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City gets first gay festival
7:10am Tuesday 10th November 2009
-
- Exclusive By Richard Vernalls » twitter.com/rvernallsWN
WORCESTER is to get its first ever Gay Pride festival.
The Worcester Pride event on Pitchcroft is coming to the city in June 2010 with organisers hoping thousands will visit, bringing a massive boost to trade, culture and tourism.
Lee Winters, event manager and member of organisers Worcester Pride Forum, said: “It is going to be electric.
“It is very exciting, it is definitely going to happen and everybody is invited.”
The city is currently more famous for its mediaeval cathedral, historic buildings and its part in the Battle of Worcester but Mr Winters is hoping the event will highlight the city’s contemporary culture.
The festival on Saturday, June 26, will be split into daytime and evening events with the overall message on bringing people from all communities together.
On Pitchcroft, there will be food market stalls, dance and beer tents, family activities, chill out tents and fashion show with a sound stage as the centrepoint for much of the entertainment.
In the evening, the focus will be on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) community with club-owners and promoters being contacted to support the festival in pubs and bars around the city, as events continue at the racecourse.
Organisers are staying tight-lipped but confirmed support from at least two celebrities who will perform at the event.
It is estimated there are more than 5,500 people in the city’s LGBT community alone, with organisers certain they can attract thousands more.
“We want to break down the barriers of gay and gay-friendly pubs and other clubs in the city,” said Mr Winters.
“This is a completely free and inclusive event, you can be gay, straight, disabled or from an ethnic community. Everybody is welcome.”
The huge task of organising the city’s first pride festival means backers want to hear from local traders, suppliers and residents keen to help out or run a trade stand.
“We want to support local traders and, where possible, source equipment from the county,” said Mr Winters.
A series of fund-raisers is also planned between now and the summer, with the first at the Edgar Suite Bowl Extreme on Friday, November 27, with live music, compere, an adult quiz and other entertainment.
Any profit made from the event will go to cancer charities, including Worcestershire Breast Cancer Unit Campaign, which is supported by your Worcester News, and the Worcester Aids Foundation.
For more information and updates, log on to the website at worcesterpride.co.uk, e-mail info@worcesterpride.co.uk or check the Twitter and Facebook sites.
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Your Say Your Worcester
MrStJohns, St Johns Worcester says...
12:44pm Tue 10 Nov 09
Stevio10, says...
12:46pm Tue 10 Nov 09
Or are you suggesting that the WN does not cover events that people in the city may find interesting and instead simply report items that interest you?
molecat, worcester says...
12:56pm Tue 10 Nov 09
;-)
Vigornian, Worcester says...
1:06pm Tue 10 Nov 09
Sir Smeg wrote:Difference from the norm! And I assume Sir Smeg is normal? Chances are someone you know is gay, be it a relative, someone you work with, or a close friend.
Why do minorities insist on shouting their 'difference from the norm' at every opportunity?
I don't go around telling everyone I see that I'm straight/white/C of E/British what-have-you. Some citizens consider these minority views quite offensive and disturbing. If you are, or want to be different, I say 'go ahead' but I don't necessarily want to hear about it thank you very much.
You are bound to say that 5,500 people is a minority but this is probably comparable to the number that attend the beer festival on Pitchcroft every year. Should the promotion of that event be kept quiet too?
Georgie Dragon, St John's says...
1:26pm Tue 10 Nov 09
The reason is that gay people, in general, prefer to mix with their own kind. I frequent many pubs within the City of Worcester (The Brewery Tap NOT being one of them) and the majority of people know that I am gay - I’ve never had a single problem from anyone because of it. Probably because I don't see myself as being different to them and I certainly don’t claim that I am from a "community" from which they would be excluded.
People who plan these pointless, ego-boosting events deserve to be a victim of the non-existent homophobia that they claim is prevalent in this country.
Perhaps instead of poncing about on Worcester Racecourse, the "gay community" might consider not patronising the rest of us once in a while by branding these events as "gay friendly".
Worcester City FC is gay friendly
Worcestershire CCC is gay friendly
Worcester Racecourse is gay friendly
Sixways is gay friendly
The Bell, The Plough, The Dragon, The Cricketers, The Postal Order, The 5 Bookies in the City Centre, The entire City is gay-friendly.
But maybe that's because I don't make a fuss about it.
disbelief, wr says...
2:20pm Tue 10 Nov 09
Vigornian, Worcester says...
