At Kingdom Academy, we work with people from all walks of life. Whether they’re learning a new skill, training for a new role or returning to education after time away, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe and supported while they grow.
That’s why Pride Month isn’t just symbolic for us: It is a meaningful reminder of the work we do all year round. For our LGBTQ+ learners and colleagues, visibility and belonging are not guaranteed. Pride helps us focus on what inclusion really looks like in practice.
While many people think the UK has ‘moved on’, Pride is still necessary. Here’s why we believe that Pride still matters in 2025…
Pride Is Still About Being Seen
The Office for National Statistics reported that around 3.2% of people in England and Wales identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or another non-heterosexual identity. That’s about 1.5 million people¹.
Yet for many, being fully open about who they are still comes with risks. Whether it’s a fear of judgement, discrimination at work or social exclusion, the message that “you don’t belong” can come through in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.
Pride challenges that. It makes space for people to be visible on their own terms. It reminds the wider community that identity isn’t a trend or a debate – it is who someone is.
For educators, tutors, and leaders in training and employment, supporting visibility means asking: Are we really creating environments where people can show up as themselves?
The Fight for Equality Isn’t Over
We’ve made progress, yes… But there’s more to do.
Mental health data tells a clear story. LGBTQ+ individuals are still far more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Stonewall found that half of LGBTQ+ people had experienced symptoms of depression in the past year. Among trans individuals, nearly half had considered taking their own life³.
Young LGBTQ+ people are especially at risk. One in eight aged 18 to 24 has attempted suicide³. And in the UK today, LGBTQ+ youth are still disproportionately affected by homelessness – they are 120% more likely to experience it than their peers².
These are not distant issues. They affect learners, colleagues and future leaders in our classrooms and workplaces. Pride helps keep these challenges visible, and helps us recommit to removing the barriers people still face.
Pride in the Workplace and Beyond
A lot of people assume the workplace is more inclusive now. But many LGBTQ+ employees still feel pressure to hide who they are.
According to Stonewall, more than a third of LGBTQ+ staff have hidden their identity at work out of fear of discrimination. Almost one in five have experienced negative conduct from colleagues³.
Inclusion isn’t just about what’s written in a policy – it’s about culture. It’s in the language we use, the behaviours we challenge, and the way we make space for others.
At Kingdom Academy, we help learners build the confidence to thrive in their roles. Feeling safe to be yourself is a huge part of that. And that’s why Pride remains relevant in professional development too.
Why Pride Month Is Still Important In The UK in 2025 - Solidarity Is Global
Even as we celebrate progress in the UK, we can’t ignore the reality elsewhere.
As of 2024, same-sex relationships are still criminalised in 65 countries. In 12 of those, it is punishable by death⁴.
Pride is a time to show solidarity – not just with those in our cities and classrooms, but with people around the world whose basic rights are still denied. Supporting LGBTQ+ rights here helps create a culture of empathy, visibility and action globally.
How to Be an Active Ally to the LGBTQ+ Community
You don’t need to be an expert to be supportive – just willing to listen, learn and act. Here are some everyday ways to be a better ally:
Be curious
Educate yourself about LGBTQ+ identities, histories and issues. Understanding the basics helps avoid harmful assumptions.
Speak up
Challenge prejudice when you hear it… Even if it’s said as a ‘joke’. Silence can feel like agreement.
Listen
Support people on their terms. Use correct names and pronouns, and respect their experiences.
Make space
Whether you’re a manager, tutor, parent or peer, think about who’s missing from the conversation – and invite them in.
Why Pride Still Matters in 2025: Visibility, Belonging and the Fight for Equality – Because Pride Is Everyone’s Responsibility
At Kingdom Academy, we believe inclusion is ongoing work. It’s not about having the perfect policy or knowing all the right words, it’s about building spaces where people are treated with respect and empathy, every day.
Pride Month helps us remember that progress is possible, but never automatic. It invites us to recommit to inclusion, to challenge injustice, and to celebrate the diversity that strengthens us all.
Because when everyone can thrive, we all do better.
Sources
¹ Office for National Statistics (2021). Sexual orientation, UK: 2021.
² AKT (2021). LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness Report.
³ Stonewall (2018). LGBT in Britain: Health Report.
⁴ ILGA World (2023). State-Sponsored Homophobia Report.