Brighton Pride chairwoman resigns (From The Argus)

Rats leaving a sinking ship?????

As a great fan of the BLT iwould be interested in trying LGBT,does anyone have the recipe?

The best thing that could have happened. I am sorry but the whole Pride business stinks. Just let it rest and call it a day. The charities get very little money from it. Its not worth all the effort that is up into it.

I understood the parade route was changed (without really making any difference to the event either way) but this then had a severe effect on business locally... from the Vice Chairs comments it seems that the former chair had to sort a lot of mess out - often you have talented individuals step into situations needing help, only to find that the people in the organisation do very little to support the very changes they want the talent to sort out. Resigning at least brings attention to the subject and if the lady felt she could no longer put her energies into the role for whatever reason, then the act of resigning in itself might actually be positive action... help is needed for sure - but can they be helped?

Quote - "But some sections of the gay community were vocal in their criticism of the new plans".

That doesn't sound like the usual crowd at Pride does it.

It might be that some are a bit too proud.

The whole thing is a nonsense anyway. What started as a credible and justifiable march to assert civil liberties has just become an overblown excuse for thousands of homosexuals to flaunt their sexuality. The idea that the dyed-in-the-wool bigots that remain are suddenly going to have a change of heart when they see a load of old drag queens playing tonsil tennis is ludicrous. Time to call it a day. To quote a recent advertising slogan: some people are gay - get over it!

Pride comes before a fall, I guess

I am very disappointed that in her resignation letter Yvonne barker still kept up the animosity and resentment of businesses involved in Pride,
insinuating that the posts on facebook etc were all contrived by businesses for there own gain.
as someone who has been actively outspoken on these sites against the Pride board, i for the record i am a member of Pride, and have no connection to any business and like many others resent having my opinions muddied in this way,
which is a fundamental slur on the very people that Pride represent.

Greyrun wrote:
As a great fan of the BLT iwould be interested in trying LGBT,does anyone have the recipe?

Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed my Lettuce, Gerbil, Bacon and Tomato sandwich after being made one by the chief LGBT officer at Brighton & Hove City Council.

Apparently it was invented by Richard Gere in the 1980s but has become an increasingly popular snack at recent Pride events, hence the need to have a full time officer at the council to ensure consistent quality.

Glad I could clear that up for you

If the Pride committee want to run the event next year I suggest it is self funded and the council or taxpayers pay nothing towards it. Enough of taxpayers money is being wasted by this council without it being used on such rubbish. It would seem no-one knows where all the money raised, goes.

Look, can everyone forget arguing for once and now work together to create a decent Pride for 2010? Whatever the grumpy old sods on here think, Pride brings loads of money and people to Brighton and is famous around the world. If you don't like gay people or parties, why don't you p*** off and live somewhere else. I'm sure Worthing would have you.

David Panter wrote:
Look, can everyone forget arguing for once and now work together to create a decent Pride for 2010? Whatever the grumpy old sods on here think, Pride brings loads of money and people to Brighton and is famous around the world. If you don't like gay people or parties, why don't you p*** off and live somewhere else. I'm sure Worthing would have you.

Its not famous around the world because, believe it or not, other countries have their own gay pride events.

The Whole event needs to be rolled back and Start again, Do they not realise that all the time there is a Wages bill to be paid then companies will resent putting money in their coffer unless they have the callibre of a managing director, instead of amatuers that have no grip on the event....! As for Ms Barkers demise does not surprise me I witnessed her running around on the Day as a demented Juvenile, at the very start. my parting remarks to her was "I will be here next year...You wont" Prophetic or What....?

David Panter wrote:
Look, can everyone forget arguing for once and now work together to create a decent Pride for 2010? Whatever the grumpy old sods on here think, Pride brings loads of money and people to Brighton and is famous around the world. If you don't like gay people or parties, why don't you p*** off and live somewhere else. I'm sure Worthing would have you.

"Pride brings loads of money to Brighton"

Evidence?

"...and is famous around the world"

No it isn't.

When did "gay people who like parties" become spokespeople for this city of almost 250,000. Why don't you p*** off to Worthing?

David Panter wrote:
Look, can everyone forget arguing for once and now work together to create a decent Pride for 2010? Whatever the grumpy old sods on here think, Pride brings loads of money and people to Brighton and is famous around the world. If you don't like gay people or parties, why don't you p*** off and live somewhere else. I'm sure Worthing would have you.

