34 Scene
Brighton & Hove Pride 2021 With Brighton & Hove Pride confirmed for August 6-8, 2021 the organisers respond to some questions about the event put by Scene magazine ) How is Brighton & Hove Pride different
to other Prides? Here in Brighton & Hove we have a long history of Pride and are recognised as one of the most welcoming cities in the UK with everyone from local businesses to education hubs and residents really getting behind the celebrations to show off our fine city in the best light. What makes us different from other Prides, and special, is that we have a high-profile city centre parade route that leads directly to
the festival in Preston Park with its multiple sites and entertainment stages, dance tents, cabaret venues, food stalls and so much more. Most other cities in the UK do not have the size and location of facilities to match what we can offer. What is the future of Pride? When we were handed the baton as the organisers of Pride, the event was in dire financial difficulty, many of the themes were somewhat frivolous and there was virtually no campaigning and very little fundraising.
The current pandemic has impacted hugely on charities, community groups and businesses, and importantly on their ability to deliver their services, and Pride is no different. In a normal year we would advocate for community gatherings and events so we can meet, support and celebrate our hard fought for rights, but also campaign for the rights of those marginalised communities at home and abroad who still suffer persecution on a daily basis. We are committed to fighting for the rights of all members of the LGBTQ+ family and standing with those who suffer homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and racism.
BRIGHTON & HOVE PRIDE 2019. PHOTO: JAMES DALY
Under the seven-year tenure of Brighton Pride CIC, we are proud that the organisation has become more financially stable, with a small reserve that enables us to work on the year-round planning process.
“Protest and campaigning will always be at the heart of Pride and we should never forget our roots and continue to fight for marginalised members of our community” Pride by nature has campaigning and protest at its roots, and in the changing political environment must continue to listen and evolve. We must continue, now more than ever, to stand together as one LGBTQ+ community. How can Pride respond to the voiced needs of the community who want a more politicised activist presence to raise legitimate concerns about the current political situation and real equality? Pride means different things to different
