Pride festival 'just about money'

Don Frame

August 29, 2008

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MANCHESTER'S Pride festival has been accused of betraying its gay and lesbian roots by a leading Gay Village businessman.

Phil Burke, chairman of the Village Business Association, says the annual event is no longer a celebration of lesbian and gay life, but a cynical money-making operation.

This year's event was the best-attended ever and is expected to raise around £100,000 for HIV charities.

But Mr Burke says local businesses responsible for starting the festival 18 years ago, are now 'shunned' in favour of bigger organisations.

He said: "It has become an annual excuse for the organisation behind Pride to become dictators and revel in the power that they wield.

"Little or no input is asked for - or actually wanted - from the very businesses that are the life blood of the whole event."

He claims independent business in the Gay Village are 'penalised' for not being able to afford the donations needed to be advertised in festival listings.

Support

He said: "Small businesses sometimes rely on the Big Weekend itself to fund their contribution, so therefore get absolutely no support, no listings, no encouragement and no help from Pride, because they haven't paid up.

"What should be a community-driven event is now a purely commercial operation. Established operators are shunned and overlooked for nonentity non-gay organisations that just have bigger purses."

But Pride festival manager Jackie Crozier says Mr Burke's view is not shared by other small businesses.

She said: "Many of the businesses in the village have already told us how happy they are with this year's event.

"We consult with the Village Business Association early in the planning process and we look forward to continuing that healthy dialogue."

And Mike Pollard, vice chairman of the Village Business Association, said he was 'totally surprised' at Mr Burke's comments made in an open letter.

He said: "It was a complete success. We can mention at least 20 venues who were completely happy and do not feel that Phil's letter comes from the majority of the Village."

To see a picture gallery of this years Pride parade click here .

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dessie, manchester (29/08/2008 at 08:58)

they close half of manchester off pubs and club make millions. what goes back into the coffers of manchester tax payers???

David Thomas (29/08/2008 at 09:00)

It's funnny. This man is clearly out of touch with life in the village in 2008. To me it sounds like he's a man that clearly doesn't like change and wants to keep things within an inner-circle of people that feel just because they have been around longer than everyone else that they are always right. I thought Manchester Pride was great and everywhere I went in the village over the weekend looked to be doing lots of business! If some of the smaller businesses need the money they make from pride to fund their involvement maybe they should save their pennies from this year for 2009 and stop moaning!

Nicola Richardson (29/08/2008 at 09:41)

I'm disheartened, why oh why ruin such an amazing 15 day celebration with such comments?

The 18th Birthday was by far the 'Best' pride I have attended, big bold brassy and proud!

Isn't this what Pride is about? If it takes a few extra pounds to pull it off then so be it. Jackie and the organisers deserve a huge huge Thank you!

Forget Mr Burkes comments, this was not a feeling reflected from the thousands of beaming faces who turned out to watch the parade and who would gladly pay again and again to be part of the celebrations.

As for the involvement of non-gay organisations, oh please!

Politically damaged, Castlefield (29/08/2008 at 09:49)

£100K donated to charity is pitifully low when thousands of Pride attenders are paying £17.50 a head just to get into the "gay village". I too think that Pride has lost its roots and become just a business venture. My partner and I decided to avoid it and fly off to Prague for the weekend!

Mark,Radcliffe. (29/08/2008 at 10:19)

"An annual excuse for the organisation behind Pride to become dictators and revel in the power that they wield"... In those halcyon,formative years of the Mardi Gras Festival where similar comments not made against the Organising Committee then..Accusations of Favouritism towards certain Venues from smaller Venues...Enlighten me Mr Burke,where you on those early committees ?..If so,sounds like your comments are tinged with nostalgia for those power-weilding days.

Mike S, Manchester (29/08/2008 at 11:40)

I think it's disgusting that the bars only make donations of £500 - £1,000. How much profit do they make as a result of the weekend?

When I learned last year that only £70,000 or so had been raised for charity in the last 5 years, I was disgusted and decided not to go this year. I watched the parade on Saturday but that was it for me.

