What It Means to Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride

Script Editor Antóin Beag Ó Colla, Formats Administrator Camille Benedet and Payroll & Project Manager James Charlton speak to myGwork about their unique experiences of Pride, and what it means to them. All from various branches of film production company All3Media, they chose visibility, solidarity and empowerment are the main themes to discuss, as well as the value of championing social justice and maintaining the freedom to express themselves freely.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your career

Antóin: I am a script editor in Hollyoaks and have had a successful career in Ireland as a screenwriter/cultural commentator. In Ireland I’ve written for Red Rock, Callan’s Kicks, and my own original shorts, An Mhallacht and Rúbaí.

Rúbaí was an international smash that played at Tribeca, won awards internationally and is now on the Irish language curriculum. I’m also a cultural commentator on Irish language radio and sometimes write articles for Irish media outlets.

Camille: I am a 34-year-old neurospicy French Argentinian living in London. I am fairly new to the industry; I joined the finance team last year and very recently made the move to the wonderful formats team.

When I am not working or watching shows I enjoy a variety of activities, including playing the guitar, singing, travelling, volunteering with asylum seekers, and learning new skills.  I have a strong interest in social justice and like using my skills to raise awareness and inspire action. I'm also an active committee member of my LGBTQIA+ boxing club - a community incredibly important to me, where I am committed to supporting its members and creating a safe and inclusive space for all.

James: Some of my personal interests are fashion, antiques, making perfume, afternoon tea, and tea cultures. I find the fashion industry fascinating and love to keep up with the latest trends, particularly tailoring. Antiques offer a glimpse into the past, and I enjoy learning about the history and significance of different items. Making perfume is a creative and sensory experience that I find both challenging and rewarding.

I also enjoy the tradition of afternoon tea and I'm intrigued by the customs of different tea cultures around the world. Career wise, I’ve been in payroll for around 13 years! I’ve been fortunate enough to have opportunities to learn and grow within the industry and I’m passionate about what I do.

Pick one word to explain what Pride means to you.

Antóin: Visibility.

Camille: Solidarity.

James: Empowerment.

Why did you pick that word?

Antóin: Growing up I never had gay role models – the first time I saw gays on TV, I was about 15 and saw them on Queer as Folk. Even though the show didn’t accurately represent my life or me – it did show me that I wasn’t alone. I’m from a very rural area of Ireland (we don’t even speak English there) so to be connected to people like me was very important as homosexuality was only decriminalized in Ireland in 1993. They weren’t freaks; they weren’t weirdos – they were just people living their lives.

In my own writing I write about marginalised characters with an LGBTQ+ lens. Visibility is the most important thing to me as it normalizes members of the LGBTQ+ community in the wider community. I’ve never hidden my sexuality since I came out and it was being visible and not being ashamed in Ireland, during the time of the marriage equality referendum was what passed the vote. Also, personally I’ve had people tell me that they had to courage to come out due to my own visibility which makes me more emboldened to live my life, my way and that’s incredibly liberating for me.

Camille: Pride is about coming together as a community and showing support for one another. It's a time to celebrate progress and recognise the work that still needs to be done to achieve true equality and inclusion for all LGBTQ+ people.

We need the support of our allies and everyone in the community all year round to truly enact change. Solidarity is what brought us to this point and solidarity is what will get us to where we need to be.

James: For me Pride represents a sense of empowerment as it allows individuals to express themselves freely, celebrate their identities, and promote acceptance and equality.

Why do you think Pride is important?

Antóin: Pride is important because it shows us how far we have come, but also what we still have to overcome. It’s vital to have a day where you can raise issues on a national level.

Camille: It is an opportunity for people of all identities to come together, show solidarity, and demand equality and justice for all.

Behind the rainbows and glitter, let’s not forget that pride was, and STILL is, a protest. Pride is not just a celebration; it is a call to action.

James: It is a time for individuals to come together, feel proud of who they are, and stand up for their rights.

What is your best Pride memory?

Antóin: My favorite memory of Pride is being with all my friends at Belfast Pride last August. It’s taken me years, but I’ve got a great bunch of LGBTQ+ friends who are like family to me and I’ve never been happier than that day. I’m so proud of all my friends and I that we continue to thrive in a way that wasn’t possible before.

Camille: Marching in the Pride London parade alongside my LGBTQ+ Boxing club and performers was a truly special occasion. The sight of people of all ages in the crowd, smiling, clapping, and joining in our celebration was incredibly heart-warming. The outpouring of support we received along the way, through heartfelt messages and cheers, only added to the profound meaning of the experience.

For many of us, being a part of this event felt like representing the visibility and inclusivity that we didn't have as children. It was a wholesome and unforgettable reminder of the importance of the LGBTQIA+ community with allies coming together to celebrate our identities and promote acceptance.

James: I was part of the 2018 parade in London with a group of media companies. We walked alongside the ITV presenters which was great fun. It was such a happy day; the sun was out, and the atmosphere was electric.

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