A series of events celebrating Watford's LGBTQI+ community. We hope that you will be a part of this journey and thank you for being here.
Welcome to Proud Watford, where everyone is accepted and greeted with open arms no matter their identity, ability, or disability. We are working hard to achieve is a community where self-expression is celebrated and everyone takes active and ongoing steps toward a wholly inclusive local society that recognises the importance of individuality.
We're having the best time at Herts Pride 😍.
Do come and see the Proud Portraits and say hello.
And a huge thank you again to UD SALON for sponsoring the 'Loos for all of you' - making sure Pride is inclusive for all levels of physical ability along with the LGBTQIA community.
Exciting news!
At Herts Pride this year, the Proud Portraits will decorate Proud Watford’s ‘Loo for all of you’, prioritising children and adults with disabilities who will be able to use the toilet or be changed with dignity and respect.
Supplied by charity RevoLOOtion, supported by LMB Signs and sponsored by Cassiobury's UD Hair & Beauty Lounge, the ‘Loo for all of you’ sums up Proud Watford’s mission to help the town in its evolution as ‘a place without prejudice’, or as our very own Michelle Davidson says, “Because we’re all different, but we’re all equally important!”
UD SALON
Revolootion
LMB SIGNS
♿️
Come and see the Proud Portraits on Tour at Herts Pride this Saturday.
The Exhibition ties in with Herts Pride's theme ‘Reflections of a Rainbow’ and showcases 19 portraits of people from Watford, set against the colours of the Rainbow Flag. We’ve not included any information about the sitters: nothing about their age, ethnicity, identity, sexuality, disability, ability nor beliefs. Instead, it’s up to people to make their own minds up about both the individuals and what the entire collection means for human equality in 2024 and beyond, There’s an opportunity for everyone to become their own Proud Portrait through the mirror that makes the Exhibition complete.
Buy your tickets at www.hertspride.org
We had such fun yesterday at the mighty Watford FC grounds showcasing the Proud Portraits and demonstrating the inclusivity of the club.
You can find us at Herts Pride next weekend, and St Mary's Watford from 3-5th September.
Only a few days left to bag your advance tickets!
https://www.designmynight.com/uk/whats-on/burlesque-cabaret/herts-pride-2024?fbclid=IwY2xjawEv845leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHdPen4iQdSod_tOQdeQEz-TSo2euGcj_2P52JlYGtJN3V_BAdTotUeublA_aem_jjg_mQlHtrh9W61nkXhuUQ
Thank you so much those who helped with, and visited the Proud Portraits tour at Random Cafe - Sustainable Watford today.
Another glorious day of inclusivity, education and celebration.
If you can't make The Scroll Church today (3.30pm finish!) your next chance to catch the Proud Portraits Free Tour is at the Random Cafe this Saturday 17th August.
Open 11am-3pm, serving donated food saved from landfill, and with a garden growing fresh flowers and food, Random Cafe - Sustainable Watford is a wonderful venue to meet friends and family, relax and also help the community.
https://www.proudwatford.com/event-details-registration/proud-portraits-on-tour-2024-random-cafe
Today is the last day you can catch the Proud Portraits at the Scroll Church on St Albans Road/Harebreaks.
Nobody should have to choose between their faith and their love.
The latest What's On in Watford gives us some interesting new news about the outdoor art and sculpture being planned at the Berkeley Group development on St Albans Road, plus we hear from our favourite Fran Kershaw Fine Art (exhibiting now at Cheslyn Gardens) and Ian Port on our Proud Portraits - currently on tour around Watford (see more here: www.proudwatford.com/events).
An audio round up of all the artistic events happening in and around Watford in Hertfordshire, UK. From Theatre and Film, to Comedy, Dance and Music, this podcast is the noticeboard for all the cultural gems in Watford.
This week we kick off the summer Proud Portraits tour of Watford, with the first venue at atria Watford (upstairs by Superdry).
Come and see the photos in their full glory, see the diversity amongst us, and learn and support our mission to make Watford a Place Without Prejudice.
The Proud Portraits begin their summer tour of Watford this week, with a range of locations across the town, including atria Watford, Random Cafe - Sustainable Watford and Herts Pride.
The arresting accompanying video is being shown at the Big Screen in the High Street, part of a range of free events for Watford residents.
Come and see the portraits on tour, and enjoy the towns free entertainment from films to art and beach fun.
https://www.proudwatford.com/events
Some of you may have seen a distinctive and quite lovely Titian-locked lady called Fran Kershaw at many of our events, helping with scripts and Three Proud Men rehearsals, designing pint glasses, climbing ladders and carrying easels to make sure the Proud Portraits get put up, taken down, and shown in the right place at the right time.
She is local artist Fran Kershaw Fine Art and you can see her exhibition "100 Views of Watford" at Cheslyn Gardens from Thursday this week - see more information here: https://www.watfordevents.com/art-at-cheslyn
Please join us in visiting the exhibition and supporting Fran and other local artists, creators and businesses.
Incoming exhibition, opens next week folks 😁
If you haven't already (why not?), it's time to get your tickets to Herts Pride .
