With an estimated 70% of neurodivergent people identifying as LGBT+, Pride is an important celebration for us at MixMatched CIC. Canterbury is the birthplace of our organisation (our very first event was held at community cafe The Big Drum back in 2022) and we have attended the city’s Pride celebrations for the past two years. This year, we were fortunate enough to secure a space in the parade.
We arrived bright and early in the morning at Westgate Gardens to prepare for the parade. The weather was sunny and clear. You could buy hot drinks for £1 each and we observed other local organisations who had come to show their support, from Kent Furs to Deal Pride. Several of our regular performers joined us, including Eli Harnett, Luna Bloomer, and Aaron Kay, along with other Canterbury locals who had discovered our event via Meetup. We unfurled two bannersmade at a workshop earlier that week, plus other signs.
The atmosphere during the parade was electrifying. As we began to march through the streets, onlookers stood on their doorsteps waving tiny rainbow flags, even children and dogs joining in the fun. Once we reached Canterbury city centre, the crowds were bigger: swathes of people gathered round as the parade forged through. Our group chanted our slogans: “Neuroqueer- we are here!” and “Neurodivergent+- listen to us!” A particularly memorable moment was a girl in the crows shouting, “Ooh autistic and LGBT?!” and handing her a Neuroqueer zine.
The parade ended at Dane John Gardens, in which the main event was held. Towards one side of the gardens was the main stage, where local singers and dancers performed, along with noughties throwbacks Sabrina Washington of Mis-Teeq and Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus. We found a space on the grass where we were joined by more of our community over the course of the afternoon. We ate food from a variety of appetising stands and visited stalls from an array of local organisations.