I’ve decided to boycott Manchester Pride.
This is a weird thing for me, I feel like attendance at the big Prides, supporting the local clubs, is one of the biggest outward facing roles of MLUK, but I feel like we could achieve more this year by not going.
A THREAD
Manchester Pride has for decades been problematic. High ticket prices and systematic financial exclusion of young people, those from low income backgrounds and ethnic minorities. Violent security to isolate the village under the guise of 'protection'.
Closed down and opaque decision making in the face of clear community resistance. Illegal curtailment of freedom of movement and use of the streets.
10 years ago Pride was denounced by the Chair of the Village Business association as about ‘nothing more than money’. It appears in the last decade, nothing has changed. The arguments that the Manchester 'Pride is a Protest' movement made then, are as valid today.
In the wake of legal action in the past, the committee was forced to allow free access to the Village but has done everything in it's power to keep ordinary people from realising they don't need a wristband to enter Canal Street.
I see that now that many of the bars now promise to refuse entry to those without wristbands too – reinforcing the normality of having to pay £20 just to walk down a street and go into a pub. Tickets to see a lineup of bands on a tiny stage soared to £70.
This is not a Pride event. This is a front, that acts against the best interests of the community I love. I will not give money to the organisers or the bars who have lined up to support this abuse of power. Pride is a protest not a marketing opportunity, not a money grab.
Pride must be from the community and focussed on punching upward. It cannot be allowed to be overrun by powerful interests obsessed with draining the community of its cash and attention.
I love @ManLeathermen and salute all the amazing work they do for the LGBT+ people of Manchester. I'm sorry I can't stand with you in the parade, but somewhere one must make a stand.
Either I have this sashy platform and do something bold with it, or step aside.
I look forward to spending all the time with you during Manchester Leather Weekend in October. Where we can all punch upward, together. X
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