Day: January 27, 2013

Landlord’s consent has been granted by Brighton & Hove Council to a new community grouping (CIC) headed up by Paul Kemp from Aeon Events, DJ Dulcie Danger and David Hill from E3 Entertainment Group to be the ‘Guardians’ and organisers of Pride 2013.

This year’s main event takes place at Preston Park on Saturday, August 3 and the Pride celebrations will include a two week LGBT Arts & Film Festival and the traditional Village Party on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4.

Norman Cook, International superstar DJ and recording artist, has pledged his support to the new Pride organisers. David Hill from E3 Entertainments Group has also agreed to sit on a financial scrutiny board along side Tony Chapman owner of Legends and David Calderhead owner of the Amsterdam Hotel to oversee ticket sales and make sure that local organisations receive £1 a head from every ticket sold which will be given to good causes.

Trevor Edwards has brought his skills to the new organisation after working with the owners of Stagfleet on last year’s successful event.

Paul Kemp, Dulcie Danger and David Hill have said they are delighted to be the ‘Guardians’ of this important event that is so essential to the LGBT community, businesses, LGBT organisations and the city.

Taking over the reins of such an iconic festival can be tricky but the ‘Guardians’ have made a point of listening to the public, businesses and the feedback from Pride 2012 to bring about positive solutions to flagged up concerns such as ticket purchasing, numbers of toilets and queues on Preston Park.

Pride is fully committed to engaging with the wider community for 2013 and the upcoming festival will cover a broader spectrum of events than ever before. New features will include an LGBT Film Festival, Arts Festival, improved winter pride and cultural events, rather than being focused on just the park festival and club nights alone.

The ‘Guardians’ of Pride recognise that the festival must play an all year round role in promoting the LGBT community and businesses, support local good causes and generally promote the city.

They will be regularly consulting with businesses and the community to ensure that Pride is reflective of the multi-faceted and diverse community that is Brighton & Hove.

Brighton is a vibrant city where many people of different cultures, backgrounds, abilities and faiths come together. It has a positive and unique character which its residents enjoy and embrace. People live here in the knowledge that they will be valued and that the things which make each individual different are celebrated – not despised.

The city takes great pleasure and pride in being surrounded by humanity in all its exciting diversity.

The far right group March for England, which is a division of the violent and racist organisation the English Defence League is intending once again to March in Brighton in April this year.

Groups like this come to Brighton because the city is multicultural in all its diversity and proves that the doctrine of hate spouted by the far right is wrong,  They want to damage the unity so evident in the city.

Brighton Unite Against Fascism have issued a called for unity asking everyone to stand together against the far right including:

• black, white and Asian

• people of all faiths and of no faith

• trade unionists

• people of different political persuasions

• University, school and college students

• people of all abilities

• whatever our sexuality

The statement read:

“In Brighton we all stand together. And when someone tries to threaten our community we must stand together even more firmly.”

And is supported by the following individuals and organisations.

• Brighton Trades Council

• Brighton and Hove Unite Against Fascism

• Brighton University UCU

• Brighton and Hove NUT

• University of Sussex Students Union

• Sussex Labour Representation Committee.

• Brighton Love Music Hate Racism

• Caroline Lucas, Green MP Brighton Pavillion

 • Itch – King Blues

• James Ledward –editor Gscene.

• Jason Kitkat, Green Party Councillor,  Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council

• Ollie Sykes, Green Party Councillor, Brunswick and Adelaide Ward

• Les Hamilton, Labour & Co-operative Councillor, South Portslade

• Liz Wakefield, Green Party Councillor, Hanover & Elm Grove

• Pete West, Green City Councillor for St Peter’s & North Laine Ward

• Warren Morgan, Labour & Co-operative Councillor for East Brighton

• Phélim Mac Cafferty, Green Party Councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide

• Alexandra Phillips, Green Councillor for Goldsmid ward

• Rob Jarrett, Green Party Councillor for Goldsmid

• Ian Davey, Green Party councillor for St Peter’s & North Laine

• Simon Burgess, Labour,  former leader, Brighton and Hove council

For more information about Brighton & Hove Against Fascism, click here: