WHO WE ARE
We are members of the LGBTQ+ community in Cambridge and we're working with The Pink Festival to put on the first ever Pride event in Cambridge!
Cambridge has a large queer community and a long history of LGBTQ+ events. The Pink Festival, which organised open-air summer events from 2003, has played a big part in that, so it might be surprising that Cambridge has never had an official Pride parade or festival! We’re aiming to remedy that by running the first Cambridge Pride in 2019, to take place on the 8th of June on Jesus Green.
At Cambridge Pride, we are dedicated to the elimination of discrimination, in particular on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identification; advancing education and raising awareness in equality and diversity; and promoting activities to foster understanding between people from diverse backgrounds
WHY A CAMBRIDGE PRIDE EVENT IS IMPORTANT
Here are just a few positive impacts we hope we can deliver by holding a large, public, centrally-located event celebrating LGBTQ+ identities and people:
We will affirm those identities and promote self-esteem among people in Cambridge. This will be a platform for us to say: we are proud of who we are.
We will bring people together and forge links within our community by focusing on involvement and celebration Although there are estimated to be 360,000 LGBTQ+ people in the East of England, the community is often fragmented due to rural isolation and relatively scarce services and amenities.
We will help to support local acts, artists and advocates by providing a platform.
We will help to increase equality and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community within the city and county. Increasing visibility also increases awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and promotes positive conversations, helping to challenge discrimination and negative assumptions.
“We want Pride to be a fun, inclusive event that celebrates our local community and has something for everyone.”
Elizabeth Wynn, chair of the Cambridge Pride working group
CHARITY
Cambridge Pride is organised in association with local charity 'The Pink Festival Group', which means we raise money that only goes back to the community. We are a not for profit organisation. Donations will go towards the necessary infrastructure to ensure the successful, safe and accessible running of the event. Every single team member, from the board of trustees to stewards are unpaid volunteers. The charity helping to organise Cambridge Pride supports charities that offer year-round support to the LGBTQ+ community beyond the Pride event (charity number 1163298)
EVENTS
We are excited to be holding the first ever Cambridge Pride event this year. This huge community event will be held at Jesus Green in the centre of Cambridge on Saturday 8 June 2019. We plan to include a main stage, pride parade, marquees for local acts to perform, local charity and community group stalls and food vans. Most importantly, this will be free of an entry fee so that it is accessible for all.
FUNDING
The event will be funded in part by proceeds from our 2018 Prelude to Pride events, grant funding where possible, and sponsorship from local and national organisations. But that only takes us half way to our target. We would like to do as much as possible through direct support from our community.
PAST EVENTS
Thanks to everyone who came!The JunctionThanks to everyone who came!The Junction, Cambridge, UK
Thanks to everyone who came!Dot Cotton Club, Station RoadThanks to everyone who came!Dot Cotton Club, Station Road, Cambridge, UK
Thanks to everyone who came!Gonville & Caius CollegeThanks to everyone who came!Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, UKThanks to everyone who came!Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, UKAn informal debate night to discuss the question "What does Pride mean to you?" - David Webb - Encompass Network - Rivers Solomon - Author of "An Unkindness of Ghosts" - Noah Tate - Cambridge University Press - Fox Benwell - Author of "The Last Leaves Falling" - Elizabeth Wynn - Cambridge Pride
Thanks to everyone who came!Parkers PieceThanks to everyone who came!Parkers Piece, Cambridge, UK