2:26pm Tue 10 Nov 09
chris peacockpeacock, yealmpton says...
2:35pm Tue 10 Nov 09
Vigornian, Worcester says...
2:52pm Tue 10 Nov 09
I've never been political about my sexuality, and I never advertise the fact that I am gay, because there is just no need to. But when it comes to some of the comments on here, it just goes to highlight the "small city mentality" that is and will forever be prevalent in Worcester.
ps I've only ever done the YMCA dance at a heterosexual wedding ... go figure that one out!
MrStJohns, St Johns Worcester says...
3:04pm Tue 10 Nov 09
Vigornian, Worcester says...
3:07pm Tue 10 Nov 09
MrStJohns wrote:"disbelief", "molecat" ???
To be honest vigornian, the only comment that is daft in its entirety is from sir smeg, from the name I would think there is a hint of internet troll going on. So I don’t think Worcester has a small minded attitude at all it seems quite the opposite from reading the comments, which are 99% in support of such an event.
MrStJohns, St Johns Worcester says...
3:15pm Tue 10 Nov 09
JBLM2008, Worcester says...
3:40pm Tue 10 Nov 09
p.s it's nice to see you are deffence of those who are being mentioned because you share the same sexuality however when it comes to you having a go at other minority groups such as people who work for Local Government for example (which can be classed as a minority) you think that's ok??
Bliss, Stourport-on-Severn says...
4:29pm Tue 10 Nov 09
Is not making a fuss about your sexuality keeping quiet about it? Maybe if you were more open you would experiance some form of homophobia or have you got a case of internalised homophobia and find such openness such as Pride events a threat?
P.S. Have a chat with Sir Smeg to prove your point about Worcester being gay-friendley.
Karl_88, Worcester says...
4:29pm Tue 10 Nov 09
I would like to point out that in an age of modern science and atheism being CofE isn't exactly normal, and you yourself do not represent what should be considered the 'norm'. But I ask, do you not go to church gatherings and celebrate your faith? Should these events not be put into the local Newspaper? Should we only print articles that interest you?
This event is a great idea and gay pride is important to celebrate as it show's that homosexuals can hold their heads high in society despite people like you. People forget that the LGBT communtiy has only recently been given equal rights and it is important to continue to celebrate their right to be LGBT. If you don't want to hear about things like this then I suggest you live as a hermit. If you don't want to attend then don't, but do you really have to rant on about people who are differnet from you; a trait which is ultimately the reason why we have festivals like this in the first place?
This festival will also be good for business and will bring money into the local area. I think it's great that Worcester are keeping up with the 21st Century.
M@lvernite, UK says...
5:21pm Tue 10 Nov 09
At best, if done tactfully this could prove an effective exercise in multicultural box-ticking.
At worst it could be seen as being in very poor taste; a certain episode of South Park featuring a parade to promote awareness of conjoined twin myslexia springs to mind.
Roll up, roll up!
Logik, Worcester says...
6:26pm Tue 10 Nov 09
Hawlev, Droitwich says...
6:48pm Tue 10 Nov 09
TraceyLove, Ipswich says...
7:05pm Tue 10 Nov 09
Concidering I actually left Worcester, as 'being gay' just wasn't acceptable, this is a massive thing...
Anyone who has been to a 'Pride Festival' beit in Manchester, Brighton or where ever will know that you don't don your village people costume and dance to the ymca all day. It's about culture and diversity, and its really nice to see that good old Worcester is finally catching up.
Well done...
I might even pop 'home'.
TraceyLove, Ipswich says...
7:13pm Tue 10 Nov 09
If any 'straighties' decide to let there hair down and join the party, you are most welcome, as you would be at any festival.
I for one, promise not to be bigotted or narrow minded, but welcome you with open arms.
As any NORMAL human being would.
Cheers! Tx
Ted Elgar, Broadheath says...
7:17pm Tue 10 Nov 09
Karl_88, Worcester says...
7:41pm Tue 10 Nov 09
And Logik just because you attend the avent it doesn't mean that you look like you're gay. Just like attending a food fair doesn't mean you're fat
lotusfaery, Worcester says...
7:48pm Tue 10 Nov 09
Ted Elgar, Broadheath says...
7:52pm Tue 10 Nov 09
I wasn't stereotyping and I meant Conservative with a big 'C' not conservative with an attitude problem.. In the way that one can be liberal and an entrepreneur.
molecat, worcester says...
