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fe\/'Yi`^_kfe Issue 54 • Fri 14 - Thu 27 August 2009
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RECORD TURN OUT AT PRIDE
One of these God-fearing men is about to walk across an 80ft-high tightrope. Why? Page 5...
Number of people ‘substantially higher’ than last year PRIDE IN BRIGHTON AND HOVE 2009 was the biggest gay event the city has ever seen. More people attended Brighton Pride this year than ever before, according to Sussex Police. Despite the rain, early estimates put the figure at “substantially above” last year’s figure of 150,000 revellers. But authorities believe the real number is likely to be far higher. “It is a great tribute to the reputation of Pride in Brighton and Hove that each year more and more people are drawn to the annual celebration of LGBT lives,” said Geoffrey Bowden, Trustee at Pride in Brighton
and Hove. “It is certainly our impression that there were more people than ever viewing one of the best parades ever.” Kicking off at 11am on Sat 1 August on Brighton seafront, the parade was the busiest Brighton has seen as 44 decorated floats meandered through to the main event at the park, which began at 1pm. Around 80 police officers, staff and supporters representing the national Gay Police Association, Sussex Police and other police forces from across the UK, led the carnival parade for the sixth year running. They were joined by Sussex Police’s sexual orientation champion Chief
Superintendent Graham Bartlett and the Chief Constable of Hampshire Constabulary Alex Marshall. The police received a very positive response from members of the public as they marched along the route, and in Preston Park, the Sussex Police stand saw many members of public enquiring about joining the force. The event’s police commander Superintendent Steve Whitton said: “Once again, people have attended in their thousands to line the streets and take part in the Pride celebrations. Given the substantial numbers we have seen today, it has been a Continued page 5
BRIGHTON PRIDE SOUVENIR SPECIAL PAGES 9-20