Antarctica is about to have its first ever Pride

Antarctica is set to have its first ever Pride event – thanks to a group of LGBT people based in an Antarctic research centre.

A group of 10 LGBT+ people based at the United States’ McMurdo
Station – around 850 miles away from the South Pole – have begun
preparations for their first ever Pride celebration, including taking a
photo of the group outside of the base.

Shawn Waldron and Evan Townsend came up with the idea for the event, telling NewNowNext they plan to commemorate Pride during June’s Pride Month.

However, the pair were forced to begin preparations in April before
Antarctica was plunged into constant darkness for multiple months.

“Why not take this photo and let people see that there’s queer representation—even at the end of the earth,” Waldron said.

There are currently only 133 people currently stationed at McMurdo
for the winter, but almost 900 people work in the base during the summer
months.

Despite the small number of people, the base has a thriving LGBT
community. Although much of their time on the base is spent working, the
community is able to host events and even watch the third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.

Townsend stated: “We had a few LGBTQ social events that people showed
up to and also because it’s such a small community, it’s easy to find
out who is and who isn’t in the LGBTQ community.

“My biggest fear before I left was, I’m going to be the only gay person, there’s going to be no one else here. I was wrong.”

Antarctica is about to have its first ever Pride