7:57pm Tue 10 Nov 09
Vigornian wrote:Vigornian, I'll make a joke about it if I want to - but please please don't think I'm one of the small minded contingent - I'm absolutely 100% in favour of this. I don't think Brighton is in much danger of losing all all of its pink pound revenue to Worcester though, but anything that adds a bit more colour to the dreadfully mediocre cultural calendar here is no bad thing. Sadly though it'll probably end up being a few over enthusiastic recently "out" gay men who feel the need to out do each other by being as camp as possible, rather than a great party to celebrate people's diversity. A bit more la-di-da than Mardi Gras you could say!! ;-)
MrStJohns wrote: To be honest vigornian, the only comment that is daft in its entirety is from sir smeg, from the name I would think there is a hint of internet troll going on. So I don’t think Worcester has a small minded attitude at all it seems quite the opposite from reading the comments, which are 99% in support of such an event."disbelief", "molecat" ???
lotusfaery, Worcester says...
8:06pm Tue 10 Nov 09
raq, fernhill heath says...
8:23pm Tue 10 Nov 09
P.S. the posts above have made me laugh out loud, after a very long day at work!
Georgie Dragon, St John's says...
8:44pm Tue 10 Nov 09
Bliss wrote:I am quite open about it thank you. I simply tell my friends, family and those whose buisness it is about my sexuality and not the entire City. I think that the reason that I don't see any homophobia is that, unlike a lot of gay people, I can see the humour when someone uses terms such as poof (the magic dragon of course) and bender in a comical way rather than squealing like a big girl about it that someone has said something nasty.
Georgie, Is not making a fuss about your sexuality keeping quiet about it? Maybe if you were more open you would experiance some form of homophobia or have you got a case of internalised homophobia and find such openness such as Pride events a threat? P.S. Have a chat with Sir Smeg to prove your point about Worcester being gay-friendley.
I'm quite sure that Sir Smeg would happily share a pint with me. Baccardi and coke for me please ;-)
Georgie Dragon, St John's says...
9:10pm Tue 10 Nov 09
Logik, Worcester says...
9:15pm Tue 10 Nov 09
8:06pm Tue 10 Nov 09
Oh yes, by the way @ Logik ... who cares what other people think? If the only thing stopping you attending such events is the worry you may be perceived as gay, then that's just daft.
.
.
Gays cannot change the way they are and I accept that. On the other hand I can't change who I am and how I feel and equally, that should warrant the same respect. That doesn't make me daft Lotusfaery.
lotusfaery, Worcester says...
9:35pm Tue 10 Nov 09
pudniw_gib, Malvern says...
10:11pm Tue 10 Nov 09
SpeakMyMind, Worcester City says...
10:21pm Tue 10 Nov 09
...
To Georgie, I address the fact that you may be gay and have no problems, most of my gay friends have no problems either, but I do know some who have horrendous problems still. There are people who do not walk around with a gay badge of office, and I am sure they don’t draw as much attention as those who are more openly so?
...
NO straight people have managed to pull a major event / carnival together in some years, so why complain when the gay community offer to entertain the city. Without the event Worcester would just be yet another little named city with a vacant slot in June on Pitchcroft; WITH this event there is something happening, entertaining, educational and open to everyone. Is there a downside?
Ted Elgar, Broadheath says...
11:06pm Tue 10 Nov 09
- I for one love closet-homosexuals.
Daffyd dyffed, says...
11:24pm Tue 10 Nov 09
Georgie Dragon, St John's says...
12:34am Wed 11 Nov 09
Daffyd dyffed wrote:WE BLOODY ARE!!!!!
A free festival is a super idea, yes we dont need to bang on about, gay rights, we just want to be accepted into the community.
I think people like you exclude yourself from the community do that you can whinge about it at a later date.
Georgie Dragon, St John's says...
12:46am Wed 11 Nov 09
SpeakMyMind wrote:Sorry, not sure how to only quote the middle bit....
It is inclusion not exclusion that builds a community..’Sir Smeg’ does seem keen to stick his nose in the ground and ignore the fact that others could exist around him. As someone that has many gay friends I support this, but then I would also support it if it were for some other group of persons that does not get wide media coverage or acceptance. Homophobia still exists; bullying in schools still exists; closed minded parents still evict children who are gay. So long as “these” types of people exist, then this event is still required to educate them. ... To Georgie, I address the fact that you may be gay and have no problems, most of my gay friends have no problems either, but I do know some who have horrendous problems still. There are people who do not walk around with a gay badge of office, and I am sure they don’t draw as much attention as those who are more openly so? ... NO straight people have managed to pull a major event / carnival together in some years, so why complain when the gay community offer to entertain the city. Without the event Worcester would just be yet another little named city with a vacant slot in June on Pitchcroft; WITH this event there is something happening, entertaining, educational and open to everyone. Is there a downside?
