Brighton’s gay and gay owned business rallied to highlight the plight of LGBT people in Russia at Brighton Pride on Saturday, August 3.
Brighton Sauna sponsored controversial poet and activist Vince Laws to stage his BANNED happening at Pride.
Before the start of the Parade, Vince painted peoples faces with the names of the 76 countries around the world were it is illegal to be gay, lesbian, bi sexual or transgender.
Kat Harding blessed the Pink Triangle to launch the BANNED happening and gave a passionate speech about equality and human rights. Singers from the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus all dressed identically as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz sang “Your Disco Needs You.”
100 banners were distributed for people to carry on the Pride Parade with the message that LGBT people in Brighton were thinking and supporting LGBT people in Russia through their difficult times since Putin imposed his new anti-gay laws. The banners were designed by Brighton University students Kate Wildblood and Karol Michalec and the campaign inspired by a film made by James Brooks.
Thirty of the 65 floats on the parade agreed to carry a banner supporting all LGBT people in Russia including all local political parties and the Council’s LGBT Workers Forum. However the lesbian Green councillor for Queens Park, Cllr Stephanie Powell declined to carry a banner saying: “they would carry their own banner”.
Other councillors on the Green walking tableau agreed to support the initiative and the Greens carried two banners supporting LGBT people in Russia.
Sadly some corporates and statutory organisations refused to support the initiative saying it was too political.
James Ledward, editor of Gscene Magazine, said:
“This is not a political issue it is a human rights issue. If they did not recognise that they should question why they were on the parade at all.”
“Disappointingly a few LGBT organisations and social groups also declined to display the banners. I was appalled by their reluctance. They are not so shy when they come to the community to fundraise for them. This was their opportunity to show that Pride is about the needs of all LGBT people and not just those in Brighton where many of us are very fine thank you very much indeed.”
The Brighton Sauna on Grand Parade sponsored Vince Laws BANNED happening.
The following Gay and gay friendly businesses contributed financially to the costs of the 100 Banners:
The Zone:
Hudsons Guest House:
A-Bar:
Charles Street:
Camelford Arms:
Banning Guest House:
Church Street:
Revenge:
Ambassador:
Bulldog:
Marine Tavern:
Cavalaire:
Avalon Guest House:
Subline:
Cowards Guest House:
Bedford Tavern:
New Steine Hotel:
Dr Brighton’s:
Prowler:
Camelford Arms:
Legends:
Poison Ivy:
Munkee Cafe:
Amsterdam Hotel:
