Salford ’s Pink Picnic Pride celebration is set to return this Saturday - but it very easily could’ve been unable to.
Like many other grassroots community Pride events, the Pink Picnic has always been dependent on donations and goodwill from the people around them to make it happen.
And following a particularly challenging period during the pandemic, the organisers ran a fundraiser to ensure one of the most fundamental tenets of their event - that it stays free and accessible to all - could continue.
Thanks to the kindness and generosity of the community, the Pink Picnic looks to be better than ever this year, with performances from the likes of RuPaul’s Drag Race star Kitty Scott-Claus, as well as Jsky and The Cheeky Girls.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News , head of Salford Pride Ricki Hewitt said the event is so important because Pride is “more than just a celebration of LGBT+ identities and culture”.
“As an event that has its roots in its community, our event and the organisation has always kept community at the centre of what we do,” he said.
“As we mark 50 years of pride events in the United Kingdom, it is important to remember that Pride started as a protest. Pride is more than just a celebration of LGBT+ identities and culture. Pride means visibility for a community that faces erasure and discrimination far too often. Pride means solidarity and celebrating living your authentic self and being party of a community of diverse identities.
It is for this reason that it is so important to Ricki and his team that the event stays free of charge.
“Pride means feeling valid and recognised,” he said. “I believe that equality and inclusion are fundamental rights, not commodities we should have to pay for.”
Ricki said he is delighted with the support this year’s event, which is based around the message ‘Proud Vibes Only’, has received from Salford residents and the wider community. But he wants to remind people that LGBT+ issues are important to recognise all year round - not just during Pride month.
“Over June we see a great deal of solidarity and support for the LGBT+ community and pride organisations, but LGBT+ people and the support we need from our community doesn’t disappear in June,” he told the M.E.N.
“Salford Pride runs events and projects throughout the year to celebrate LGBT+ people and identities and promote equality and inclusion throughout Greater Manchester. We need to recognise the unique needs of LGBT+ people in healthcare, in facing hate crime and discrimination and in representation and visibility all year round.”
He highlighted current challenges the LGBT+ community face, including the recent government proposals to exclude transgender conversion therapy from a ban on the practice - something Ricki called “harmful and dangerous”.
“We need to continue to fight for the message that you cannot cure love and send proud vibes only to all the LGBT+ community live their lives feely and truthfully, without fear of discrimination and harassment.”
June is Pride Month - when we typically see an outpouring of support from corporate brands, companies, and celebrities for the LGBT+ community. But the issues LGBT+ people face are not confined to one month. Ricki spoke about how supporters can continue to be active outside of June.
“Show your support and solidarity to pride events like ours by recognising we don’t disappear after June and continue to work hard throughout the year in the fight for equality,” he said.
“Turn up, learn about LGBT+ identities and speak out against discrimination and violence, wherever and whenever you see it.
“Sometimes LGBT+ people don’t feel safe or comfortable to come out and being an ally has never been more important and donate, if you can and help further our work and help ensure that Salford Pride continues in its mission and The Pink Picnic remains a free and accessible event for everyone.”
If you’re interested in getting involved with Salford Pride and The Pink Picnic, Ricki said volunteering with the event is a great way to start.
“Activism and doing good starts in our local communities. We are a grassroots community and we achieve so much more when we start on our doorstep. Connecting with others around us, to influence our community. Small steps lead to big change.”
Salford’s Pink Picnic takes place Saturday 25 June in Peel Park between 1pm-8pm. Tickets are free and can be bought online.
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