Come on, David, what rubbish you have written. Of late Pride as been one of the worse ones around the world. It is famous in other countries for being such cr-p. I suggest, if you have not been already, go to the Vancouver Gay Pride. That is professional. Brighton and Hove Pride as had its day.

David Panter wrote:
Look, can everyone forget arguing for once and now work together to create a decent Pride for 2010? Whatever the grumpy old sods on here think, Pride brings loads of money and people to Brighton and is famous around the world. If you don't like gay people or parties, why don't you p*** off and live somewhere else. I'm sure Worthing would have you.

The pink pound is always welcome in Brighton as far as I'm concerned, but Pride tends to drag everyone away from the centre over to St James St. So while they gain, the rest of us suffer.

Don't worry, I'm not saying ban it, but its effect is very local within the city, so dont get too carried away with it's benefits...

stickman wrote:

David Panter wrote:
Look, can everyone forget arguing for once and now work together to create a decent Pride for 2010? Whatever the grumpy old sods on here think, Pride brings loads of money and people to Brighton and is famous around the world. If you don't like gay people or parties, why don't you p*** off and live somewhere else. I'm sure Worthing would have you.

The pink pound is always welcome in Brighton as far as I'm concerned, but Pride tends to drag everyone away from the centre over to St James St. So while they gain, the rest of us suffer.

Don't worry, I'm not saying ban it, but its effect is very local within the city, so dont get too carried away with it's benefits...

Stickman you don't do what you are talking about. Maybe over the week-end there are slightly fewer people visiting the city centre and our unique shopping centre full of shops you can fine nowhere else in the UK, but in the long term Brighton Pride is beneficial to the city and helps local businesses. The reason why people come to Brighton, and why Channel 5 decided to film its Beach Patrol series here, is because it is a special place, and it is events such as Pride that make Brighton special. Take these events away and slowly Brighton will become like Blackpool or Margate. You'll be the first one complaining then. We all seem to take the Brighton we know for granted but we tend to forget it is a fragile city. I wasn't too impressed with this year's Pride either but I believe it is important to support the event. As one would say: "You don't know what you've got till it's gone".

For goodness sake Brighton get over yourselves! You do not have the largest concentration of gay folk in the UK, nor do you have the worlds most famous Pride. You have probably one of the last free Pride events in the country , so what? You do not even consider Pride to be about the hard fought for freedom they were set up to do after the violent suppression of the fifties anymore. To you Pride is now a weekend of drunkeness, drug taking and public sex. Your community is fractured with buisnesses falling out with other buisnesses over who pays for this and who pays for that. Your gay clubs and bars operate ageist and rascist policies and the customer service is full of really bad attitude Its all surface Brighton, you cannot even agree to stage an event that benefits your own charities. Whats a few quid for a really good weekend? You spoilt lot. You had it all and now you are about to hand the whole lot over to Wilde events. Has no-one put it together that they are `in bed` with Aoeon events, who also happen to run Wild Fruit. Well surprise surprise your circle is now complete. Brighton. You are a one horse town.

Having been a long time supporter of Pride I attended the meeting at the Queens Hotel on Tuesday night. I have to say I became very upset during the course of the evening.

In all the years I have supported Pride I have never seen a chair person of Pride so unwilling to see the local businesses as partners of Pride.

Her message seemed to be we don't need the business support.

Well in my view Pride must have the business support as well as the support of the community.

The Pride board's attitude needs to change and it needs to change very quickly because I really believe if it does not Pride 2010 may not happen.

There are many people who have done tremendous work and business's who have contributed over many years to make Brighton Pride the best. All these efforts are are being undone by the present board.My plea to
the board is to really think about Wilde One's proposal which may well be the answer to Pride 2010 and even if you decide against their proposal to take over the responsibilty of Preston Park at least build bridges with them and get them on board as the production for the park like they have done so successfully for many years.

Wild Fruit and the cabaret tents MUST stay. And my final plea is to everyone who attends PRIDE it really is so important to make a realistic donation when you attend the park I would suggest a minimum £3.
I was disappointed at the tone of Yvonne's resignation statement it lacked dignity. It is important now we all pull together to make sure that Pride 2010 happens. It only will if local businesses both LGBT and mainstream come back to the table and work out how they can work with Wilde Ones and Pride to produce a fabulous event for us next year
Andy Feest
Queens Arms

Pride comes before a fall

Bennn wrote:

stickman wrote:

David Panter wrote:
Look, can everyone forget arguing for once and now work together to create a decent Pride for 2010? Whatever the grumpy old sods on here think, Pride brings loads of money and people to Brighton and is famous around the world. If you don't like gay people or parties, why don't you p*** off and live somewhere else. I'm sure Worthing would have you.

