Pride News

With the festive season well behind us and the New Year well underway, the Doncaster Pride committee has turned its thoughts to plans for 2010.

 “After such an amazing event last year we’ve decided to pull out the stops for 2010 and really make a difference for the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Doncaster” said chair Trevor Jones. “We’re starting the year with Doncaster’s first ever Pride Valentines Dinner which will take place on the 13th February at The Danum Hotel”.

The dinner will feature an exclusive dining area for gay diners as well as entertainment from local performers Anastacia and jazz duo Fiona and Glen. Diners will be able to enjoy the privacy of an intimate setting and a sumptuous 3 course meal along with the entertainment all for £25 per head.

Read more: Valentines Fund Raiser for Pride

The European Pride Organizers Association has cancelled EuroPride 2012 in honour of Pride London winning the bid to host WorldPride in 2012. 

Pride London's Colm Howard-Lloyd has also been elected to the board of EPOA as Media and Internet Director. He joins Paul Birrel, director of InterPride, the International Pride organizer's association, Laurie Powell, director of the UK-based Gay Business Association, and Andrew Prince, director of the UK black and ethnic minority LGBT festival Outburst (UK), in increasing Pride London's representation both in the UK and internationally.

EuroPride was successfully held in Zurich earlier in 2009. WorldPride will be held in London during the summer of 2012, just ahead of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. Organised by InterPride, WorldPride promotes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues on an international level through parades, festivals and other cultural activities.

WorldPride in 2012 is expected to attract over one million visitors. The dates planned are 23 June to 8 July 2012, with the main parade held on 7 July.

Far-right group the National Front are to be allowed to 'peacefully' protest at this year's Reading Pride parade and festival.

Their demonstration has been given the go ahead by local police in a move which has angered and divided the local LGBT community.

Chief Superintendent Richard Bennett said “It is the duty of the police to maintain public safety and strike a balance between allowing protesters their right to lawfully demonstrate while making sure there is minimal disruption to the local community.”

Steve Masters, chair of BOLGAF (Berkshire Older Lesbian & Gay Forum) had this to say, "This is the situation with the National Front and Reading Pride; after approaching Reading Police, they were allowed to have a static demo in the town centre and on the route of the march. They are allowed no more than 20 people & must have no abusive/offensive remarks,placards etc. Their rationale for all this is that they object to our "flamboyance" and "promoting homosexuality.  I still think this is nothing other than confontational, as their sole reason for being in that place at that time is to show their dislike for LBGT people; but the police say they have no choice but to allow it (on those conditions), in the interests of free speech."

Read more: National Front to protest at Reading Pride 2009

With an invited panel from across the full spectrum of politics, football, faith and culture.

Guest Panellist: Peter Tatchell, a veteran gay rights campaigner and Green Party candidate.

Ask your questions on homophobia in football, sexuality and religion, marriage versus civil partnership and more....

Tuesday 18 August 2009

Read more: Queer Question Time