Ok. So everyone has a view on Brighton Pride. Here’s mine. I personally had an amazing one this year.
THE best it’s been for years and that is down to a small group of people who worked effortlessly all year round to deliver such an amazing event.
The parade is and always will be amazing and life affirming. This year it was ALL about the park.
Preston Park on the Saturday was gayer than it’s been for years.
The atmosphere was calm, welcoming and I felt safe (probably because it was gayer then previous years) and the BME stage was actually full of BME people!! So diverse ”
The park was spotless! No rubbish or litter as if it was it was picked up straight away.
The production values were second to none. I could have been at Hyde Park it was that good and security were fantastic, chatty and smiley. (That’s what you want)
The political message behind Pride was very loud and very clear. It was heartening that the politics behind Pride was at the forefront. And it was a message that resonated with me as a non white member of the LGBT+ communities.
When I went in to town it was the polar opposite. Very, very straight anything but welcoming, calm and safe (apart from the venue’s I played at who were very conscious of creating a LGBT+ positive safe space). It literally felt like a war zone. This had nothing to do with Pride the organisation.
Everyone has a different experience of Pride. This is mine.
Brighton and Hove Pride is not the issue, nor is it the LGBTQ+ communities but the fault of individuals outside of it.
If the straight community want some of the fun, respect and understand why it’s there in the first place. It’s not about sticking a rainbow on your forehead or glitter on your tits.
Whilst Pride actively encourages our allies to join us, this should not be at the expense of the communities for whom Pride is all about.
Yes Pride has got too big but that isn’t the fault of Pride the organisation but the fault of every other business who wants a slice of the action, many of whom do not give anything back to the LGBTQ+ communities.
We as members of the LGBT+ communities need to #standtogether. Stop squabbling with each other. It’s still our Pride. So get involved and support Pride the organisation to make it the inclusive event we collectively want and need to reflect our lived experience. The street party and the cash-in events say nothing about us.
We still need this Pride. If for nothing else but to generate money for lots of our community organisations that would go under if it wasn’t for the income Pride donates.
If you are the one of the many straight people on my Facebook Feed moaning about Pride, simple solution – DON’T COME. Allow the space for a person who wants to support our wide and varied :GBT+ communities. And if you do want to come, understand why we need a Pride in the first place and be thankful you don’t.
Thank you to Paul Kemp and all of the Pride team and the amazing HeSheThey team, absolutely loved it. 1BTN for all your hard work and efforts with the parade. The beautiful and glorious BitchPlease family, you all rocked. Same time next year please Xxxxxx
Affy Wajid
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