London Pride cancelled with «phoney» excuse
Nothing to do with Covid-19, Mostly due to sponsors withdrawing?
Responding to the cancellation of this September’s scheduled Pride In London parade, Pride patron and veteran since 1972, Peter Tatchell, said:
«The Pride organisers say the parade was cancelled because it could not conform to government and public health pandemic requirements. This is implausible. The Reclaim London Pride march was attended by thousands of mask-wearing people on 24 July, with no objection from the government, health authorities or police. The event was compliant with all pandemic rules and recommendations».
«I suspect the real reason for the cancellation is that big sponsors like Barclays and Tesco have reportedly pulled out, in the wake of damaging allegations of racism and bullying within the Pride organisation. A number of LGBTQ+ organisations have also apparently withdrawn their support».
«Pride has strayed far from the roots of the event. It’s corporate and depoliticised. The organisers no longer profile LGBTQ+ human rights issues».
«People are angry that the number of marchers is limited to 30,000, which every year results in thousands of people being turned away from the parade. It’s wrong that no one can participate without a paid-for wristband and that Westminster City council forces Pride pay £60,000 to march on public streets».
«As a patron of Pride and one of the organisers of the UK’s first Pride in 1972, I have attended every parade since then – 50 in total if you count this July’s Reclaim London Pride march and last year’s Gay Liberation Front Pride march».
«I thank Pride in London volunteers for their work but believe a major rethink is needed. We have to get back to what Pride was originally about».
«The founding principles of the LGBTQ+ Pride parade in 1972 were: LGBTQ+ visibility, the celebration of LGBTQ+ culture and the demand for LGBTQ+ liberation in the UK and worldwide. It was open to all who supported these core principles».
«The Pride parade should remain true to its founding ideals. Pride must be for the LGBTQ+ community – not city authorities or corporate funders. Their support is welcome but it must not overwhelm and dominate LGBTQ+ community groups» said Mr Tatchell.