The pink pound is always welcome in Brighton as far as I'm concerned, but Pride tends to drag everyone away from the centre over to St James St. So while they gain, the rest of us suffer.

Don't worry, I'm not saying ban it, but its effect is very local within the city, so dont get too carried away with it's benefits...

Stickman you don't do what you are talking about. Maybe over the week-end there are slightly fewer people visiting the city centre and our unique shopping centre full of shops you can fine nowhere else in the UK, but in the long term Brighton Pride is beneficial to the city and helps local businesses. The reason why people come to Brighton, and why Channel 5 decided to film its Beach Patrol series here, is because it is a special place, and it is events such as Pride that make Brighton special. Take these events away and slowly Brighton will become like Blackpool or Margate. You'll be the first one complaining then. We all seem to take the Brighton we know for granted but we tend to forget it is a fragile city. I wasn't too impressed with this year's Pride either but I believe it is important to support the event. As one would say: "You don't know what you've got till it's gone".

Ooops you didn't read all the comment... I said the same as you - the Pride event draws people away from the centre. I also said that the pink pound is welcome in Brighton. For someone who is born and bred in Brighton and spent most of my 40yrs here I can tell you that Brighton has been special and "gay-friendly" for a lot longer than Pride has been running, so just get things in perpective.

I am a straight man but supported the gay rights movement. My girfriend and I marched in what were 'gay rights' marches in the 80s and early 90s when gay people weren't allowed to serve in the forces and didn't get their partner's pensions etc.
The event had a very serious purpose and drew in the wider community.
I must say in the past two or three years, the Brighton event has been nothing but a daytime 'club' night in the park with a tent full of people off their heads on drugs and booze, a fair ground, noodle bars and beer tents in a field.
Sadly, the event has become meaningless to straight people who don't understand its purpose anymore and clearly now even gay people can't work out it's purpose.
This is the reason why only £5,000 was collected to fill the shortfall.
Who would put money into a pot to pay for a load of traders to flog crap to people under the guise of it being a 'gay' event.
It has become a nonsense and is unsustainable as a party. The wider community wont support just a party unless there is a reason other than people getting off their heads.

Just about sums it up. Dragging that Willows chap, however odious he was, into court didn't help either. Truth is the community now wouldn't miss it, and that's a sad reflection of Pride imo.

TheInsider wrote:
I am a straight man but supported the gay rights movement. My girfriend and I marched in what were 'gay rights' marches in the 80s and early 90s when gay people weren't allowed to serve in the forces and didn't get their partner's pensions etc.
The event had a very serious purpose and drew in the wider community.
I must say in the past two or three years, the Brighton event has been nothing but a daytime 'club' night in the park with a tent full of people off their heads on drugs and booze, a fair ground, noodle bars and beer tents in a field.
Sadly, the event has become meaningless to straight people who don't understand its purpose anymore and clearly now even gay people can't work out it's purpose.
This is the reason why only £5,000 was collected to fill the shortfall.
Who would put money into a pot to pay for a load of traders to flog crap to people under the guise of it being a 'gay' event.
It has become a nonsense and is unsustainable as a party. The wider community wont support just a party unless there is a reason other than people getting off their heads.

Absolutely spot on. As an openly gay woman I've found very little to relate to at recent Pride events. I find much more 'pride' in being able to walk hand-in-hand round a supermarket with my girlfriend on a Saturday morning than being associated with the alcohol and drug-fuelled antics that usually go on at Prides these days. Pride events don't mean much to me anymore and that's a real shame because homophobia still exists in our society and I fear that if Prides continue to create a bad impression of the gay community then they are having the absolute opposite effect of what they originally set out to achieve.

Pride! People tramping over the rose garden and bowling greens. Leaving litter everywhere. **** against trees and bushes, etc, etc. Pride! as an older gay man I've never been so embarrassed by the crowd at Preston Park two years ago. Never been back.

ffs its a parade and a ****-up in the park afterwards.
what exactly is so difficult about it?.
should'nt take 12 months to organise dust off plan from last year badger sponsors jobs a good one

David Panter wrote:
Look, can everyone forget arguing for once and now work together to create a decent Pride for 2010? Whatever the grumpy old sods on here think, Pride brings loads of money and people to Brighton and is famous around the world. If you don't like gay people or parties, why don't you p*** off and live somewhere else. I'm sure Worthing would have you.

