous issues, most prominently the rising levels of abuse and hate crimes. The ongoing debates around the legal definitions of gender, access to single-sex spaces, and participation in sports are concerning for many trans people. Ensuring their inclusion in the workplace and the wider community is something we can all take responsibility for.
We hope that you can join Coyle Personnel in celebrating Pride Month 2025. Whether it be participating in an event, supporting an LGBTQ+ organisation, or advocating for equality, we all have the power to create a more inclusive and accepting society.