Following on from the Pride Open Meeting on the 17/11/09 and news of the Chair of Prides resignation I felt as one of the groups directly affected by the proposed downscaling of the event it is important that I, as a representative of Calabash, state our position clearly and for the record.

The proposal that Pride has brought to the table to meet their financial commitments whilst attempting to continue to provide a yearly event does not meet the needs of our group or the needs of the diverse community that we aim to give representation for at Pride. It serves only to undermine the hard work that has gone before it and I cannot see how Pride can attempt to represent or support our needs or interests with the proposal offered.

It is hoped that when managing risks associated to a project (holding a Pride event) the project board (Pride the organisation) offers its key stakeholder (the community, community groups and LGBT businesses) a number of options with possible outcomes, balanced risks and opportunities. What Pride offered us felt like a ‘fait accompli’ with a glimmer of hope that they were “committed to working with us”.  The first I heard of the extent of the impact of their intended solution and that the Calabash tent was to be axed when I read the public statement in G Scene.

I’m sure that was never the intention of Pride to inform us in such a manner, however this did not feel like “working in partnership”. Those at Calabash and People of Colour before it have worked hard to get where we are on the park. Calabash has grown from humble beginnings of a 50 capacity tent on the outskirts of the park to where it is now, centrally positioned catering to over 1000 attendees. Getting there has not been easy, getting the presence we feel we need has been a battle. It saddens me that Pride have felt that downscaling is the only option and I am puzzled why they felt it would ever satisfy any ones needs, let alone ours.

Part of Pride’s constitution is to “promote equality and diversity”. Valuing diversity is not about treating everyone the same, it’s about valuing differences and recognising different groups have different needs. 

Pride’s preferred option of three tents with all groups having a share does not recognise that diverse groups have different needs and interests. The crowd that come to Calabash year on year want to hear music that relates to them as multi-ethnic members of the LGBT community. Calabash aims to provide an inclusive space that gives representation to Black and Asian music on Pride day. Our audience want to feel their needs are being met and not included as an “attachment” or “after thought”.

To lump Calabash in with the rest of the other performance/ dance tents is ill thought out and confused. It doesn’t show any understanding about what Calabash is about or what valuing ”diversity” is.

On a basic performance level, to presume the average Pride goer would be happy dancing to a funky house DJ, only for it to be cut short by a Bhangra set is naive and is little short of programming suicide.

I am personally saddened by the factions, which have developed over the last month. Neither Calabash nor myself have any intention of entering in to any public mud slinging, or to be party to any scape-goating, which has happened on both sides. However, what I witnessed last Tuesday 17/11/09 was an arrogant Pride that wasn’t willing to listen to an already frustrated and angry audience, dismissive of other valid views and not willing to consider alternative proposals that were being presented. This only served to exacerbate the high emotion that was being felt.

The meeting only served to undermine public confidence and further damage Pride’s reputation. It was clear that Pride and in particular the Chair, had not appreciated the level of public feeling. Pride, as an organisation that represents the views of the community, need to take some responsibility for this. The resignation that followed and the public ‘washing of dirty linen’ really does not help but to polarise the situation to the extent that I cannot see things being remedied in a timely manner, which is what is urgently needed.

It is regrettable that for these reasons, Calabash has no other option but to back the alternative rescue plan offered by Wilde Ones. In the words of one of my favourite shows “Dragons Den”, “Pride, let me tell where I stand, I’m out”.

Affy Wajid
Coordinator of Calabash

 

View the Wilde Ones rescue plan by clicking here