Gay London Life | July Pride '26 Edition - Magazine - Page 78
Ask Maria Hurtz
Advice with Heart, Humour & Heels
Pride is wonderful. It’s also expensive,
messy and occasionally ends with you bringing
home a traffic cone. From disastrous outfits
and overexcited allies to whirlwind romances
and post-parade dilemmas, we’ve handed your
burning questions to the fabulous Maria Hurtz.
Her advice? Questionable in places, but
always entertaining.
I’ve spent £300 on Pride, and it
My company loves Pride in June
hasn’t even started yet. Is glitter
and forgets we’re gay in July.
tax-deductible?
Should I be offended?
Darling, if HMRC ever introduces a
Ah yes, the annual rollout of the
category called “Emotional Support
corporate rainbow.
Sequins,” you’ll be first in line for a
rebate.. I said rebate!
If you’re a working gurl and you can
One month of colourful logos is
lovely. Twelve months of inclusion is
way better honey.
prove that it’s ’wholly and exclusively’
The real test isn’t what happens
use for trade, then you’re laughing
during Pride Month. It’s what happens
bade - and let’s hope your trade is too!
during hiring, promotions, workplace
My advice? Stop looking at your bank
policies and everyday culture.
balance until August and refer to all
purchases as “community services.”
Remember: you can make your
So should you be offended?
Perhaps. Should you ask
questions? Absolutely.
money back eventually. Much like
Set up a EDI Network, or tap
your dignity after the after-party.
into one you already have on st
Maria x
your company. A rainbow lanyard
is not a substitute for meaningful
My Pride outfit looked iconic
support, darling.
online. In reality, I looked like a
Maria x
disco lampshade. What now?
My love, have you considered that
My boyfriend wants to watch the
disco lampshades are fabulous?
parade. I want to party for 12 hours
Social media is a carefully
straight. Who’s right?
curated illusion. Pride is a glorious,
Honey. You are both right!
sweaty, chaotic reality.
Nobody remembers who
The beauty of Pride is that it
means different things to different
looked perfect. They remember
people. For some, it’s celebration. For
who looked joyful.
others, community, visibility, protest
Besides, if enough sunlight
reflected off your outfit to temporarily
or connection.
My recommendation? Watch
disrupt local air traffic, I’d call that a
the parade together, soak up the
success. Wear it again next year.
atmosphere and then release your
But if it’s really that bad, grab
boyfriend into a sensible afternoon
some extra bits and zhuzh it up a bit!
while you disappear into the night
Maria x
like a glitter-covered folklore
creature.
Compromise is the foundation
of every successful relationship.
That and agreeing never to discuss
what happened after midnight.
Maria x
www.proudfoxceremonies.com
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