An activist claims Brighton Pride has lost its meaning, has become too commercialised and is failing to prioritise the LGBT community.

David Andrew Wright, 32, of Brighton, founded the Facebook page “Bring back the real meaning of Brighton Pride” earlier this month after hearing numerous complaints from people.

This year, more than 400,000 people turned up for the annual celebration.

So far, there are more than 300 members on the Facebook page.

Mr Wright said: “I think Brighton Pride has lost its meaning so I started the Facebook page to address this concern.

“The main reasons are hearing stories of verbal abuse our trans community had faced on the day and the number of people who told me personally how commercialised and corporate Brighton Pride had become.

“Since I set up the Facebook page I have received lots of comments from people who believed Brighton Pride has lost its meaning, and how it has become just a normal festival.

“I hope that I can collate everyone’s experiences together. I will find what people are most concerned about and how they feel about Brighton Pride as a whole.

“I encourage people to submit any ideas of changes that can realistically be made to improve Brighton Pride.

“After that, we will put these recommendations forward to Pride organisers.”

Mr Wright said Brighton Pride’s main focus should be about celebrating diversity, education and remembering the LGBT community’s struggle for equal rights.

Members have written on the Facebook page saying it was “the worst Pride celebrations they had attended”.

Mr Wright said: “Corporate companies that are not specific or local to Brighton jump on the bandwagon to advertise and try to cash in on the event.

“This, in turn, loses the meaning of Pride because it should be about celebrating and appreciating diversity, and the meaning behind acceptance.

“Also, what concerns me is the actual cost of entry tickets themselves.

“The day is called Gay Pride but some members of the community are in receipt of verbal and physical abuse which deeply saddens me in today’s society.

“Pride for me is about supporting our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning community and all the rights and privileges that we have today that have been fought for over the years.”

Paul Kemp the organiser of Brighton Pride, has been contacted for a comment.