Community, belonging and acceptance; is this the antidote to shame and societal discrimination? An exploration of LGBTQ+ individuals' attendance at pride and their mental health

LGBTQ+ minorities are disproportionately exposed to stigma, discrimination and social prejudice compared with cisgender and heterosexual peers, which can result in experiences of shame and isolation for LGBTQ+ individuals. Pride marches began as a reaction to this systemic and institutional discrimination of gender and sexual diversity and provides hope and community. This exploratory study aimed to investigate what Pride events mean to LGBTQ+ individuals and what potential impact these spaces have on the mental health and wellbeing of the community. Participants (N = 52) were recruited opportunistically at 7 Pride events across the North East of England, and invited to share their narratives and experiences using a creative and interactive research board. Qualitative content analysis revealed three main themes: 'pride is much more than a celebration', 'community healing' and 'this is me'. 12 subthemes were further identified in the analysis. The themes provide a unique understanding of how LGBTQ+ spaces and events impact individuals mental health and wellbeing. This evidence supports the importance of interventions and support at a grass roots and community level, fostering engagement and increasing empowerment within already existing LGBTQ+ groups.