Community Pride at Coin Street and Pride in Southwark

Coin Street marked Pride Month with events that brought people together to learn, reflect and show support for LGBTQ+ inclusion across the neighbourhood.

Throughout June, colleagues, community members and partners took part in a series of activities shaped by connection, allyship and shared learning.

The programme opened with a screening of It’s A Sin, Russell T Davies’ powerful drama about friendship, love and the impact of HIV and AIDS in 1980s Britain. The discussion that followed highlighted why these stories must continue to be told and heard.

At the Community Pride Month Book Club, participants explored All the Young Men by Ruth Coker Burks, facilitated by Cait Saunders. The conversation focused on compassion, allyship, courage and the difference one person can make when others turn away.

The final event was a Community Pride Lunch & Learn, co-hosted by Keith Winestein and Jason Ehrhart. The panel brought together Raga D’silva, Daniel Fulvio, Matthew Hodson, David Watson and Suzi Fox, who shared personal experiences and encouraged attendees to think deeply about inclusion, representation, trans rights, HIV stigma and community safety. One message resonated throughout the afternoon:

Allyship is not a label. It is something people do, every day.

Coin Street’s Pride activity also extended to Pride in Southwark, where Keith served on the volunteer organising group for a third year. His role expanded to coordinating the Community Village, bringing together charities, public services and local organisations from across Southwark and Lambeth to showcase support available in the area.

The day highlighted the strength of partnership and community action. From recruiting exhibitors and volunteers to coordinating logistics and sharing updates through Coin Street’s communications channels, months of planning came to life through organisations, volunteers and performers.

One memorable moment came shortly before the march, when Keith was handed a megaphone and asked to help lead the chants. “Ogi, Ogi, Ogi”, “Love is Love” and “More Pride Less Prejudice” carried the procession from the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre to Mint Street Park, where participants were welcomed by music, dance and performance.

Coin Street’s Youth and Community Programmes team was also visible throughout the day, with Natalie Bell, Head of YCP, Sarah Vagerson, Volunteer Programme Lead, Eva Korenyi, Community Operations Coordinator, Libbie Jackson Bell and Karmen Jackson Bell helping to create a warm and engaging space. Arts and crafts, badge-making and face painting proved popular with children, families and visitors, while also introducing people to Coin Street’s year-round opportunities.

These activities were made possible by the generosity of colleagues, volunteers, partners and the Pride in Southwark working group. From the early morning set-up at Mint Street Park to the final gathering at The Rising, many people gave their time, energy and enthusiasm to make the day a success.

Pride was visible across the neighbourhood in other ways too. On Riverside Walk, Coin Street flew three large Progress Pride flags near the National Theatre, which is currently showing Pride, a new musical based on the film about LGBTQ+ activists who raised money for a Welsh mining community in 1984. At Oxo Tower Wharf, the traditional red lights were replaced with rainbow colours throughout June, shining as a beacon of hope, inclusion and solidarity.

Although June has ended, the work continues. Building places where everyone feels safe, valued and able to belong is not something that happens for one month each year; it is something to strive for every day.

To find out more about Coin Street’s LGBTQ+ events and other community activities, sign up to the Coin Street newsletter.