Hundreds of supporters turned out to show support for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) people with mental health problems on Saturday 10, at the 'Stamp Out Stigma' event on Brighton Seafront.

The walk, organised by MindOUT, a charity supporting LGBT people with mental health problems and the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, was part of World Mental Health Day.

Speeches of support were given by Des Turner MP for Brighton Kemptown, Lisa Rodrigues, Chief Executive of Sussex Partnership NHS Trust and James Ledward, editor of Gscene magazine.

The Barulho Samba band led walkers and supporters from Brighton Pier to The Peace Statue were the three guest speakers judged a contest for the walkers wearing the most outrageous footwear.

Lisa Rodrigues said:
"Three out of every five people from the Brighton LGBT community experience mental ill-health at some point in their lives. Yet the sad fact is that not only do LGBT people face discrimination because of their lifestyle choices, they often suffer further stigma if they are mentally ill. It is unacceptable and the march highlighted this injustice."

Des Turner MP said:
"Ensuring people know that 1 in 4 people suffer mental health difficulties at some point in their life goes some way to tackling the stigma assocaited with mental health problems. I was happy to play my part in raising that awareness."

Simon Burgess the Labour candidate for Kemptown who was on the walk and has worked with people with learning disabilities and mental health problems said:
"LGBT people who suffer mental health problems can face a double whammy. Isolation and prejudice as LGBT and the stigma on mental illness. Today was a great way of saying you are not alone and that the NHS is working to give you the treatment and support you deserve."

James Ledward editor of Gscene Magazine said:
"The work that MindOUT have been doing in recent years has been ground breaking. We have watched their progress and supported them with a regular column in the magazine. Todays event has been hugely successful and will help further raise their profile within the LGBT community and beyond."