It has got so bad, that ALL the gay people I know stay indoors until it is all over. And from what I hear this is becoming the norm with Brighton gay residents.
The event has been hijacked by out of towners who have no consideration for others in the actions - because they don't live here.
The serious problem of local gay residents not feeling it is the sort of weekend they want any part of has to be addressed for the whole thing to move forward.
Or it will NOT find funding and it won't happen again.
Brighton Pride IS NOT the envy of the modern world, believe it or not.
Cities all around the world have similar, better organised events that don't end in a sleazy, gay sex free for all in a public park.

The comment from roughsea, rottingdean - Silly old queen. The people at the park are gay and straight, bi, etc. So who ever it is missing up the wonderful roses (which are normally behind a 6ft fence) could be anyone, perhaps it was even you!

I am all in favour of getting back to the reasons behind pride - the political message is now missed, bring back the main stage.

And fence off the park. If fat boy slim can fence of the seafront and make sheds load of cash then the park can. Stop! Bickering. It’s a fact that pride – Love it or hate it, brings in much needed cash for the city. It also brings back people.

It is a shame that the event brings out so much hostility and negative response. I have cut the following out of an advertorial for Brighton "Brighton is situated just south of the South Downs and on the south coast of England making it an ideal destination for all types of visitors. It can offer the sophistication of a city which grew to popularity in the Regency period, as well as all the things to do on the beach. There's also shopping arts events or just good-old seaside fun you may choose one or all of these or leave each family member to make their own choice! Brighton's enormous range of facilities makes it an ideal year-round destination. "

Yes residents you live in a City that believes in the quote...Maybe if you don't like events,parades,tongu
e-in-cheek humour such as Victorian Postcards etc you should not live here. Brighton needs attractions that is it's history and many believe it's future. If you don't like it then move!!!

Judging from the number of homophobic and ill-informed comments about Pride on these pages in the last few months, it is clear that there is a continuing need for a Pride event. Homophobia and hate crimes continue (and on the increase), it is essential that Pride continues in 2010 and onwards. If this one day really offends you, then lock yourself in or go out for the day. Or you could spend the day researching the history of gay rights and educate yourself out of childish fear and ignorance!

Thumper Hove wrote:
Judging from the number of homophobic and ill-informed comments about Pride on these pages in the last few months, it is clear that there is a continuing need for a Pride event. Homophobia and hate crimes continue (and on the increase), it is essential that Pride continues in 2010 and onwards. If this one day really offends you, then lock yourself in or go out for the day. Or you could spend the day researching the history of gay rights and educate yourself out of childish fear and ignorance!

If someone is knuckle-headed another to carry out a violent assault on someone because of their sexuality, do you honestly think the Pride event will help change their minds? All the gay community can hope to achieve is equality. You will never stamp out bigotry. That's life I am afraid. Also what do gay rights have to do with a 48-hour orgy of promiscuity and drugs? I know gay people who have become sick and tired of Pride. It doesn't speak for them anymore.

jamusIII wrote:

Thumper Hove wrote: Judging from the number of homophobic and ill-informed comments about Pride on these pages in the last few months, it is clear that there is a continuing need for a Pride event. Homophobia and hate crimes continue (and on the increase), it is essential that Pride continues in 2010 and onwards. If this one day really offends you, then lock yourself in or go out for the day. Or you could spend the day researching the history of gay rights and educate yourself out of childish fear and ignorance!

If someone is knuckle-headed another to carry out a violent assault on someone because of their sexuality, do you honestly think the Pride event will help change their minds? All the gay community can hope to achieve is equality. You will never stamp out bigotry. That's life I am afraid. Also what do gay rights have to do with a 48-hour orgy of promiscuity and drugs? I know gay people who have become sick and tired of Pride. It doesn't speak for them anymore.

No, but we can only hope that future generations see homophobic attacks as unacceptable.

As for ill-informed comments, "a 48 hour orgy of promiscuity and drugs..." etc, is exactly the sort of comment I was referring to - for some people it may be just that (either gay straight or whatever!), but to the majority it is not. It is shame there are so many narrow minded people around who assume that every gay person must be into weekend orgies and drugs.

Finally, as for gay people who feel Pride is not for them, get off your backsides & get involved instead of whinging it is not what they want (looks like Pride will be needing people at the moment!)

who really cares ? i will be glad to see it disappear...

