Totnes in Devon saw its second Pride event last weekend, with over 1000 people coming from all over Devon & Cornwall, to celebrate the local LGBT community.
Organisers of the event, the Devon-based Proud2Be Project, laid on a whole host of events in the town.
The event began with a colourful procession, in which, Totnes Methodist Church showed their support by hanging a banner outside the church with a painted rainbow and the message “God loves us all just as we are”.
Mat Price, co-founder of the Proud2Be Project said: “It was very special to read the banner as we marched up the high street, and for many, it was important to see such a positive message, particularly for those who have had negative experiences with religious institutions in the past.”
One of the many marchers, said: “It was wonderful, thanks to everyone for making it happen, including the 1000 who turned up. And to Totnes for making it feel less like a pride event in Totnes and more of Totnes’ pride event.”
Human rights campaigner and Proud2Be Patron Peter Tatchell, was one of the guests at the event.
He said: “It was a huge honour to be part of Totnes Pride. What an amazing day. The march was a blaze of colour and music, with the giant butterfly and fabulous samba band – capped off with speeches and performances in the civic hall and the nighttime after-party. A joyful success! It was wonderful to witness the warm public reception.
“I hope more small towns will follow Totnes example and organise their own local pride events. We need to extend pride celebrations from the big cities to small towns and rural communities, so that we create a truly nationwide grassroots LGBTI social movement. Totnes leads the way. Bravo!”
Peter was joined on the parade by other leading LGBT figures including Founder of Diversity Role Models Suran Dickson and retired political activist Christine Burns MBE, who is best known for her work with Press for Change. Christine was awarded an MBE in 2005 in recognition of her work representing transgender people.
Christine said: “These days we are used to big city Prides. Some Pride events are also criticised for having become too commercial. Totnes Pride is so refreshing because it taps back into the essence of what Pride events should be about. Totnes Pride inspires me to think ahead to a time when small towns all over the country might host intimate local events like this, where the local population and their LGBT neighbours can mingle and discover they aren’t much different in human aspirations. True equality won’t be achieved by restricting Pride events to the big cities, far away.”
The day began with speeches from Mayor of Totnes, Jacqi Hodgson, Peter Tatchell, Christine Burns and Proud2Be founders Mat and Jon Price, who together with award winning Samba Roc Band led the procession through the town, passing the colourful rainbow crossing, Proud2Be created the week leading up to the event.
At Totnes Civic Hall attendees enjoyed a whole host of activities including community art projects, talks and workshops, a variety of community information stands, Dot’s Diner, a craft area, face painting, Loz’s clay room, a cinema, library and a panel discussion.
The day event was followed by a sold out after-party, held at The Barrel House. Party-goers enjoyed a mix of local and national acts that came to support the day.
Proud2Be, which has recently been shortlisted from 21,000 organisations, down to the final five for a National Diversity Award, began three years ago when gay identical twin brothers, Mat and Jon Price sat in front of their web cam and recorded a short video. In the video they explained how they are both “proud to be gay”.
Since then a number of high profile LGBT figures have contributed to the international campaign including Stephen Fry who said: “I am happy to be counted as a supporter of Proud2Be at every turn”.
As well as running the campaign, Proud2Be holds a number of social events in South Devon, has their own community radio show, facilitates workshops and provides consultancy to a number of organisations across the UK.
Next year, Proud2Be will launch a Devon-wide Youth Service and open the first rural LGBT community hub in South Devon.
Proud2Be co-founder Jon said: “For us Totnes Pride was not only an opportunity for our community to get together and be proud but to also raise awareness and help educate the wider community. The success of the event has sent a clear message to LGBT people all over the country, that Totnes embraces us and celebrates our difference. We are so proud to be living here in Totnes.”
“We would like to thank Peter Tatchell, Christine Burns, Suran Dickson and Jess MacIntrye for helping to make this year’s Pride so special. We would also like to thank our directors, committee, volunteers and generous partners, funders and sponsors who helped make the event possible.”
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