Mayor of Brighton & Hove welcomes group of volunteers and activists representing the Trans Pride movement at a celebration of its 10-year run

The Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Councillor Jackie O’Quinn, welcomed a group of volunteers and activists representing the Trans Pride movement at a celebration of its 10-year run, held on Tuesday, August 8 in Brighton Town Hall.

The event was held to congratulate the activists for this major milestone and recognise the important work they do, bringing safe spaces, togetherness and joy to trans and non-binary communities in and beyond our city. It was also an opportunity for the leaders of the city to voice their unwavering support to the TNBI and gender diverse people and commence meaningful engagement on the needs of the community and the challenges it faces.

Sarah Savage from Trans Pride Brighton & Hove with Cllr Bella Sankey

Also in attendance were a number of councillors, including Deputy Mayor Mohammed Asaduzzaman, Leader of the Council Bella Sankey and Councillor Leslie Pumm, chair of the Equalities, Community Safety & Human Rights Committee.

Trans Pride Brighton & Hove, which first took place in 2013, has since evolved into the biggest event of its kind in Europe.

This year’s event, run by a grass-roots, community-led organisation staffed entirely by volunteers, was held from Friday, July 14 to Sunday, July 16 and attracted over 30,000 spectators despite facing adverse weather conditions. The event seeks to show the TNBI community in all its joyous glory and celebrate transgender people as artists, musicians, writers, performers, as well as trans people as everyday people just getting on with their lives.

Councillor Leslie Pumm, chair of the Equalities, Community Safety & Human Rights Committee, said: “The trans, non-binary and gender diverse community and its greatness, braveness and creativity is integral to the fabric of our city.

“We believe Brighton & Hove can and should be a beacon city, where everyone can feel safe to express themselves and achieve their potential without fear or prejudice.

“In an environment where the rights of the TNBI community are under attack, it is most important that we stand up for our trans friends and start a conversation on their needs, challenges they face and what we can do to help overcome them.”