To mark its third birthday the Proud2Be Project have released a video featuring project founders Mat and Jon Price reflecting on their journey with Proud2Be over the last three years.
South Devon based, Proud2Be exists to empower all lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning & intersex (LGBTQI) people to be proud of who they are.
The gay identical twin brothers Mat and Jon talk candidly with one another about their experiences and the things they are most proud of.
In the video Mat says: “I’m really proud that Proud2Be offers something different…and it may be that you have lots of messages in your life that tell you that you should be ashamed, but there is a message out there that says you don’t need to be.”
The Totnes-based social enterprise began when the brothers sat in front of their web cam and recorded a short video. In the video they explained how they are both “proud to be gay”.
Since then a number of high profile LGBT figures have contributed to the international campaign including Peter Tatchell, international bestselling author Andrew Solomon, political activist Christine Burns MBE and Stephen Fry who said: “I am happy to be counted as a supporter of Proud2Be at every turn”.
Earlier this month Proud2Be announced human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell as their new Patron.
Peter said: “I’m very proud to be a Proud2Be patron. Congratulations on your wonderful work for the LGBT community. Much admiration and appreciation”
As well as running the campaign, Proud2Be; holds a number of social events in South Devon, has their own community radio show, facilitates workshops and provides consultancy to a number of organisations in Devon and Cornwall.
In September of last year, Proud2Be held the first ever Totnes Pride, which saw nearly 1000 people coming from all over Devon & Cornwall, to celebrate the local LGBT community.
Peter Tatchell said about Totnes Pride: “I was very proud to be a part of Totnes Pride 2013. It was a great success, with a wonderful community atmosphere and double the numbers expected…Bring on Totnes Pride 2014!”
Proud2Be are now busy planning this year’s event which will be held on Saturday, September 6 and intend on launching a Devon-wide Youth Service and opening the first rural LGBT community hub in South Devon, next year.
Mat and Jon said: “Through Proud2Be, both of our lives are richer and more fulfilled than we could have ever imagined possible. Over the last three years we have experienced countless life changing moments and have had the privilege of meeting some amazing people, some of whom we are now proud to regard as our greatest friends and supporters. We are as passionate now as when we started the project in our mum’s spare room. We would like to thank all our friends, family, volunteers and supporters. It has been a joy to share the last three years with you. Here is to the next three!”
For more information about the Proud2Be Project and to see the video, CLICK HERE:
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