Pride Month and Why It Matters
Contours team member Finn digs into just why pride month is so important.
Pride Month and Why It Matters
https://www.contours.co.uk/pride-month
by Finn Walsh
As Pride 2026 officially kicks off, I cannot help but think back on the many changes that have happened with regards to the LGBTQ+ community in my lifetime.
I’m Finn, a self-proclaimed “Superdupervisor” here at Contours Holidays HQ. I am also a 28-year-old gay cisgender man, having been “unapologetically out and proud” for at least 17 of those years.
It really makes me glad to see the progress society has made regarding inclusivity and acceptance so far, and I’m hopeful that this progress only continues to spread across the world. That is, after all, what Pride Month is all about.
Many people still ask why we need Pride, and though my common answer is “why not?” I still think it’s worth offering a more detailed explanation for those who just want to be more informed.
Pride is still a protest as much as it is a celebration, and until the day comes where we do not have to think twice before holding hands with our same-sex partners, where there’s no need to double check if we risk imprisonment (or worse) when deciding where to go on holiday, and where people can transition without a wave of ignorant backlash, we will celebrate our community loudly and fabulously.
I wanted to write this blog to offer a wee peek into how a member of the LGBTQ+ community (i.e. yours truly) may have differing experiences when out and about, and how we at Contours strive to offer a safe and supportive service so that everyone can enjoy the UK countryside worry-free.
As mentioned above, I am very much unmistakeably gay to anyone blessed with vision and/or hearing, and I have always been this way. I was lucky growing up to have a family that taught me to be proud of who I am and to not hide myself for the convenience of others.
This did attract trouble when I was younger, when being gay was still widely considered a negative thing, and I was the target of a variety of jokes and insults. I have also had my fair share of public confrontations (which I am definitely not alone in facing) so I understand first-hand why many LGBTQ+ members would behave with extra caution and anxiety when out and about.
Something as innocent as going to a restaurant or staying at a hotel with a partner can still to this day draw unwanted attention, simply because you’re same-sex presenting.
Though times have certainly changed since I was younger, I still instinctively keep my wits about me in everyday scenarios.
If I’m booking a hotel, for example, I will always give both our full names for the booking — “Mr Me and Mr Him in a double-bedded room” — just to be sure there are no surprises when we arrive. It is the same when I’m on a walk and need help for whatever reason; I am hesitant around asking strangers for directions and instead will lock-in on rainbow flag-bearing people and businesses like a homing pigeon!
I have stayed in a few rather frosty hotels with my boyfriend before, and I don’t mean the heating was broken! We would walk up to the reception desk, full of holiday glee, and get looked at as if we had dragged in a dead horse behind us.
I have developed a very thick skin over time, so I pay no attention to these kinds of people, however others may hold this reaction in their mind for years. An experience like this could mean a person is too scared to explore unfamiliar places, too anxious to request a double room for them and their partner, or too nervous to ask a stranger for help in an emergency.
I am very fortunate to work in a forward-thinking business that takes these kinds of concerns seriously.
Off the top of my head, I remember a family holiday booking coming in where a same-sex married couple expressed fears about how they may be treated by their accommodations due to past encounters. It is our highest priority that customers feel safe and happy on their holidays around the UK, and we have a department dedicated to researching all the accommodations we use to ensure everyone receives a warm welcome and the best possible service at every stop on their walk.
As well as this, our 24/7 phone support means that a friendly, non-judgemental voice will always be on hand to help in case of hiccoughs (okay, we may judge you if you’re hiking in flip-flops or you haven’t packed any rain gear, but we will still help however we can!)
Another memorable moment took place just last year, where a misunderstanding gave the impression that two of our customers (another same-sex couple) were not permitted to share a bed in an accommodation. This, it transpired, was simply a busy owner misreading an email and thankfully there was never an issue, but the reaction from the team was immediate! We did have to set down the pitchforks and torches when the dust had settled, but it was nevertheless heartening to see how passionate and caring my colleagues are when it comes to helping customers from all walks of life.
While we at Contours are staunch supporters of inclusivity and acceptance, I know there is still a way to go before everyone everywhere can live safely as themselves, and this is why we celebrate Pride Month as a company and as individuals!
Not only do we put on an annual internal bake sale to raise money for LGBTQ+ charities (like we need an excuse to eat cake anyway!) but we are also reaching out to local pride events to see how we can be involved. It really is just wonderful to see how many of my colleagues are proving to be such fantastic allies!
Wishing everyone a fantastic Pride Month!
Tour Operations Supervisor
The key to success is 5% hard work and 95% making cookies for the office.
