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>>>> DOWNLOAD THE PRIDE IN OUR FUTURE REPORT <<<<
>>>> Download the report in grayscale here <<<<
* Please email info@manchesterpride.com if you require a colour contrast adjusted version of this report.
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Manchester Pride Charity has revealed the changes it will implement following its consultation with the region’s LGBTQ+ communities.
The six-month review was conducted after some LGBTQ+ communities indicated the focus of our grant-giving no longer reelected some of the key causes that mattered most to them.
The findings from the consultation addressed key areas surrounding its role in grant making for local groups and causes, as well as the format and delivery of the annual Manchester Pride celebration in August.
Manchester Pride will create more opportunities to consult with communities in order to co-design future Pride events
Connecting Manchester Pride Charity’s grant-giving work with input from communities
Ensuring all Manchester Pride events are accessible to all members of our communities we will:
Manchester Pride’s August celebrations will continue, the Charity will refocus its efforts back onto its activist roots
As a result, Pride celebrations will be focused around the Gay Village Party and MCR Pride Live will not go ahead in 2022 – it was identified as less important by the communities in furthering their aims
The Parade, The Candlelit Vigil, the Gay Village Party, Superbia Weekend, Youth Pride MCR, Family Pride MCR and Human Rights Forum will proceed – identified by the community as vital elements of Manchester Pride
A fixed amount or percentage of each ticket purchased to Pride events, directly to the community fund.
The Board of Trustees will be more visible and connected with communities, and commit to ensuring greater transparency on the charities actions.
Manchester Pride should be something everyone feels proud of and can see a little bit of themselves reflected back in.
- Paul Wheeler
Paul Wheeler, Chair of Manchester Pride’s board of Trustees, said:
“I’d like to say a big thank you to the thousands of individuals who had their say on the future direction of the Charity.
Manchester Pride should be something everyone feels proud of and can see a little bit of themselves reflected back in.
We acknowledge we got some things wrong last year and we’re sorry for the upset and frustration this caused. It is important that Manchester Pride reflects what Manchester’s LGBTQ+ communities tell us they want and this review has shown how we can do better.
The communities have been clear in saying their must-have elements over the weekend specifically include The Parade, The Candlelit Vigil and the Gay Village Party, whereas MCR Pride Live was seen as less important to furthering our cause.
First and foremost, we’re a campaigning charity fighting for equality and opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals across Greater Manchester, and the response from across our communities corroborates that position. We want more input into the charity’s operation, with a greater focus on campaigning, lobbying and education, whilst seeing fewer celebrity headline acts at MCR Pride Live.
That’s why we’re going back to our roots, our Pride celebration is about protest. As a result, we’ve listened to the communities’ comments, and will address their recommendations to refocus efforts back towards activism.
Furthermore, we will commit a fixed amount or percentage of each ticket purchase to Pride events directly to the community fund and provide clarity on where the remainder of the amounts generated from ticket sales is attributed."
Further details will be revealed on the Manchester Pride line up in the coming months.
Paul continued:
“The organisation has sought to address big questions and concerns, such as the role of Pride as a protest movement as opposed to a pop concert, how Pride can be more accessible, inclusive and safer, and how we go about giving grants.
We’ve also tried to address how we can be more transparent and connected as an organisation to Greater Manchester’s LGBTQ+ communities, surrounding the themes of communities, activism, giving and transparency.
Ensuring the charity now reflects the needs of our communities is now our focus. We don’t see this review as the end of the conversation, rather it’s the start. This report marks the beginning of more co-creation, more transparency and more listening.”
Communities - We want to put you at the centre of everything we do and pledge to undertake the following actions: Create multiple opportunities throughout the year to consult with our communities in order to co-design future Pride events. The main party element of our Pride celebrations will be focused around the Gay Village Party, close to the roots of where our story began. The ‘MCR Pride Live’ event will not happen in 2022. We will find a solution that maintains the levels of safety demanded by our communities while also addressing concerns of The Gay Village Party being fenced.
Giving - The research shows us that we haven’t done a good enough job when it comes to grants, including the amount and where it goes while being super transparent about our work and choices. In the coming weeks and months we will work to elevate our grants programme to ensure more people have the chance to access the Manchester Pride community fund and our communities can see exactly where their contributions are distributed. In order to achieve this we will undertake the following actions: We will commit a fixed amount or percentage of each ticket purchased to Pride events directly to the community fund and provide greater clarity on where the remainder of the amounts generated is attributed. By the end of May 2022 we will overhaul our grants making process making it clear and more transparent. To achieve this, we will: Establish a new community grants panel.
Activism - The research illustrated our communities want Manchester Pride to advocate more for LGBTQ+ issues and put the community back in the heart of everything we do. Our communities are more attuned than ever to social justice campaigns as we harness the power of allyship to advocate for those who are further marginalised than ourselves. The Pride events programme will focus on protest and activism. We will elevate and embed the heritage and history of the Pride movement, particularly in Greater Manchester, into all Pride events and charitable activities. We will support an iconic issue to campaign for each year, based on feedback from this review in 2022 we will campaign against hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people.
Transparency - We hold our hands up, we have not communicated to our communities effectively enough and our responses have not always been quick enough. Moving forward we want you to have greater visibility of the work we’re doing week in week out. To do this we will commit to the following actions: We will make improvements to charity communications across the board. This will include updates to the website, regular email communication to our database of supporters, more visibility of our team and regular, engaging social media updates. Our Board of Trustees needs to be more visible to, and connected with our communities. We will take steps to ensure this happens, including regular listening sessions and more regular connections between trustees and other LGBTQ+ organisations and stakeholders. Our vision, mission and goals will be clearly outlined and published ensuring LGBTQ+ communities know exactly what we do.
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>>>> DOWNLOAD THE PRIDE IN OUR FUTURE REPORT <<<<
>>>> Download the report in grayscale here <<<<
* Please email info@manchesterpride.com if you require a colour contrast adjusted version of this report.
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