A man will be celebrating with the LGBT community this weekend at a Pride event he hopes will have the same impact on others as his first had on him.

Sam Fry, 32, will attend Gravesham's second Pride event this weekend along with some of his work colleagues.

Speaking ahead of the borough's celebration this Saturday, the clinical administrative assistant at the Gravesend-based hospice charity ellenor recalled attending his first Pride event elsewhere a few years ago.

Sam said: "Attending my first Pride felt so amazing. Just to be among people who are like me, and to celebrate that, it was eye-opening.

"It showed me that there’s nothing wrong with the way you are, with who you are. I felt so comfortable.

"From that day on, I said to myself that I’m not going to stop being me.

"I’m proud of who I am, and nothing – or no one – is going to take that from me."

On that day, he wore a T-shirt which read, "Being straight was my phase".

The Gravesend man said he had faced prejudices while growing up.

He said: "Throughout school – and even up until my mid to late-20s – I suffered prejudice.

"I think it comes from people’s lack of comprehension. To this day, you come across those who still don’t get what 'makes someone gay', like it’s something you choose.

"Many can’t understand what it’s truly like to be gay or bi, because all they can see is their straight life and that’s their normal, but what’s normal?

"You’re not different for being gay, but you’re made to feel different because you’re gay.

"You’re made to feel like it’s wrong, and that shouldn’t be the case."

This Saturday's gathering will take place at Fort Gardens, Gravesend, from midday to 7pm.

It aims to promote diversity and inclusion, and raise awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community.

It's a celebration of people coming together in love and friendship, and to show how far LGBTQ rights have come, and where work needs to be done.

Pride began in the US following the Stonewall riots in 1969 which triggered a week of protests and rioting by people from the gay community, who were fed up of being harassed by the authorities.

In the UK, being homosexual was a crime until 1967, and in 2013, the Marriage Act was passed which legalised same-sex marriages.

The Gravesham event is free to attend and will include a march from Community Square to Fort Gardens. The link to the event's website can be found here.

There will also be food and a bar, live entertainment, stalls and a picnic.

The ellenor hospice charity will have a stall and some of Sam's colleagues will also be part of the march, something Sam said he is "overjoyed" about.

He said: "It just shows how much we care for and accept people from all walks of life.

"For ellenor to have a stall, and be part of the parade, to stand up and be counted with us, it’s incredible.

"Pride isn’t just for the LGBT+ community, it’s for everyone.

"To celebrate being gay, being different, our individuality and uniqueness."

• The Somerset Arms, Gravesend, will be hosting the official Gravesham Pride after-party until 2am and has been designated an LGBTQIA+ Safe Space.