Pride and Brighton & Hove Buses have together launched the magnificent new Diversity Bus – the latest incarnation of the wonderful Pride Festival Bus.
The Diversity Bus has been designed to promote and celebrate diversity in the community.
Managing Director Martin Harris said: “The Diversity Bus not only celebrates Pride and everything it stands for but is a symbol of our broader support for diversity and inclusion in general.
“We have a long history of supporting diversity across sexual orientation, gender race and ethnicity, improving services for disabled people, and welcoming refugees.
“Just days after the terrible events in Manchester, we want to stand side by side with those who work to heal divisions in our society and to support those that are vulnerable in our communities. And to stand by those who oppose hate.
“We’re delighted once again to be launching the bus alongside our Pride partners and hope it can help to promote, support and celebrate the fantastic Pride festival.”
Paul Kemp, Director of Brighton Pride, said: “We are thrilled Brighton & Hove Buses has rejoined other prominent city businesses to support Pride in our city in this our 27th year. This is an ongoing relationship that includes a dedicated bus and shuttle service from the Pride campsite as well as exciting all-year-round promotional activity with the Pride Diversity bus.”
The bus carries messages of love and celebration and the simple but powerful message #moreincommon, set up in the aftermath of MP Jo Cox’s tragic murder a year ago to demonstrate how much more we all have in common than that which divides us.
The bus has been named in memory of local drag artist Phil Starr who performed on stages across the world for more than 50 years and also raised thousands of pounds for charity. He was one of the main supporters of the annual Pride event in Brighton and Hove.