As a straight bloke who has a senior role in a male orienated industry, I hear racist, sexist and homophobic attitudes expressed widely which I continually challenge. Some of these attitudes are expressed by posters here which should galvanise the gay community into putting some purpose to the party and parade.
Therefore, I am saddened that this event has moved away from being gay and from 'messaging' and 'campaigning' to being any old party. It is no different from a fat boy gig, a black rock rave event etc.
The only reason we know it is a gay event is when you arrive in the park and see same sex couples together, but as more straight couples now attend just for the crack, it could just be a party in the park event to celebrate summer. I was told off last year for calling it gay Pride as apparently that's not it's name anymore. Why?
Doesn't the community want it to be gay?
Why isn't the gay community tackling issues it faces when i see them and i am not even gay? Don't they care? Now they can get married was that all they wanted?
Surely not? There is far more to equality than marriage.
Come on gay community help me out.

I have now come to the conclusion that Pride 2010 should be cancelled and a full review carried out before staging the next one in 2011. Bringing back the main stage and making a charge in the park seems to be the only way forward. Any profits could be given to charity. Manchester has proved this works and is now the UKs most successfull, and profitable Pride festival. The blue print and the answer lies there. Use it or face a massively scaled down event.

Is it really just Pride that makes people spend 48 hours getting off their heads? I think that is more to do with Brighton than Pride festival. People get off their heads at Fat Boy Slim concerts. People got off their heads at Beachdown. People get off their heads at the seafront clubs every Saturday night. I'm not passing comment on it one way or the other, but it's certainly not just a gay thing or limited to one event. Brighton has always been hedonistic.

"The Brighton event has been nothing but a daytime 'club' night in the park with a tent full of people off their heads on drugs and booze, a fair ground, noodle bars and beer tents in a field." Spot on.

"The idea that the dyed-in-the-wool bigots that remain are suddenly going to have a change of heart when they see a load of old drag queens playing tonsil tennis is ludicrous." Spot on.

"As for ill-informed comments, "a 48 hour orgy of promiscuity and drugs..." etc, is exactly the sort of comment I was referring to - for some people it may be just that (either gay straight or whatever!), but to the majority it is not." No........ but it's what gets reported in the press and that matters.

Lesbians and gay men are continuing to be attacked in Brighton month after month. This place is not as "gay friendly" as some suppose.

The wind ups surrounding Pride just add to the negative image people have of the LGBT community.

A small demonstration was unreported the last time I watched Pride and that was by the BNP. They attempted to gate crash Pride at the Open Market. The police were quick to stop them. Along with many other gay and lesbian folk I don't go anymore either as I don't relate to Pride. To me it is neither Carnival nor a Gay Pride.

jamusIII wrote:

David Panter wrote: Look, can everyone forget arguing for once and now work together to create a decent Pride for 2010? Whatever the grumpy old sods on here think, Pride brings loads of money and people to Brighton and is famous around the world. If you don't like gay people or parties, why don't you p*** off and live somewhere else. I'm sure Worthing would have you.

"Pride brings loads of money to Brighton" Evidence? "...and is famous around the world" No it isn't. When did "gay people who like parties" become spokespeople for this city of almost 250,000. Why don't you p*** off to Worthing?

'Evidence?'
errr - trickle down effect

without events like Pride, Brighton would be exactly like Worthing - soulless, with no attraction for new / dynamic / niche business. is that what you want ? Or do you want a town governed by Daily Mail readers?

Mr Lahey wrote:

jamusIII wrote:

David Panter wrote: Look, can everyone forget arguing for once and now work together to create a decent Pride for 2010? Whatever the grumpy old sods on here think, Pride brings loads of money and people to Brighton and is famous around the world. If you don't like gay people or parties, why don't you p*** off and live somewhere else. I'm sure Worthing would have you.

"Pride brings loads of money to Brighton" Evidence? "...and is famous around the world" No it isn't. When did "gay people who like parties" become spokespeople for this city of almost 250,000. Why don't you p*** off to Worthing?

'Evidence?'
errr - trickle down effect

without events like Pride, Brighton would be exactly like Worthing - soulless, with no attraction for new / dynamic / niche business. is that what you want ? Or do you want a town governed by Daily Mail readers?

The last thing I want is for Brighton and Hove to become another Worthing. But you are seriously overstating the role Pride plays here. B&H has a huge arty student population, the most vibrant music scene in the UK (no, it has!), a calender full of event 12 months a year, including the biggest art festival in England. Pride could play a wonderful role in adding to that. But at the moment it's all just a bit seedy and aimless. I agree with a previous poster, the gay community should reclaim the event. Calling it Gay Pride would be a start...