HARDWARE store Wickes has been praised by the LGBTQ+ community for its float at Brighton Pride.
The float featured two signs, which read “No LGB without the T” and “Ban conversion therapy for all”, showing solidarity with transgender people.
Conversion therapy is the pseudoscientific practice of attempting to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity to align with heterosexual or other norms.
While the government has outlined plans to outlaw the practice for sexuality, the ban will not apply to transgender people.
Pride-goers took to Twitter to praise the firm for its support, with one saying: “The wishy-washy ‘Happy Pride’ most companies put our, whilst doing nothing else, gets boring.
“This is a much bolder, much better way of showing you care, and being unapologetic about it.”
The float was also emblazoned with various Pride flags and colour names like “Perfectly Pan”, “Gloriously Gay”, and “Quirky Queer”.
“My Pride flag is now a Wickes colour chart,” another Twitter user said.
My Pride flag is now a Wickes colour chart https://t.co/ZPv8PFtwNm
— joe (@balf4our) August 6, 2022
However, the LGB Alliance, which opposes gender-identity education in schools and gender recognition reform, criticised the float's messaging and said: "They cannot seriously believe that lesbians, gay men and bisexuals may not organise in our own interests without the permission of trans people."
Wickes took to Twitter to celebrate Brighton Pride and said they were “proud to take part to celebrate their 30th year and even prouder of our LGBTQ+ network who work hard every day to make sure everyone can feel at home at Wickes.”
Proud to take part in @PrideBrighton this weekend to celebrate their 30th year, and even prouder of our LGBTQ+ Network who work hard every day to make sure everyone can feel at home at Wickes #BrightonPride #LetsDoItWithPride #LGBTWithTheT pic.twitter.com/Yl4jP69gKC
— WICKES (@Wickes) August 6, 2022
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