Henry Piggot-Smythe, Prestbury (29/08/2008 at 11:44)

Its well time citizens realised that this concept of there being any kind of so called "gay village" in Manchester city centre is just a figment of their imagination. Look at any map of the area and nowhere will you find any kind of "village" and it's well time people realised the fact that a few drinking dens does not constitute any kind of village. Manchester is Britain's second city due to its heritage of business, industry, wholesaling, retailing and innovated architecture so wake up to the facts and lets move on with its further development as such. Real villages are made up of little ancient chapels, thatched cottages, brass adorned inns, well versed craftsmen, local craft shops, happy families, pony riders cantering around merrily and gaggles of geese waddling up the high street and not gregariously dressed drunks waddling from one drinking den to another bringing Manchester's reputation into disrepute with any visitors to the city.

Black Sabbath (29/08/2008 at 12:00)

Well said Henry.

Ace Shakepseare, manchester (29/08/2008 at 12:12)

Considering the gay community wanted to be equal to everybody else in our community,Quite a lot of people have been refused entry into some clubs and pubs because they were not gay or lesbians? I always thought that integration was everybody was the same all people enjoying themselves?,but that would be to mundane for some gay/lesbians some have to shout and scream what their sexual preferences are.

RT, UK (29/08/2008 at 12:23)

I doubt that the 'Village People' came fom a Village either.

This matter needs an independent review, to clear the air at least. I would give the time to do this.

It would confirm that businesses and others are as happy as stated.

PW, Manchester (29/08/2008 at 12:31)

I'm straight, but don't mind going into the bars in that area from time to time. You never feel threatened, and you can relax and enjoy yourself. No one minds if you are straight. But it can be more expensive than non-gay bars.

I don't like the touchy-feely things that go on blatantly, but I would object to straights doing the same.

Paul, Whalley Range (29/08/2008 at 12:53)

I went to Uni-Challenge and there was a mixture of gay and straight people having a great time

James Farrell (29/08/2008 at 13:03)

Henry, I'll say it again... you silly silly old man. If you're no part of it (which I assume by your homophobic comments on postings the other day you're not) let the gay community be, we've all had fun with or without your support. As you said the other day, if it we're down to you every gay, lesbian and bisexual would be doing national service - so what, we're good enough to represent the country but a weekend event is out of the question? Go back to your memoires of the war...

Also, you say in one comment that there's no "village" - fair enough, there's no horses, cottages, post offices etc that make up a stereotypical village but there's a solid community with good people who have a good time - that in my eyes is what makes it such a good community (or village as it's dubbed).

If you'd all care to read the article again there's only one line in that which is important - "£100,000 will be raised for charity" - that's what it's all about, doing something to help others and in my opinion there's no harm in having fun whilst at it!

MisterSalford, Salford, Manchester (29/08/2008 at 13:19)

You only have to do a quick search for the words "Manchester Pride" and "Protest" to see why Mr Burke is absolutely right. This whole fiasco is a complete scandal and it's about time Pride was given back to the community and taken out the grubby hands of the corrupt arms length management of Marketing Manchester and their rich cowboy friends. The gay community itself are already at the end of their tether and I remember seeing "Pride Not Profit" placards in the parade this year.

This looks like it could this be the end for Manchester Pride...

Laura Norder, Didsbury (29/08/2008 at 14:01)

"Its well time citizens realised that this concept of there being any kind of so called "gay village" in Manchester city centre is just a figment of their imagination. Look at any map of the area and nowhere will you find any kind of "village" and it's well time people realised the fact that a few drinking dens does not constitute any kind of village. Manchester is Britain's second city due to its heritage of business, industry, wholesaling, retailing and innovated architecture so wake up to the facts and lets move on with its further development as such. Real villages are made up of little ancient chapels, thatched cottages, brass adorned inns, well versed craftsmen, local craft shops, happy families, pony riders cantering around merrily and gaggles of geese waddling up the high street and not gregariously dressed drunks waddling from one drinking den to another bringing Manchester's reputation into disrepute with any visitors to the city." - Henry Piggot-Smythe, Prestbury

While I'm not disputing your lordship's sentiments, but... that's twice you've posted this in the past two months. ;-)

(I stayed in over the weekend, and wore my mother's old debutant gown.... hmmm... ermine!)