A fantastic day, with a gorgeous and friendly crowd, fantastic entertainment and an atmosphere that's truly happy and welcoming to all.
Another triumphant performance of Three Proud Men.
It brought tears and laughter, and discomfort and joy to the audience, as it should be with such a collection of heartfelt, fascinating and vulnerable life stories.
Stay Proud, you wonderful people.
Lee Keogh Bryan Timberlake Ian Port
Utterly delighted that the LGBT+ student group at St Clement Danes School have raised £300.00 for Proud Watford through their Pride bake sale!
The children really are our future, and with kids like this, the future looks bright indeed ❤️😍🙌.
Top marks; A+++ 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
The Three Proud Men back together again promoting the show and celebrating diversity and inclusion with Allwyn, the new National Lottery operator, who are based in Watford.
If you haven't already, be sure to buy your tickets to see Three Proud Men at the Pumphouse at the Watford Fringe in July.
Today is the one year anniversary of the launch of Proud Watford.
We're delighted to have been made so welcome, to have met and entertained hundreds of Watford residents and visitors, and hopefully made huge strides towards making Watford a Place Without Prejudice.
We could not have done this without the help of our partners and friends at Pump House Theatre & Arts Centre , Watford Council , Herts Pride Proud Hornets and so many others.
Thank you so much, and here's to a future full of more fun, inclusive events and impact.
🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️
Are you LGBTQ+? We would love you to foster with us. Hertfordshire has LGBTQ+ foster children who would benefit from your guidance and support. To find out more visit https://orlo.uk/FX2V9 or call 0800 917 0925.
If you missed this SOLD OUT show in February, you are in for a treat at the Watford Fringe.
Book now so you're not disappointed again!
https://watfringe.co.uk/events/proud-watford-three-proud-men/
Herts Pride
Watford Council
Herts LGBTQ News Hub
Lgbt Nights in Hemel Watford & St Albans
Love is a human right - everywhere ❤
This week we've rightly been commemorating the huge sacrifices our forbears made for our safety.
But some people like Alan Turing were not only ignored, but actively shunned at the time, despite his enormous and unique contribution that many estimates say reduced the duration of the war by two years, and saved tens, if not hundreds of thousands of lives.
Alan Turing was a gay war hero and mathematician who broke the Enigma code at Bletchley Park in WWII, but his story ended in tragedy.
So.. Today Rishi Sunak announced that if they win the election 🙄 the conservatives will legislate so that transgender people have to use the bathroom for their birth gender, even if they have a gender recognition certificate.
So someone who looks like, is legally recognised as, and has lived as their chosen gender potentially for years, will be compelled (how exactly?) to use loos where they will be complained about, ostracised, and possibly violently assaulted for using.
The govt has this weird obsessive phobia about imaginary bearded men in dresses all wanting to access public toilets in order to r**e women. It's odd at least, worrying at its core and frankly dangerous in its application.
How well do they think transmen will be received in a ladies loo?
How safe do they feel transwomen will be in a gents pub toilet?
And why do they think any of us are looking at other people's ge****ls when we go for a wee?
Happy Pride Month people.
The fight is a long way from over.
Being visible helps those who don't have family support, it also shows wider society that we exist and that they need to take our views and lives into account.
It's wonderful to be able to celebrate how far we've come, but also to gather and organise and campaign for full equality for those near and far who can't yet safely be visible.
It's Pride month.
A time when companies rainbow-wash their social media profiles, and we can get swept up in the joy of being able to dance around and celebrate that we can (finally) live our lives authentically.
But this is not a universal experience, nor is it guaranteed to always be the case.
In many countries, some of whom are in a pre-election cycle, who you vote for can fundamentally change the lived experience of your LGBTQI+ friends for better or worse.
We urge you all to be mindful of this when you place your votes.
Quite apart from Pump House Theatre & Arts Centre being our wonderful hosts for Three Proud Men (past and future) we are super excited that our friend Maya Waghorn (of Proud Portraits fame) is performing their musical theatre favourites at the WatFringe - Watford Fringe Festival on 21st July.
Their show is in aid of the NYMT - National Youth Music Theatre bursary fund (helping those whose financial situation would otherwise prevent them from pursuing education/ a career in the performing arts).
Tickets on sale now - don't miss out:
It went VERY well last year - let's do it again! An intimate concert of musical theatre songs, accompanied by a live pianist. Join Maya as they sing through their NEW repertoire and reflect about the world of MT performance. Featuring music from shows including Frozen, Funny Girl and The Prom! This....
