About 25 people marched through the gay village in Manchester on Saturday afternoon, the latest in a series of protests to hit the North’s biggest gay community and Pride organisation.
Some protestors wore robbers masks as part of a thieves and villains theme.
One banner read: “You stole our HIV/AIDS fundraiser and safe gay village”
Protest organiser Adam, of the Better Rethink LGBTQ Manchester Facebook group, said the action was in part about the volatile atmosphere in Manchester’s gay village.
Dressed from head to foot in stripes as an ‘exploited human barcode’ Adam said: “there’s a lot of discontent with Pride and the village in general. About how it’s declining and the way in which the community isn’t respected.”
“They’ve stolen our respect, our dreams, our hopes and our Pride…”
Protestors are concerned about the amount of money Manchester Pride raised in 2013 for local organisations. In November, Pride organisers announced they had raised £34,000.
A protestor called Craig, said: “I think the Lesbian and Gay Foundation (LGF), Pride, Manchester City Council and other assorted interested parties – all pee in the same pot. And that’s why it’s come down to £34,000 [raised for good causes by Manchester Pride this year]. Because all the money goes on marketing Manchester as a fun city and place to party.”
Until 2007 a group made up of the largest charities including the LGF sold tickets for Pride as “Operation Fundraiser” and in those days about one third of the ticket income reached good causes. If that formula had still been in place, Manchester Pride’s charity donations for 2012 would have been around £230,000 instead of £52,000. Campaigners say this is a sign of how the event has lost its way.
Protestors gathered in Sackville Park, marched down Richmond Street and Canal Street and finally made their way to the Manchester One tower on Portland Street which is the Manchester Pride HQ and fast becoming a focal point for demonstrations.
Leaflets were put through the door and village stalwart Julia Grant left a ‘symbolic’ gift-wrapped Christmas present. “It has a bar of soap inside,” she laughed. “Because they need to clean up their act.” Two men were dressed as Santa Claus.
Manchester Pride has announced listening groups in January. Opinions varied amongst the protesters. Some said it was too little too late, all on Pride’s own terms, and they want to see the current Board of Trustees “booted out” .
“Safe gay village now. No more Excuses,” was the message on another banner.
An HIV+ man was punched in the face by a woman at the Vigil at this year’s Manchester Pride. He is understood to have been protesting about the service he had received from a local HIV charity.
“The fact he was protesting at the Vigil has been controversial. But the issue of him being physically assaulted — apparently while being held by the police — has been kept very quiet to avoid corporate embarrassment,” said Geoff, co-founder of the Facebook group Facts About Manchester Pride, which supported Saturday’s protest. Geoff was there dressed as a “robber” in a ski mask.
In the early hours of 23 November two gay men, who are believed to have been wearing fetish gear, were badly beaten while waiting in the queue for a taxi on Richmond Street. One had teeth knocked out and the other needed a CAT scan because of blows to the head.
“The police, businesses, council and charities seem to be doing little more than manage the abuse, with rather lame yet costly initiatives such as the Village Angels,” said Geoff. “I’m very worried about how this might end up if they continue to be complacent and allow profit from fast-food, alcohol and taxis to be put ahead of the village being a safe space.
The LGF’s latest annual Village Census found that “overwhelmingly” respondents wanted the village “to be an exclusively gay area” and to “go back to being predominantly gay.”
The following statement was issued by Manchester Pride on November 21:
Manchester Pride is to distribute £34,000 to local LGBT charities following its events staged in 2013 including the August Bank Holiday Big Weekend.
The amount, which includes 100% of direct donations from the ring-fenced Community Fund, is lower than in previous years. The charity described it as “disappointing” confirming that it has launched a plan to boost future fundraising.
A small decline in ticket sales and a move towards buying one-day rather than full four-day wristbands were the main reasons behind the reduced fundraising.
To counter this trend, which began in 2012, the Board began a programme of measures including reducing costs that delivered savings of over £60,000 in the delivery of Big Weekend event compared to 2011.
“As a charity, we exist to campaign for, promote and celebrate LGBT life.” said Vicken Couligian, Chair of Manchester Pride.
“Our Parade, Pride Fringe arts festival and the Big Weekend successfully achieve this but over the last two years, fundraising levels have been disappointing.
“That’s why we are taking action to boost fundraising next year and beyond. We have a clear plan in place that will provide a bright future for the festival.
“Preparations for the 2014 festival have already started. It will take place on August bank holiday in Manchester’s Gay Village.”
The three part plan to boost fundraising focuses on:
* Reviewing the existing events to reduce costs significantly without compromising the quality of our events
* Accelerating the introduction of additional fundraising activity throughout the year
* Consulting with all our stakeholders, from the community to the City Council to Village businesses to shape Manchester Pride’s future direction together.
Work has already started and a full financial review is being carried out by one of Manchester Pride’s new trustees with relevant, specialist skills.
Manchester Pride has also launched Supersonic: Mach 2, a fundraising event that will be held underneath the wings of Concorde at Manchester Airport on Friday, April 11.
Other new events are also planned during 2014. The charity has also confirmed that it will hold listening groups from January across a variety of locations including in the City Centre.
It will also launch an online survey that will be promoted when the Supersonic: Mach 2 fundraiser tickets go on sale on 22 November.
Further details will be reported throughout the year in the build up to Manchester Pride’s main festival in August 2014.
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