02 August 2024: Statement in response to demands made to Brighton & Hove Pride this week
In recent days we’ve received many requests for Brighton & Hove Pride to publicly provide statements on serious international issues that have an impact on our communities here at home.
We’ve been asked for comment on incredibly complex matters from groups with very different and valid perspectives. We take all the demands for action very seriously. We have put much time and effort into listening and responding to groups who have contacted us directly over the last few weeks.
One point we have been asked about by all contacting us is our existing and future sponsorship arrangements. We have already committed to reviewing all partnerships before entering into any agreements for 2025. This will include an assessment of all our relationships with partners who have regularly sponsored Pride, including Coca Cola. This process is taken seriously, will follow criteria protocols and take into consideration all views received.
Right now, with only hours until the Pride weekend, our priority is on this year’s events when we will be spending the days ahead campaigning for LGBTQI+ rights, raising funds for local LGBTQI+ causes, and working hard to make Pride a safe inclusive place for all.
As a global protest movement, Pride exists to campaign for global LGBTQI+ rights. This will always be our focus. While we will fight for freedom in all its forms in all places, our priority as a local Pride movement will be always on the LGBTQI+ communities in Brighton & Hove.
We currently have too many requests for differing public statements to reply in a considered and meaningful way. To respond to some requests and not others could be misconstrued as uncaring of the deep strength of feeling involved. We do not want to cause offence.
We are keen to continue conversations and work collaboratively with groups who are petitioning us for action. As a small team, we now must concentrate on the delivery of this year’s Pride for all in our community and for the benefit of our city.
We request that everyone joins together to support our annual Pride events and to both celebrate and champion our LGBTQI+ communities.
