On the meaning of pride.
Darren: Pride is a great celebration of people. And perhaps for people who are not as comfortable in their own skin, to know that there are other people out there that might be going through the same thing - and there also might be people out there, like me, who are fortunate to be able to offer more support.
On finding and keeping community.
Max: Community means everything to me. I don't have any family [in Australia]. So all my friends are this community - not exclusively to LGBT, but all my other friends too. They are really my chosen family. That's the reason I continue to work hard - I want to create a better life for myself and for the people who surround me.
Brighton: A soon as I turned eighteen, I moved out of home. I moved out in search of myself essentially. I saw there was a bigger world out there. And I think community - meeting other people who are similar to you or in similar situations to you - you can learn from each other, no matter if you're at the same point in time or if that's in future as well.
Darren: Life's not always easy, so it's really important to be surrounded by a community that understands you, that loves and respects you. It's really important to belong.
Proud to be.
Photography
BW Creative
We all carry stories of who we are, where we've come from - and where we belong.
As Sydney celebrates Pride, we sit down with some of the BresicWhitney team to understand what makes community, kindness and love so important - for everyone.
"Pride is unapologetic, joyful, and resilient."
Romany Brooks
On kindness, to ourselves, and to others.
Olivia: I find that we are often our own worst critics - and we wouldn't dare talk to our loved ones the same way that we talk to ourselves sometimes. We should give ourselves the same respect and kindness that we give our nearest and dearest, and talk to ourselves in the same way.
Cristian: One way I show support to the people I care about is definitely showing up - whether it's celebrating the wins or being there for them when they're having a rough time. Showing support doesn't always have to be loud. We just need to be present for one another.
On living with pride.
Romany: Pride takes practice. So take pride in yourself, take pride in your community, take pride in those you love and take pride in your life. Practice pride every day. Pride means: unapologetic, joyful, and resilient.
Words to live by:
Cristian: Freedom love and visibility.
Romany: Be yourself - because no body else can.
Furniture by Reddie Design - available at reddie.com.au.
A BW Creative project.