I understand that there may well be a small minority of people who still have a problem with parents etc. but I just can't see how this sort of even helps to educate the very few homophobic people left in the country. From my (albeit limited) experience of these events, it would make their fear/hatrid even worse if anything!
At Worcester City FC on Saturday, there was an 'anti-racism' day. Again, I'm not sure that there is as much racism in this country as some people seem to think, but the message was much better put across by getting kids and parents into an environment that they enjoy and portraying the message to them in a far more subtle manner.
This event being labelled a "gay pride" event will bring out the queens and I'm afraid that's what will put me off. - adn that fact that it's called "pride" - but that's a different story.
worcester35, Stratford upon Avon says...
1:46am Wed 11 Nov 09
Well done to the organisers of Pride for actually deciding to arrange this - there's nothing wrong with being seen as the vibrant part of an otherwise very homophobic region.
I hope that you may be able to achieve a similar situation to Manchester and Brighton where the whole community gets involved regardless of anything in celebration of the city being accepting and "modern" in outlook.
Due to my experiences I will have moved back to Manchester by the time this happens but I wish the organisers good luck and I hope you don't encounter too much of the old-school middle england attitudes along the way.
All the best x
P.S.
It's not about shouting about who we are or being treated more superior - it's about being treated as equals.
molecat, worcester says...
8:12am Wed 11 Nov 09
t know what to make of that!! ;-)
JBLM2008, Worcester says...
8:42am Wed 11 Nov 09
worcester35, Stratford upon Avon says...
10:59am Wed 11 Nov 09
molecat wrote:Make of it that due to horrendous middle england homophobia I cannot sleep, have considered suicide, am constantly looking over my shoulder when I'm out and feel as if I'm on a different planet .... it's not nice being treated like I have leprosy, constantly stared at, pointed at, smirked at, laughed at and being screamed at on trains and buses and at stations just because of who I am. The sad thing is though much of middle england thinks it's what you do "stare at and mock the different" - which in some ways makes me have pity and sorrow for the general culture and attitudes of the area and in other ways make me think that things are just a bit naive and childish in going against what is normal and modern. In other areas if you did this kind of thing, it would be the other way round and people would stare at the people being homophobic; etc and view them as very unusual. However, like I said, Worcester's marginally more comfortable than Coventry and Warwickshire; but youve a long, long, long way to go to be actually classed as accepting in the modern age. It isn't necessary to make a point of criticising LGBT people so that people will know you're straight - that just shows one of many forms of ignorance.
Please don't take this the wrong way anyone...but reading to the end of this thread, looking at the time of your postings, it does rather seem that the gay community tends to stay up much later than us heterosexuals...don'
t know what to make of that!! ;-)
I'm sure there will STILL be homophobic viewpoints though even after reading how it affects people. I just don't get this region atall.
Karl_88, Worcester says...
2:42pm Wed 11 Nov 09
Karl_88, Worcester says...
2:48pm Wed 11 Nov 09
Worcester35 please don't commit suicide, just move somewhere less homophobic. That's what I did, all though I never found Worcester itself to be that homophobic
CDH, Worcester says...
2:49pm Wed 11 Nov 09
worcester35, Stratford upon Avon says...
3:57pm Wed 11 Nov 09
Karl_88 wrote:Karl_88 thanks for your concern; it's appreciated and made me feel a bit better.
Thanks Hayley
Worcester35 please don't commit suicide, just move somewhere less homophobic. That's what I did, all though I never found Worcester itself to be that homophobic
When I save some more money I will be moving but like you said Worcester is the slightly better part of the area for attitudes;etc.
Thanks again :)
TraceyLove, Ipswich says...
4:39pm Wed 11 Nov 09
worcester35 wrote:When I think how many people must have left Worcester, because of it's general narrow-mindedness, it makes me a little sad.
Karl_88 wrote: Thanks Hayley Worcester35 please don't commit suicide, just move somewhere less homophobic. That's what I did, all though I never found Worcester itself to be that homophobicKarl_88 thanks for your concern; it's appreciated and made me feel a bit better. When I save some more money I will be moving but like you said Worcester is the slightly better part of the area for attitudes;etc. Thanks again :)
After all, that's why I left.
