Coffee Flamingo Blog
Why we Celebrate Pride? Is it still necessary?
Many people ask, why do we still need Pride events? There are many reasons for why Pride is needed and so important today. Here's why we're celebrating Pride. To start, Pride isn't just 'gay people' partying. It does involve celebrations but it includes everyone from the community, whether you are lesbian, trans, bisexual, asexual, non-binary, queer, or identify as someone outside the 'traditional norms'. It's a way to come together and feel part of a strong community. It's a way to amplify those that need a voice. It's a way to educate. And it's a way to thank those who fought for the community and gave us what we have today. The message is just as important today as it was when the first Pride matches took place in the 1970s. Sill in 2021 LGBTQ+ people are discriminated against. This year we had the news of an Iranian gay man, Alireza aged 20, who was murdered by his brother after he found out he was gay. There are still 72 countries that criminalise same sex relationships, 8 of which it is punishable by death. In a 4 year period there were 1,612 trans people killed across 62 countries. You may think, 'but we're more tolerant in Britain and Europe'. True, but a Stonewall study in 2017 found that 1 in 5 LGBT people had experienced a hate crime in the previous 12 months, and that increased to 2 in 5 for trans people. 1 in 10 LGBT people experience online abuse aimed at their gender or sexual orientation. 50% of all LGBT students reported they frequently hear homophobic slurs when at school. Not to mention that when we were growing up there was not one mention of anything other than straight people during formal education. So it's important for us to set the example, show case LGBTQ+ people and normalise 'being different'. For us personally, Pride also represents the ability to be yourself and feel comfortable with who you are. Everyone is there to support and uplift each other, no matter their background or preference. Everyone is celebrated. This creates an atmosphere that is unlike any other. It's special. Dan marched in the London Pride parade with Stonewall Football Club, which he was part of for a number of years and the club still holds a special place in his heart. All of these things are why we wanted to show our appreciation for Pride month. To celebrate we are doing lots of fun and interesting things on our social media and we've even created a Limited Edition Pride Pack Remember Heather Small asking "What have you done today to make you feel proud?". Just being you is something to be proud of! Stay safe online - https://www.cyberghostvpn.com/privacyhub/lgbtq-online-security/ James & Dan
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Pandemic sparks ‘flamboyant’ dream
Based in Surrey, Dan and James decided to launched a coffee brand. Who’s name and spirit is inspired by their affection for flamingos – a group of which is a known as a flamboyance. Our coffee range focusses on our favourite coffee roasts and blends. It offers opportunity to ‘join the flamboyance’ and subscribe to receiving regular coffee deliveries, as well as one off purchases. They aimed to make it easy and simple for customers to understand what flavours they may like by removing the coffee jargon. Check out our shop. Coffee Flamingo has been an idea that we always kicked down the road and never believed we could achieve. But the pandemic really opened our eyes to the fact that you really never know what could happen tomorrow. This was the kick we needed to say, “let’s do it”, take the risk, and see what happens. We want to spread the joy we get from coffee… and flamingos. Find out more about us and how we came up with Coffee Flamingo by reading Our Story
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The Barn at Sollo Joins the Flamboyance!
Sollo London are teaming up with Coffee Flamingo to relaunch The Barn at Sollo, in the heart of Reigate. Hidden away behind Sollo London on Reigate High Street is a beautiful secret garden and café called The Barn at Sollo. The Barn is no secret to coffee shop goers in Reigate, but with disrupted service due to COVID restrictions, Sollo London owners Marlla Maranhão and Darryl Church decided to close The Barn in 2021. The Coffee Flamingo name and spirit is inspired by our affection for flamingos – a group of which is known as a flamboyance. Coffee Flamingo aims to keep coffee simple and easy to understand with a stylish vibrant brand, and most importantly delicious. We will aim to take this ethos into The Barn from 22st March 2022. We have teamed up to refresh The Barn, making it a cosy, uplifting space, while keeping it’s charm that so many locals love. It now futures a very Instagram-able vibrant flamingo mural, additional seating and beautiful artwork. Of course, Reigate’s favourite garden seating continues to be a beautiful, tranquil space that is also now heated to keep customers warm on cooler days and evenings whilst enjoying a fabulous view of the Reigate Methodist Church. The Barn will be serving our ‘Brazil’ coffee, a selection of pastries and sweet treats, plus an array of breakfast and lunch items. Regular evening events will be on offer throughout summer and into autumn, and if that wasn’t enough, they will also offer venue hire for your special occasions. When we first started discussing this idea, we knew it was too good to miss. The Barn is such a beautiful space with bags of potential and we’re so excited to be teaming up with Darryl and Marlla. The Barn powered by Coffee Flamingo really is something completely different to what you’ll find in the rest of Reigate. or the surrounding area and we aim to make it the best coffee shop in town.
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