Pride Brighton & Hove are excited to announce the launch of an exciting new history and campaigning project BrightonPride25 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Brighton Pride.

Although the first Brighton Gay Pride took place in 1973 on the 7th and 8th of July with a march, gay dance and picnic, it wasn’t until 1991 that Brighton Pride as we know today began with four days of protest, film, art, history, live music, cabaret, clubbing and a Pink Picnic at Preston Park. It was a time when the LGBTQI community were years away from equality and the community was protesting against Section 28, government legislation that banned local authorities from promoting homosexuality.

One of the 1991 Pride organisers, Dani Ahrens, recalls its early beginnings. “We (Brighton Area Action against Section 28) had been organising an annual march (since 1988) to protest at the passage of Section 28 into law. By 1991, we felt that our resistance to this law, and its effects, had built a community that was strong, angry, and full of creativity. We wanted to move forward and claim our rightful place in the city”.

The BrightonPride25 project will tell the story of Brighton Pride’s history with images, footage and your memories through main stage videos at the Brighton Pride Festival in Preston Park on August the 1st, and public installations within the city.

Brighton Pride Managing Director Paul Kemp said, “BrightonPride25 will celebrate our shared history and recognise the trailblazers and community organisations, the brave campaigners, activists, artists, club promoters, performers and Pride-goers who have been part of shaping the Pride movement in Brighton and Hove over a quarter of a century. We believe passionately that Pride should have purpose. Campaigning to highlight global LGBT communities and community fundraising is at the cornerstone of everything Pride represents and we hope BrightonPride25 will continue to reinforce this message. We’re extremely grateful to Alf Le Flohic and Kate Wildblood for agreeing to work with Pride on this exciting community project.”

Alf Le Flohic said, “BrightonPride25 will highlight the dedicated politicos, performers and party-goers who have made Brighton Pride the unique celebration of love and liberation that it is today.”

Kate Wildblood said, “From those early days of Queer On The Pier and days out on The Level to the park life of Preston Park and campaigning for the Freedom To Live, Brighton Pride is has a history worth knowing and a history we should all be proud of.”