Paul Kemp believes that Pride has helped LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people shape the Government’s policy.

He says the recent gay marriage bill was helped through Parliament by big gatherings such as Pride, which bring the LGBT community together and show politicians their numbers.

“Pride brings people together once a year and it allows us to see how many of us LGBT people there are. We are lucky that we have been able to use Pride to shape a national agenda for equality reform.”

Earlier in the week Prime Minister David Cameron said he was proud to deliver a landmark social change and now wants to export it around the globe – despite its passage through Parliament making Britain the 17th country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage.

Kemp admits the situation in Britain compares favourably with other countries. “It is terribly sad this is not happening at the moment in Russia where people are being persecuted not only for being LGBT but also for supporting people who are LGBT. “It gives us pause for thought about what has been achieved in the UK and reasserts Pride’s key message of equality, which is at the heart of the event.”

A bit of history

Pride has been running in Brighton since 1973. Sussex Gay Liberation Front, which sounds like a guerrilla warfare unit, organised the first event. The men ended the day with a Gay Dance at the Royal Albion Hotel.

In 1991, Pride returned to Brighton, “born out of political objection to the government passing laws to ban the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality”. That year, a festival of events around town ended with a Pink Picnic in Preston Park. In 2004, Pride was awarded charitable status. Crowds have since grown, as have celebrity appearances with Lisa Stansfield, Barbara Windsor and Fatboy Slim having performed.

The parade, park and street party are now regulars. So too, it seemed, were squabbling organisers and financial difficulties. But early last year key players Stagfleet Ltd, G Scene’s James Ledward and Paul Kemp set up a Community Interest Company to administer Pride. Pride 2012 director Trevor Edwards has made way for Paul Kemp at the top of the tree, and he is joined for Pride 2013 by David Hill (from E3 Group) and Dulcie Danger (from Sauce FM).

“The structure differs very little from last year really,” explains Kemp. “However, this year we have appointed a chair and a three-strong management team. The most significant difference is that we’re an LGBT team and have committed to engaging with the voluntary sector in a way that was not done last year.”

Pride 2012 focused on Brighton-based acts and did away with the main stage in Preston Park. Trevor Edwards said he did not want a celebrity vehicle. The event felt transitional; even so, an estimated 36,000 punters paid to dance at the party in the park. Pride 2013, in contrast, has big names such as Alison Moyet, Paloma Faith, MKS (the original Sugababes) and Ms Dynamite booked to play a revamped main stage.

Main stage return

“Last year’s local artists such as Norman Cook appeared for free. We can’t expect them to do that year after year. We have been able to assemble the biggest line-up of artists ever at a Brighton Pride for a relatively modest amount of money that represents fantastic value for ticket holders.” Tickets for the Preston Park party are £17.50.

There are no headline sponsors, and booking big acts does not come cheap. Kemp says there has been no “blind gambling” this year with the bookings and that the big names bring back “family entertainment” and balance as opposed to just dance crowds.

“We could see straight away that the demographic of the LGBT community who attend Pride is constantly changing. We felt it was important to provide top entertainment on a main stage that would appeal to them. “We were also keenly aware that main stages are a popular focus at other UK Prides. A main stage adds extra value for attendees and creates a fantastic, united air of excitement.”

Gay Icons is Pride 2013’s theme. Part of the reason is the organisers wanted to “reclaim the word ‘gay’”, which Kemp says is too often used as a derogatory term. The other reason is to celebrate “LGBT movers and shakers, celebrities and groundbreakers”. “The choices LGBT people make when it comes to icons is in itself very revealing about our community, its values, its aspirations and its challenges,” he adds. “Our choice of icons reflects who we are in a strange way. It is also very revealing that the LGBT community share the same icons in most cases with the wider community.”

New amusements

New attractions in the park include a line-dancing tent, which includes a dance for wheelchair users. An e-ticket system aims to shorten last year’s long queues and there is a dedicated men’s area, The Bears Zone. Away from the park, film, theatre and art strands have been added to the programme, with events as part of Pride Arts And Film Festival running across the city since July 19. “LGBT arts have been conspicuous by their absence not only from previous Prides but also events such as Brighton Festival and Fringe.

“We want to highlight everything that is positive about our diverse and eclectic community, and there seemed no better way than through highlighting LGBT arts and lifestyle. “This is the first Pride for many years that has been run by gay people for gay people and the decision to include the arts is a reflection of that. Pride is not just a party in the park, it is a movement of people who come together once a year to raise awareness and build a future for our LGBT community.”