Pride month is always a special time at Peter Bedford. It’s a chance for us to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ colleagues, tenants, and community members, and to reaffirm our commitment to creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone.
Our LGBTQIA+ group (co-ordinated by PBHA tenants) is at the heart of this work which offers a safe space to talk, be heard, and build solidarity. From group meetups to celebratory events, their work is about more than support—it’s about joy, resilience, and visibility. This year’s Pride Event Celebration on 2nd July, at Isledon Hub, was set up by Anjum Ahmed, Enterprises & Training Manager and featured guest speakers from Saatchi Gallery, our tenants, and Services Committee Board Member Moira (who is also a tenant).
Tom Markwell, Director of Housing Services said:
“As the new Director of Services I was delighted to attend my first PBHA annual Pride event this week. Since I have joined the organisation I have been aware that it is a key date in our calendar and how important it is to our colleagues, tenants, and to our fantastic tenant group. At PBHA we recognise how important creating inclusive communities is for everyone and we are committed to ensuring our homes are places where people can be their best selves and feel that their identity is respected and celebrated. Pride is a great time to celebrate this, but we work towards this 365 days a year. That’s why we are so proud of our joint work with Stonewall Housing Association, and of our recognition as Pioneers by the Housing Pledge.”
At our Pride event on Wednesday, we came together to march, share stories, and reflect. As Beatrice from our group puts it:
“We want to create a space where people can come not only for support, but to celebrate each other. PBHA has a longstanding culture of inclusion, and our new working group, Houseproud accreditation, and Stonewall partnership are all in line with the values that our organisation holds dear, to put tenants at the heart of our work, and hold our differences and diversity with respect and joy.”
Our recently re-formed LGBTQIA+ Working Group at PBHA met online and at Kingsland Hub on June 13, bringing together tenants and staff to discuss how to better support LGBTQIA+ individuals across the organization. With Pride Month in full swing, the group shared information about upcoming events, including PBHA’s own Pride celebration on July 2, London Pride on July 5, Trans Pride on July 26, and Black and Bi Pride events in August. Discussions also focused on accessibility, inclusivity, and returning to more grassroots forms of celebration, such as community picnics.
Looking ahead, the group plans to create a resource list for LGBTQIA+ participants and tenants at Peter Bedford, increase visibility of our Houseproud accreditation, engage younger members and build new cultural partnerships. A survey will soon be launched to better understand what tenants want from the group, ensuring it remains a welcoming space for all.
Important Pride Dates and useful info-links for 2025:
July
Trans+ Pride | Saturday 26th July at 1pm | Langham Place, Westminster, Central London
forum+ Pride Picnic | Saturday 21st July at 2pm | Parliament Hill Viewpoint, Central London
August
Black Pride | Sunday 10th August at 12pm | Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Newham/Hackney
Bi Pride | 31st August at 12pm | Kings Place, Kings Cross, Central London
Borough Guides to Pride:
Opportunities
Hackney Council launches their PRIDE365 grant programme (deadline Monday 28th July at 12pm)