Brighton Pride 2025: Weaponising Joy, One Sequin at a Time
– 2 min read
By Liran Notik, Scene Magazine
If Brighton had a national currency, it would be sequins. And at Pride on the Park 2025, they were in full glittery circulation. The day was a shimmering catwalk of camp, colour, and questionable practicality—because nothing says summer like strutting through Preston Park in six-inch heels while eating rainbow ice cream.
I wandered through the crowd, collecting three-word self-descriptions from festivalgoers like a magpie on a mission: “Old, camp, glittery.” “Cute, cuddly, summery.” “Slutty, baby-babble, fluffy.” It was a glorious parade of adjectives, proving once again that Pride is the one place where you can be sparkly, impractical, and still the most sensible person in the field.
Interview hosted by Liran Notik, Videographer: Jessica Bainbridge
But beyond the boas and body paint, there was something deeper running through the park. People spoke of Pride as love, inclusivity, and the freedom to be your true self. One person described it as “weaponising joy”—a phrase I’m now seriously considering getting tattooed. Others talked about breaking out of boxes, breaking down misconceptions, and simply talking to each other. “When we’re afraid of something, we don’t want to engage with it,” one attendee told me. “But if you ask questions, you’ll find you have more in common than you think.”
The conversations weren’t just political—they were deeply personal. A parent shared their journey of embracing their son’s sexuality: “You just have to say, you’re my child, you’re my family, and I love you.” It was the kind of quiet, unconditional love that holds the glitter and the banners together.
And that’s the beauty of Brighton Pride—it’s loud and colourful, but it’s also tender and profoundly human. Even under the grey skies and drifting clouds, the park was glowing with warmth that had nothing to do with the weather. Pride here isn’t just an event—it’s a yearly love letter to joy, defiance, and being gloriously yourself. And if that means wearing sequins under clouds? Darling, they sparkle just as well.
Written by
TV host, presenter, and content creator. Based in the UK, Liran works as a correspondent and reporter, regularly appearing on red carpets, lifestyle programs, and entertainment segments.
