“Where shall we go shopping?” I say. “Merry Hill?” “Oh I thought we’d go to Brum,” says DM. “OK, let’s go by bus”.

We found ourselves in the thick of Pride. It was a delight. There was so much colour, vibrancy and, most of all, love. We are all entitled to love who we love without fear of persecution. Frankly, when it’s done with such exuberance and joy then we all benefit.

The second city played host to the second biggest Pride festival that this country hosts. There were many hundreds (possibly thousands) of participants of all persuasions, colours, costumes and there were rainbows everywhere. The theme is “Love Wins” and it does- love of other human beings, love of life and bravery for standing up for that love without shame. I am delighted that we have come this far even though I know the war isn't over yet.

Many, many years ago I shared a house with a gay man named Ali. He needed me for a “disguise” and I needed him because as a barmaid I was considered an easy target. He protected me from the worst excesses of the punters in the pub. He was a beautiful soul who was out but the man he loved spent all of his time wrestling with his conscience for loving another man. They spent may a chaste night in each other's arms and it killed Ali every time. I moved out and only saw Ali one more time. I don’t know if they ever resolved that issue or if Ali missed out on love because of George’s reticence to commit.

Tens of thousands of us lined the streets today watching, cheering and waving. It was a real carnival atmosphere. Fabulous.