Pride: Out Loud! presents Jonathan Blake

Join us for a compelling evening with Jonathan Blake, a prominent British HIV activist and the unforgettable star of the film PRIDE! ✊

Jonathan's journey began in the vibrant city of San Francisco in 1981, where he encountered health issues that led him to a sexual health clinic in London. There, he became a landmark figure as the first patient diagnosed with what we now know as HIV in England, earning the title of ‘patient number one’.

His experiences during the dark days of the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s and 1990s, marked by countless funerals and health crises, tell only part of his extraordinary tale. In 1984, amidst a governmental crackdown on coal miners' strikes, Jonathan, alongside a group of socialist activists known as Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, boldly raised funds to support a predominantly heterosexual mining community in South Wales. This act of solidarity defied societal norms and created a lasting impact in the village.

Jonathan's inspiring story of resistance and resilience was beautifully captured in the acclaimed Golden Globe-nominated film PRIDE (2014), where actor Dominic West portrays him during a memorable dance at the miners' social club. 🎬💃

We are thrilled to welcome Jonathan as our first LoudSpeaker in 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity to watch, laugh, and be moved by PRIDE, followed by Jonathan’s engaging talk and Q&A session! 🎤✨