Dan Howell went to Pride for the first time, and had the best sign
Dan Howell went to Pride in London for the first time (Stonewall)
YouTube star Dan Howell attended Pride in London for the first time after coming out as gay, and he had an amazing sign.
The YouTuber and former Radio 1 presenter, who came out as gay in June, attended the Pride march on Saturday (July 6).
Howell took part in the march alongside campaigners from Stonewall, as part of the ‘Together in Pride’ coalition of LGBT+ groups.
He carried a sign referencing his YouTube coming out video, that reads: “We’re here, we’re queer. We’re still filled with existential fear.”
Dan Howell on ‘overwhelming’ first Pride experience
In a video for Stonewall, he explained: “I’m here today at Pride in London, which is actually my first ever Pride in my life, yay me.
“We cannot leave anyone behind, which is what Pride should always be about.”
“I’m marching together on behalf of Stonewall with UK Black Pride and Mermaids, to show that when we’re fighting for equality, we cannot leave anyone behind, which is what Pride should always be about.”
On Twitter, he added: “we can’t leave anyone behind in the fight for equality – that’s why at my first ever pride I was honoured to #StandTogether with an amazing group of diverse charities marching in solidarity.”
Howell added that the parade was an “overwhelming” experience as someone who had just come out, explaining: “so much love and acceptance for a thing I struggled with all my life.
“Really makes me feel loved and gives me hope for our future.”
“When we’re fighting for equality, we can’t leave anyone behind” – @danielhowell #PrideInLondon #TogetherInPride pic.twitter.com/lQsNasFHQ9
— Stonewall (@stonewalluk) July 6, 2019
Howell has more than 6.6 million subscribers on YouTube, while his coming out video received 9.2 million views.
Other familiar faces marching with the Together in Pride coalition include Little Mix stars Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and trans actress Rebecca Root.
LGBT+ charities march as ‘Together in Pride’
Stonewall CEO Ruth Hunt explained: “This 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising is a chance to pay homage to those who came before us and recognise how their courage paved the way for the progress we’ve made.
“That’s why at this year’s Pride in London, Level Up, Mermaids, Imaan, Stonewall, UK Black Pride, ParaPride, Sparkle and many other LGBT+ groups from different parts of our communities will be marching as one collective group – Together in Pride.
“It is by standing together, arm in arm with each other, that we show the true power and resilience of our diverse community.”
