Manchester’s 6th annual World Naked Bike Ride took place on Friday 3 June 2011 at 7pm. Here’s my exclusive video of it.
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In the absence of any official public forums or public meetings, we set up a group on Facebook to discuss the facts and changes people would like to see at Manchester Pride.
The questions were put in a letter and on Friday 8th April 2011 Manchester’s premier drag queen Wynnie LaFreak delivered it to Pride HQ in person. You can see what happened in this video.
Read the letter here (PDF).
LINKS
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The origins of Manchester Pride go back to 1990 when an August Bank Holiday event was set up by several of the gay businesses. The aim being to raise money for good causes – particularly for those connected with HIV and AIDS.
So it’s quite extraordinary to hear that, this year, the opposite has happened; some of the money raised by Manchester Pride has been handed to the Village Business Association (VBA) – the body that represents businesses in and around Canal Street.
While many charities face cuts and a fall in income due to the economic situation, and some community projects get no financial support whatsoever, the VBA has received £4,000 which will go towards the cost of putting up a decorative arch at both ends of Canal Street.
This sum won’t cover the entire cost of the project. But luckily Manchester City Council has some spare money.
At the same time as it announces it has been left with no option but to make 2,000 job cuts, the City Council has been able to find £8,000 to put towards this project.
It’s being described as an ‘arts project’ and the arches may look something like the structure in nearby Chinatown. But some people who bought tickets for Manchester Pride or put money into a collection bucket must wonder if this is an appropriate use of the charity fund.
Also, as news is announced that no less than three venues are threatened with closure, they might wonder whether charity money is being used to try and shore up the profits of businesses in the gay village.
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Information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) |
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Year |
Sponsorship provided by MCC which is ring-fenced for the Pride Parade only |
Charges made and paid to MCC in respect of the overall Pride event including the Big Weekend |
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2005 |
£20,000 |
£13,600 |
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2006 |
£25,000 |
£26,250 |
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2007 |
£25,000 |
£32,620 |
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2008 |
£27,500 |
£27,660 |
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2009 |
£32,500 |
£28,500 |
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2010 |
£32,500 |
£33,300 |
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The sums paid to Manchester City Council do not include charges made by Greater Manchester Waste (now known as ENVIRONMENTS) for the removal of rubbish which is between £6000 and £9000 per annum. You can see full details of the FOI request here. |
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As you can see, even if we ignore the thousands of pounds that are charged for removal of rubbish, in four out of the last six years the City Council has clawed back in charges more than it gave the event.
It gives with one hand and gets the kudos for supporting the LGBT community, while taking with the other.
The City Council gave more than £2m towards the running costs of Manchester’s International Festival in 2007. The Festival was expected to bring in £32m of extra business to the city, while we’re told Pride brings in £22m of extra business some years.
And about £250,000 given for the Manchester Day Parade in 2011 (BBC).
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Lisa on 
Jennifer on