A man with a learning disability enjoyed attending his first Pride Parade in Birmingham on the weekend, with the help of two support workers from the charity Sense.
Harry Fountaine, 53, has a learning disability and lives in a supported living service in East Devon run by the charity Sense. He is a member of the LGBT+ community and was very excited to attend his first Pride Parade with Sense staff members Rachael and Sharon.
Harry marched in the Birmingham Pride Parade with other people from the charity Sense, who support disabled people up and down the country. Sense believes that disabled people have the right to express their sexuality and identity like anyone else, and a right to loving relationships.
To achieve this, Sense has a team of people who provide custom sexuality and relationship support to disabled people and their support workers. A member of Harry’s support team lent him a blue wig that he wore on the day, and he said he enjoyed making new friends at Pride, including drag performer Crip Ladywood who marched next to Harry (centre pic).
He said he would like to take part in a Pride Parade again, as long as it isn’t raining! “It was really good,” he said.
“I walked the parade with a Drag King in a wheelchair and this was one of the many highlights of the day for me. I am already thinking of Pride events I would like to attend - it was like a great big street party.
“I liked the music and dancing. Everyone looked amazing, with amazing outfits, men with painted nails like me, people on stilts and lots of fabulous hair styles.
“It was nice and I felt proud. Thank you, Rachael and Sharon (left and right in pic), for taking me to Birmingham, I had a great day.”
