Innocuous

To me, ‘community’ is being able to share an integral part of your identity with a group of people, whether that be your religion, your interests, your nationality etc. Even after coming to terms with my Queer identity it took me a while to feel confident enough to be loud about it and find my place in the LGBT community. In a time when, despite recent progress, it is still illegal to be LGBTQ in 64 UN member States and politicians in the UK continue to spew hatred about my community, the word ‘community’ isn’t something that always feels full of joy. However, I am grateful to have found friends with whom, not only can I be loud about my identity, but also casual. This picture, taken at London Pride, is what being a part of the LGBT community is about for me. Free expression, without expectations.

Stella Harford