It’s not every day you get to celebrate your 200th birthday.

But that’s exactly what the Royal National Lifeboat Institution has been up to this year!

As the huge milestone year comes to a close; Siobhán Fletcher looks back at how and why the RNLI come into existence.

She also takes a tour of Manx National Heritage’s ‘All at Sea’ exhibition, held at the House of Manannan, to explore the pillars of the RNLI’s foundation.

(With thanks to the RNLI and Allison Fox at MNH!)

LGBTQ+ rights activist Andrew Lumsden died this week, aged 82.

Fighting for gay rights since the 1960s, Andrew was at the first Pride march held in London in 1972.

He was a core member of the Gay Liberation Front and he founded Gay News, the first legal LGBTQ+ publication following the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967.

He spoke to Siobhán Fletcher, as part of our 'A Brief History of Pride' series, broadcast earlier this year.

In this special bonus episode, she presents that conversation in full.

Last time, we went looked back at last year’s Isle of Pride event and heard a little about why you won’t see one on the same scale at the Villa Marina this year.

In this, the fifth and final episode, we look at the worldwide context in 2023, and ask 'do we still need Pride?'

Siobhán Fletcher presents - A Brief History of Pride.

Last time, we went back to the early nineties – when Tynwald passed a law decriminalising homosexuality in the Isle of Man.

In this fourth episode, we’re going to look back at last year’s event, and hear a little about why you won’t see one on the same scale at the Villa Marina this year.

Siobhán Fletcher presents - A Brief History of Pride.

Last time, we went back to the early nineties – when Tynwald passed a law decriminalising homosexuality in the Isle of Man.

In this third episode, we’re jumping forward a few decades, to hear about what went into organising the first public Pride held here at home.

Siobhán Fletcher speaks to members of the Isle of Pride committee to talk the historic event, which took place in the Villa Marina Gardens in Douglas.

We're now two weeks into June, the month marked the world over as Pride month. 

Now that we've looked at the international origins of the Pride movement, it's time to turn the focus a little closer to home.

In this second episode, Siobhán Fletcher looks at what life was like here on the Isle of Man before decriminalisation, and speaks to the people who fought for change.

As is the case in places all over the world – right here on the Isle of Man, June is Pride month.

But what is Pride and where did it come from? Confused? Never fear! Siobhán Fletcher is on hand to take you on a crash course through its history.

In this first episode, she looks back at the origins - from the Stonewall Uprising in NYC, to the formation of the Gay Liberation Front in London.

Photo: The Stonewall Inn, New York City, photographed in July 2016.