As a trans community representative, I want to express my support for Pride and the Rainbow Fund which benefits from it.
The Rainbow Fund is a crucial source of grant funding for many grass-roots community-led groups in the LGBT+/HIV sector including those run by, and for trans and non-binary people.
I know there has been unrest recently following the booking of Britney Spears at Pride 2018, including, unfortunately, negative comments and unfounded accusations about Pride organisers and the grant-making body Rainbow Fund. These organisations are fully accountable and transparent, standing up to scrutiny and deserve both the respect and support of the local LGBT+ communities.
Whilst I will not deny that there are ongoing issues of safety for trans people at Pride which cause concern, there is a genuine will to work to eradicate transphobic behaviour and make Pride fully accessible to all members of our communities.
Unrest over ticket prices and financial accessibility is mitigated by offering local LGBT+ folk a free ticket in exchange for volunteering in the park. This is a great way to give something back, show support to the team who get this amazing festival together and make sure that proceeds continue to come back into the local communities, benefitting us all, all year round.
Pride isn’t just a party, it is the hand that feeds us, and we cannot afford to bite.
Stand with Pride!
Dr Samuel Hall MBBS, FRCA
Chair Clare Project
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