Day: August 2, 2014

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, will join the Pride Community Parade on Madeira Drive today.

Commenting on being part of the 2014 Freedom to Live celebrations, Mrs Bourne said: “This is my second year attending Pride in my role as PCC and I’m looking forward to joining colleagues and getting to meet some of the participants who help make it such a fun day.

“It’s the biggest cultural event in the city’s calendar, celebrating the LGBT community and showcasing the city. There will be thousands of people enjoying the carnival atmosphere and celebrating equality for everyone.

“I would also like to invite people to visit my stand in Preston Park as part of my Talk Sussex programme, which is an opportunity for residents to have their say in local policing and crime priorities. The stand is located next door to the Surrey and Sussex Police Diversity Team.

“I wish everyone a happy and safe Pride.”

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has wished everyone attending this weekend’s Pride celebrations in Brighton a happy, safe and enjoyable weekend.

He said: “Pride is always a great occasion and a real celebration of our city’s fantastic diversity. I always look forward to attending and will be marching in the parade again this year. I wish everyone attending this year a safe and enjoyable Pride.”

Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade, also sent a message of praise for the annual festival, which this year will include married same-sex couples for the first time.

Mike and his local conservative colleagues, including Cllr Graham Cox, the newly-selected prospective parliamentary candidate for Hove and Portslade, are committed supporters of Pride.

Mike pushed strongly for LGBT equality in Westminster and first raised the issue of marriage inequality with David Cameron back in 2011. He felt that it was right to make same-sex marriage a priority for the Government.

He said: “I think that it is absolutely incredible that this year we will, for the first time, have married LGBT couples taking part in Pride. The Government was absolutely right to make same-sex marriage a priority. I wish everyone the best for the day.”

Cllr Graham Cox, the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Hove and Portslade, said: “I am delighted to be taking part again in the parade. As my first public event since being selected as the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Hove and Portslade, I look forward to walking with pride that Conservatives pushed ahead and achieved same-sex marriage equality.

Nancy Platts, the Labour prospective parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, said: “I’m proud to support Brighton Pride once again this year and am flying the rainbow flag from my office in support. It’s great to see so many other people, including countless small businesses, showing their colours too and making this a truly rainbow city. I can’t wait for the parade tomorrow and will be taking my place with Labour Party members who have travelled from all over the country to support LGBT equality.”

Purna Sen, The Labour prospective candidate for Brighton Pavilion, drew people’s attention to the fact that yesterday, August 1, the Ugandan Constitutional Court ruled unconstitutional the Anti-Homosexuality Act signed into law by President Museveni in February this year.

She said: “On the occasion of Brighton Pride (2 August 2014) it’s worth remembering three things: that any progress on rights has been won through political struggle, that the struggle is not yet over , so celebration and renewal of commitment must go hand in hand, and that all of us who want to see the realisation of rights must understand their interconnections. 

“After all, Mandela was so right when he said that none of us is truly free unless we all are free.

“Happy Brighton Pride to all today – let’s party but let’s keep up the fight too!”