Starbuck (29/08/2008 at 14:47)

Right well, I suppose after the 5 people who oppose it have spoken, we'd be better stop it all now. Better to keep a few people happy than to actually raise £100k for charity. Better yet lets go back to the dark ages of how I imagine it used to be. A couple of people in Sackville park with a couple of stalls selling cakes and a few hand drawn leaflets, attracting precisely no one to manchester for the big weekend.

Well done you narrowminded people who don't seem to appreciate that A LOT of money IS raised for charities, maybe it does cost a fair bit to put on, but without the funds to put on a big event, just WHO is going to come along?

Times have changed since 18 odd years ago, get over it, enjoy it, enjoy the atmosphere, enjoy seeing everyone so happy, come and make your own contribution by volunteering, which by the way, was thoroughly enjoyable. And stop bitching and moaning.

Interesting to note as well....one of the girls protesting against pride was seen the next day IN THE PRIDE AREA!! So clearly this is very hypocritical and people have nothing better to do with their time than join some protest against something, just to make them feel better about themselves.

I really do despair.

David Thomas (29/08/2008 at 14:51)

I think it's all to easy for Mr Burke to make sweeping statements about the village businesses being unhappy about Pride. If they have a problem why don't they come forward and say who they are and what they would do differently. From what I can see it sounds like two or three mates are getting together to stick the knife into the organisers of pride and that's about it. Grow up. The village (if we're still calling ourselves that) is part of MANCHESTER and we shouldn't be trying to separate ourselves from the rest of the city. Again, I refer back to my earlier comments about old queens not happy to embrace change. The village is moving on - and raising money for charity at the same time. DO THE SAME!

Starbuck (29/08/2008 at 14:54)

INteresting that one of the protesters against pride was actually in the pride womens area the very next day. And didn't she look sheepish when confronted about the hypocracy of her situation.

Peter Wright (29/08/2008 at 14:54)

If you don't like it don't go, if the busineses feel hard done to: close up for the weekend. When I feel its not worth while I will stop going.Simple.

s Pudson (29/08/2008 at 15:56)

I agree, Manchester Pride has turned into ''Marketing Manchester Pride''. Pride should be giving back to the bars and people that made it what it was. It has gone way to commercial and is now used more as a showcase for Marketing Manchesters clients. I harldy recognised one person in the VIP tent when I looked. Being a Village regular myself I should of noticed some of the people and loyal customers that make the Village what it is. Maybe it was just an area for Marketing Manchester to entertain and network thier clients.......

kieron mckenna (29/08/2008 at 16:21)

now we have had the pride what bout mufc parade oh forgot richard lees stamps his feet and says no

adam mark dawson-wood (29/08/2008 at 17:43)

No longer for the people and the charities , Now for Big Business, get it Back to the true meaning . I've noted not like, it was like when it started all it is Money, money , Money .

Heather (29/08/2008 at 19:30)

How hypocritical. He is moaning in one breath that Pride is about the money and then in the next breath he is berating the lack of free/cheap advertising some companies received. Manchester Pride is a charity and I would bet Mr Burke knows many people that have been helped by the money raised over this weekend. wonder what his motive was in waiting until afterwards to air his opinion?

umpire 2, Salford M7 4HT (29/08/2008 at 19:50)

How come Manchester United fans have they say in this News Item.
This was about the pride, the business not about the parade for Manchester United.

The arguments for that parade was the police got a problem with it, take it up with them.

Now back to the Pride, does this mean there is a vote of no confidence coming in the Village Business Association.

RGS (30/08/2008 at 00:26)

The denigration of the early years as 'just a jumble sale' is all part of the propaganda by the current powers-that-be so they can keep control.

In the year 94/95 the VBA raised £60,000 for charity with a free Mardi Gras. In 2006 Pride sold 35,000+ tickets and raised £65,000 for charity. In 2007 it was £95,000 with income of £803,000, two thirds of it from tickets.

With the organisers openly saying in the MEN that Pride brings in £17.5m extra for the city's businesses each year, these charity amounts are not something to be proud of.

Just because only a relatively small number of people are brave enough to go out on the streets and protest, don't make the mistake of thinking that there isn't widespread disatisfaction with this event.

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