Watford
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Come and see the Proud Portraits on Tour at Herts Pride this Saturday. The Exhibition ties in with Herts Pride's theme ‘Reflections of a Rainbow’ and showcases 19 portraits of people from Watford, set against the colours of the Rainbow Flag. We’ve not included any information about the sitters: nothing about their age, ethnicity, identity, sexuality, disability, ability nor beliefs. Instead, it’s up to people to make their own minds up about both the individuals and what the entire collection means for human equality in 2024 and beyond, There’s an opportunity for everyone to become their own Proud Portrait through the mirror that makes the Exhibition complete. #reflectionsofarainbow #hertspride #pride #lgbtqia Buy your tickets at www.hertspride.org
We had such fun yesterday at the mighty Watford FC grounds showcasing the Proud Portraits and demonstrating the inclusivity of the club. You can find us at Herts Pride next weekend, and St Mary's Watford from 3-5th September. #vicarageroadstadium #VicarageRoad #watfordfc
This week we kick off the summer Proud Portraits tour of Watford, with the first venue at atria Watford (upstairs by Superdry). Come and see the photos in their full glory, see the diversity amongst us, and learn and support our mission to make Watford a Place Without Prejudice.
The Proud Portraits begin their summer tour of Watford this week, with a range of locations across the town, including atria Watford, Random Cafe - Sustainable Watford and Herts Pride. The arresting accompanying video is being shown at the Big Screen in the High Street, part of a range of free events for Watford residents. Come and see the portraits on tour, and enjoy the towns free entertainment from films to art and beach fun. https://www.proudwatford.com/events
Who wants to hang out at Allwyn with their fave TV stars? #rupaulsdragrace
Today is the one year anniversary of the launch of Proud Watford. We're delighted to have been made so welcome, to have met and entertained hundreds of Watford residents and visitors, and hopefully made huge strides towards making Watford a Place Without Prejudice. We could not have done this without the help of our partners and friends at Pump House Theatre & Arts Centre , Watford Council , Herts Pride Proud Hornets and so many others. Thank you so much, and here's to a future full of more fun, inclusive events and impact. 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️
If you missed this SOLD OUT show the first time around, then you're in for a treat at the Watford Fringe this year. Book your tickets now so you're not disappointed again. #lgbtqia #pridemonth
If you missed this SOLD OUT show in February, you are in for a treat at the Watford Fringe. Book now so you're not disappointed again! https://watfringe.co.uk/events/proud-watford-three-proud-men/ Herts Pride Watford Council Herts LGBTQ News Hub Lgbt Nights in Hemel Watford & St Albans
Only 10 years ago, gay men and women in the UK still struggled to be legally recognised as their partners next of kin. Let's celebrate the wins, and also remember those who are still fighting to be seen as equal, or even valid, across the globe. #loveislove #gaymarriage #lgbtqia
NOW ON SALE! Grab your tickets now for the Big Queer Quiz! Proud Hornets Watford FC Herts Pride https://www.proudwatford.com/event-details-registration/proud-watford-watford-football-club-proud-hornets-and-herts-pride-present-the-big-queer-quiz
Feminism and the LGBTQIA+ movement have many common goals. You sometimes wouldn't think so, reading the papers. But we are all here to make the world a better place for those who are not always considered, to challenge the default gender and role assumptions of patriarchy. To recognise that privilege and oppression can come in many forms. Happy International Women's Day, Sisters. Together we fight on! “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” ― Audre Lorde #IWD2024 #internationalwomensday #intersectionality
We're delighted to be working on our next event with the support of Watford FC, Herts pride and Proud Hornets. More info to come - but please save the date in your diaries!
We are delighted that our very own star of stage and screen Lee Keogh has been nominated in the Big Heart category at the Heart Hertfordshire Hero Awards. Taking place tonight at Sopwell House, Lee will be taking his place amongst some of the counties' shining examples of community thinking. Please join us in wishing him all the luck in the world. We are so proud of you Lee, you are already a hero to us. 😍🤛🏆 https://campaign.heart.co.uk/heart-hero-2024
Love is love. In all many guises. ❤🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜🖤🩶🤍🤎 Happy Valentine's Day, lovers. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🥰
See Bryan in action in Three Proud Men. The Pump House, 17th February. Buy tickets at: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/proudwatford Pump House Theatre & Arts Centre
This week is #transawarenessweek, and at Proud Watford, we and all our LGBTQIA siblings stand in support of trans rights. 🏳️⚧️ We encourage any young people or their parents who have questions to reach out to @mermaidsgender who provide information and support for trans & non-binary young people and their families. To many the increasing media coverage of trans issues may seem overwhelming, and confusing, and it's hurtful when the lives and worries of real people are used to foster division. Let's treat each other with kindness, and take time to understand the real people behind the sometimes sensationalist clickbait. #transrightsarehumanrights #proudwatford #lgbtqia
Check out the awesome characters from Kinky Boots! 👠🎉✨😉 Our last two performances are completely SOLD OUT! 🤩 and what a privilege it’s been to perform at @watfordpalace 😍 “You change the world when you change your mind” 🌈❤️ #KinkyBoots #Watford #Theatre #ProudWatford
I know this makes your mouth water.. And so it should. With beers from @creativejuicesbrewingcompany, @popesyard, @hudson__place and @bowtiebrewers the Proud Watford Beer Festival is one not to be missed. 11th November, 2-6pm, The Pumphouse Theatre. Buy your tickets on the Proud Watford website. £15 buys you entry, one free beer and a special edition pint glass designed by local artist @frankershaw_fineart
Come and say hello!
