Skip to main content

Uniting Nations: The Exhibition is a unique campaigning celebration of the global Pride movement. Through a collection of photographs, videos and oral testimony Uniting Nations will reflect upon the state of Pride today, the celebrations, events and demonstrations that unite us all as we follow in the footsteps of those brave few marching for equality in New York in the summer of 1970 as they commemorated the 1969 Stonewall riots.   

Connecting us with Pride events across the globe, Uniting Nations: The Exhibition, curated by Kate Wildblood and Josephine Bourne, will be an explosion of colour and diversity as we salute the courage of the activists, organisers and participants of Pride events around the world.

Every year someone somewhere is taking their first steps with Pride. Be it as one of four million people celebrating at the world record beating Sao Paulo Brazil Gay Pride Parade in Brazil, as one of a few hundred defying the hatred at Uganda Pride in Kampala or as one of a dozen brave activists defying the authorities by attending a Pride event banned by legislators in Moscow, every step counts. Because every step makes a difference. To the personal and the public as Pride organisers, participants and LGBT+ activists confront stigma, fight back against hate crime and deliver hope. Hope that we as a global LGBT+ community can achieve full equality, under the law, within families, at work, through our health services and in education. 

Be it the stunning spectacle of Bali Pride, the brilliance of Hong Kong Pride, the celebrations in Helsinki, the vitality of Arraial Lisboa Pride, the carnival of Union Diversidad in Panama, those opposing Sri Lanka’s archaic laws at Colombo Pride, the dreams and hopes of Åland Pride, the refugee rights campaigning of Antwerp Pride, the activists at Zagreb Pride declaring Croatia is a country for all, the spectrum of defiant Pride colours from Guyana, the brave few at Montego Bay Pride in Jamaica or the death defying voices of Iraqueer, Uniting Nations will highlight the successes and struggles of the global LGBT+ Pride movement as we all strive for full equality.

An exhibition to inspire Uniting Nations will remind us that the global LGBT+ community is marching and campaigning for equality. A vital and enlightening part of Brighton Pride’s 2016 campaigning theme, Uniting Nations: The Exhibition will enable us all to connect and hear those proud voices as we celebrate the bravery and diversity of the many Pride communities across the globe. Brighton Pride. Uniting us as we unite nations under the rainbow flag of equality.

Co-curator Kate Wildblood said: “After the success of last year’s BrightonPride25 exhibition Josephine and I are thrilled to be part of such an important campaigning project for Brighton Pride. Every year someone, somewhere is taking their first steps with Pride, organising their first event or march and campaigning for equality. Uniting Nations: The Exhibition will enable us all to connect and hear those proud voices as we celebrate the bravery and diversity of the many Pride communities across the globe”.

Pride Director Paul kemp said: “Along side the party and celebration, it is important not to trivialise the meaning behind Pride. Brighton Pride’s campaigning theme has become a priority for us as we endeavour to highlight the lives and struggles of LGBT+ people across the world as they strive for equality. Brighton & Hove Pride has evolved over the years with more communities coming together to help us raise funds for our local groups and to celebrate every aspect of our city, regardless of sexuality, race, gender, age or ability. 

Whilst in the UK we have come a long way with equality under the law, we must not forget those who’s human rights are still denied them”

Uniting Nations: The Exhibition
22nd July – 7th August 2016
Jubilee Library, Jubilee Square, Brighton BN1 1GE
Free entry.

Pride Festival tickets are available here
Sign up to the Pride mailing list here