BPNW has lied in the past about how many members/CLIENTS it has on its records - and due to the complicated methods of monitoring its work like how many people actually access their services and what made me feel very sick to the sight was the organisation telling the Gay Business Association (GBA) and Manchester Pride and so on to be far more transparent - well BPNW have closed Annual General Meetings (AGM) often and you can check this youselves sending accounts nearly 12 months after the AGM and when it comes to communications - well Ms Felicity (aka Phil) Greenham the Chief Executive Officer does not come clean with her work history and how she got that job via the back door. No advertising, no open and transparency when it comes down to interviews. She is also bully, cause soon as she took that role only people who meet her micro management style can work for her. Oh by the way - her daughter is now employed in a full-time/part-time position as Volunteer Coordinator which since BPNW was conceived has alway been a voluntary post. Another CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

And finally since the sale of Lawrence House, City Road, Hulme BPNW are spending into their savings and money earned from the sale of said property to fund the jobs this person has now. Far more jobs “for the boys” than ever before.

Much of their funding is as it filters in from organisations which do not have any history with this person and the charity.

And finally - banning and exluding people living with the North West from access to any of its services for speaking out about the mis-management and malpractice of said charity is this really of public interest.

I and a few of us have tried to inform many people through a blogsite - which is currently suspended due to one person taking action (legally) and speaking of legally BPNW paid out over the past 5 years over (approx) £25K in costs to various individuals for unfair dismissal charges.

SO, “PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULDN’T THROW STONES.”

Myeslf and others maybe not perfect, but to be challenged by inperfection is outragous and against many laws.

Angry, frustrated and still alive - living with HIV

You have my support and i am sure that many will follow.

.
Regards

Brian Wright
EDEN.

Open letter

To Whom It May Concern

I write this letter further to recent statements and press coverage concerning Manchester Pride 2008 and to express my support for Mr Phil Burke.

Phil has been demonstrated complete support for the Gay Village for many years, and in particular the last few years as Chair of the VBA. He has represented the needs and concerns of all members, without bias, when dealing with many public bodies including Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Police to name but a few. I believe his recent statement to be of the same character, raising valid concerns and queries put to him by members of the VBA. Whilst I hold no particular opinion on the concerns raised, I do however believe that Phil is acting in the highest of capacities and the issues he raises should be debated in a fair and transparent matter. In a close-knit community such as ours I feel there will always be criticism, good and bad, and this should be used productively to further all our aims.

The festival known currently as Manchester Pride was, as correctly stated by Phil, born from a small community to further the needs of our community and to support a local hospital at the height of the HIV epidemic. From this we can be proud that the festival has grown to one of such huge proportions. Whilst the festival cannot ever go back to the original format, I feel that it is tremendously important that it remain true to those original ideals. I am fully aware of the financial implications of running such a huge event, along with the legal obligations placed upon the organisers and am mindful of this whilst writing this letter. As Phil rightly states there should be an open and fair debate, encompassing all sections of the community – businesses, charities, local residents, youth groups…the list should in no way be exclusive. It should be a full discussion with a full disclosure of the reasoning behind decisions taken by the Pride, with opportunity to pose advance questioning, and a Q&A at the meeting. There appears to be, not necessarily a lack of transparency, but perhaps a shortfall in the communication of reasoning for certain decisions. The community should at least have the opportunity to have their questions answered and the Pride Board should have the opportunity to explain how and why certain decisions are made.

I would suggest that like all members of the VBA, the event is an incredible showcase for the Gay Village and the City of Manchester and one we are incredibly proud of. The time is now to build on our successes, take stock of opinion and criticism, formulate solutions and move forward.

Phil Burke should not be criticised for his unwavering support for our Village and community. Without him it would be a more difficult place in which to operate. His independence as Chair of the VBA makes him a unique choice for the position and I support him fully in this role.

Regards

Melvin Taylor

Director ,

Cruz 101 & Naps

In Cornwall gay youth & gay/lesbian equality campaigners with EXPERIENCE of homophobic Cornwall policing & who have made formal complaints IGNORED by the authorities(Cornwall has a L-O-N-G history of homophobic policing), had it made clear they were NOT WELCOME at a pride event, however the police were in much trumpeted propoganda about police flying a flag for pride.

http://www.pinkpasty.blogspot.com