Ok... spread the word...
Not only is this going to be a Pride Festival, its going to be a reunion for everyone who left...
I just hope good ole Worcester is ready for us...!!!
Now, where are my Doc Martins and must book into the hairdresser to get a short back and sides.
Will leave business cards at home, and not do my eyebrows for at least a month!!!
After all, I'd hate to disappoint.... ;O) x
thompson9100, St Johns says...
9:09pm Wed 11 Nov 09
Some people forget what minorities are - and I agree that Mr Smeg Head is certainly in a CofE minority here. Mind, he got it right with his name at least (go look it up on Google if you don't know what it means!). Think he is quite honestly a Smeg Head - and maybe that's also a minority group too. :)
SpeakMyMind, Worcester City says...
12:39am Thu 12 Nov 09
…
As for those who are anti-gay not going to the pride event, I am sure they won’t. But if this is an annual event, with 5000 to 10000 gay people in Worcester for a weekend once a year will bring about a stronger and more stabilised community in the Faithful city, and trends will change. This guy who hates queers can lock himself away in his home, or come out and join the rest of the twenty first century and stop being so bigoted
worcester35, Stratford upon Avon says...
10:34am Thu 12 Nov 09
SpeakMyMind wrote:Just so you know Im not in the closet, and also not struggling with homosexuality, have never been "in denial" have accepted myself from the age 0f 12! Im happy with myself but its other narrow minded types who have a big problem.Also not ashamed or anything like that(why should I be); but coming to the west midlands from such a gay friendly place as Manchester is just horrendous- next youll be saying ethnic minorities should shrug off racism- actually Ive heard people in the west midlands say such!
Open and out gay guys who are happy and acceptant of themselves and who they are, deal with homophobia much easier than those who struggle with it, or who are felt to be ashamed still? Getting embarrassed, shying away from comments of gay, puff, queer… when the response should be “yes” what about it? I don’t deny at all that some gay guy do bring it on themselves by staying in closets.
…
As for those who are anti-gay not going to the pride event, I am sure they won’t. But if this is an annual event, with 5000 to 10000 gay people in Worcester for a weekend once a year will bring about a stronger and more stabilised community in the Faithful city, and trends will change. This guy who hates queers can lock himself away in his home, or come out and join the rest of the twenty first century and stop being so bigoted
Poof,queer etc ARE very offensive terms to use. But it seems that the middle england culture is a world away from other more forward thinking kinds of places- so, if minorities are treated in such an old school way then theyll then treat themselves and view themsleves in a completely different way wont they?
No more to say as its futile to make middle england see the modern way.
Georgie Dragon, St John's says...
2:34pm Thu 12 Nov 09
I think you Mancs and other outsiders just don't get the Wuzdah/West Midlands sense of humour.
Hurricane Vicky, St Johns says...
4:15pm Thu 12 Nov 09
Pride is not all about about trumpeting our sexual orientations from the rooftops, as many seem to think. After years of oppression, gay people in Britain are now (mostly) welcomed into the community. (I say mostly, because homophobia DOES still exist, in many forms - Sir Smeg's first comment being a case in point.) Gay Pride is a CELEBRATION of this. People like me no longer have to live in the closet, and we recognise and appreciate that fact. Gay people in other countries aren't so fortunate, so let's appreciate what we have here in the UK. What better way to celebrate than a big summer party where everyone is welcome?
I'm looking forward to it. I hope to see some of you there.
WorcesterMark, Warndon says...
12:29pm Fri 13 Nov 09
Olga, Worcester says...
2:32pm Fri 13 Nov 09
2:49pm Wed 11 Nov 09
If this was an "asian pride festival" would there be all this fuss
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Shame this isn't "Asian Pride" festival ------------ at least there would be decent food at the event!!
Avante, Worcester says...
10:44am Mon 16 Nov 09
Georgie Dragon, St John's says...
12:55pm Mon 16 Nov 09
Avante, Worcester says...
2:36pm Mon 16 Nov 09
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Sir Smeg, Worcester says...
12:26pm Tue 10 Nov 09
I don't go around telling everyone I see that I'm straight/white/C of E/British what-have-you. Some citizens consider these minority views quite offensive and disturbing. If you are, or want to be different, I say 'go ahead' but I don't necessarily want to hear about it thank you very much.