said by Ashdownman
on Sunday, 13 June 2010, 4:07pm

I declare two interests in Pride.

As a member of the Gay Community I wish it only the best of health. But my company Monk Marketing is also the exclusive provider of official Pride Merchandise. I have therefore kept a very keen eye on things during the decline and potential fall of what was something Brighton could be really proud of.

Obviously some major mistakes have been made and the parties concerned have just not seemed to want to compromise.

I believe that one of the problems is that this is a major business with a turnover of over £350,000. Though I believe they may have had the best will in the world, I dont think the trustees have had the skill to deal with this venture. In saying this, I am probably inaccurate, as trying to find out who the trustees are is very difficult.

Since my own background is legal, event organising (for Coca-Cola) and marketing, I have made it known to various people that I would be happy to help get it out of its current mess but I think it will need a lot more transparency by both sides before we can advance matters.

Nick Beck

said by stevecp
on Monday, 14 June 2010, 10:42pm

Although not originally from Brighton, I - like many others - have been made VERY welcome since I arrived, doey eyed and in awe of everything that Brighton has to offer.

Brighton Pride is by far THE best festival there was bare none until two maybe three Prides ago. I decided that I was not going to attend the main event in Preston Park as last year it was too crowded and too chaotic. It has basically gotten too big for it to continue to run as a free festival.

Two options are available now. The first would be to charge and entrance fee. This to me will make it lose the Pride if Brighton. Too commercial and far too difficult to secure. The second and more attractive one is to go back to the basics and have a Pink Picnic. And start all over again!

said by jimmegee
on Monday, 21 June 2010, 9:02pm

I am really, really worried and saddened by what I hear and read about this year's Pride. I can only assume that it'll go on regardless, we can only hope that the people and organisations that have made Pride so great in the past will limp on - somehow - and keep the punters who pour into our great city to enjoy Pride every year in all its various forms happy. What do we do, guys? What's the solution? I'm thinking of volunteering to help out, but I don't want to be sleeping with the enemy if all the allegations being bandied about are true. I just don't want Pride to collapse into farce, so to me, the only solution is to take the bull by the horns and lead the parade, ignoring all the politics.