UK Black Pride is not an exclusive event or organisation, it is here to empower and support LGBT people who are not so visible: What’s wrong with that?

Thanks to Stonewall for your continued support.

In recognition of his life and courage, and the continued struggle of LGBTI individuals around the world, the David Kato Vision & Voice Award was established by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) – along with other partners including the Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF), Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), and ILGA-Europe. Accompanied by a one-time grant of US$10,000, this award will be presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions in advocating for the sexual rights of LGBTI individuals.

“David Kato was a hero not just to LGBT Ugandans, but to all Ugandans, and to all supporters of human rights worldwide.” said Frank Mugisha, David’s colleague and Executive Director of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), “The death of David will only be honoured when the struggle for justice and equality is won.”

This award is in part supporting David’s legacy-continuing to promote human rights, particularly for LGBTI people in environments where they face increased marginalization, violence, persecution and stigmatization. Nominations for the award can be submitted until 1 November 2011.

“This award will recognize the leadership of individuals who strive to uphold the sexual rights of LGBTI people in their communities. The realization of these rights is integral to a meaningful HIV response among these vulnerable groups.” said Kevin Osborne, Senior HIV Advisor of IPPF, “If someone’s life work has particularly inspired you, I strongly encourage you to submit a nomination.”

For further information and to submit a nomination, please visit the award website: www.visionandvoiceaward.com.

Check out this great feature courtesy if London 360 from The Community Channel on Sky #359

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150409355039115.445111.644399114

(You don’t need a Facebook account to view them)

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME TO THE 2011 UK BLACK PRIDE FESTIVAL IN TORRINGTON SQUARE AND MADE IT SUCH A WONDERFUL OCCASSION

We look forward to seeing you in 2012

Dear friends

I wholeheartedly welcome and congratulate you for organising this year’s UK Black Pride. This is a positive celebration of the BME LGBT communities, who play a valuable role in our diverse society.

Black Pride is an important festival as it brings together those who are challenging the lived experience of both racism and homophobia.  It is a measure of the freedom and diversity that is enjoyed by Londoners of all walks of life that this great city is hosting this event.    

If elected Mayor next May I will implement policies to make London the number-one LGBT city in the world offering a clear alternative to the weakening of equalities from the government and the current Mayor.

I will appoint an LGBT advisory board, hold an annual Pride reception and re-enter the Greater London Authority into Stonewall’s diversity index. In the coming months I will work with the LGBT community to work to develop policies that the LGBT community in this city want.  

I look forward to working with many of you in this endeavour. I wish it all the best for this, and many years to come.

Ken Livingstone

Equality sits firmly at the heart of this Government. While we celebrate the real progress has been made towards equality in recent years, we must not be complacent and we are working hard to achieve more. We must celebrate the diverse nature of Britain – our race, our sexual orientation, our gender and we must celebrate that we are all these things and many more.

In March 2011 the Government published Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality: Moving Forward where we outlined steps to tackle homophobic and transphobic bullying, to encourage the reporting of hate crimes and to see how legislation can develop on equal civil marriage and partnerships, to name just a few.

But we cannot do this alone. It is only through people like you, here today, that real change can happen.

So I encourage everyone to get involved.

This could be as simple as signing up to our Charter against homophobia and transphobia in sport on facebook, (www.facebook.com/lgbtsportcharter ).We have seen real progress over the last 20 years when it comes to tackling racism in sport and I firmly believe we should work to remove all forms of discrimination from all sport, including homophobia and transphobia.

I’m sorry I can’t be with you, but I hope that everyone has a great day of celebration at UK Black Pride 2011.

Lynne Featherstone MP
Minister for Equalities

It has been a tumultuous week since our last update …

We have witnessed the extraordinary lows of recent events in London and other parts of Britain, to the highs of announcing the courageous Frank Mugisha, from Sexual Minorities Uganda, as our UK Black Pride patron.

These experiences reinforce the importance of UK Black Pride, as a family-friendly event that brings together African, Asian, Caribbean and Middle Eastern LGBT people with our friends, in Europe’s only Black Pride event.

Ms Dynamite will headline the event, where she will be supported by an amazing line up of talented DJs in the dance tents, and performing acts on the main stage, who include an X Factor star and the African winner of Drag Idol 2011, Miss Son Of A Tutu.

There will also be licensed bars, delicious world food, chill out zone, education and welfare workshops, community stalls and more.

The full programme of activities for the day will be released shortly so if you haven’t already booked your tickets, do it now at: http://www.ticketline.co.uk/uk-black-pride-tickets.

With just 10 days to go until UK Black Pride Festival takes place on Saturday 20 August at Torrington Square in the heart of London we are working hard to finalise the plans for another safe and successful community-led event.

Listen to UK Black Pride on Out in South London radio show on Resonance FM 104.4, London’s premier LGBT radio show.

Listen here

Thanks to Rosie and Jen and good luck in Edinburgh!

UK Black Pride, the biggest celebration of African, Asian, Caribbean and Middle Eastern LGBT people in Europe, is proud to announce that Stonewall is the main event sponsor in 2011.

Stonewall has spent more than 20 years fighting for the rights of all lesbian, gay and bisexual people, from equalising the age of consent to repealing Section 28, from civil partnerships rights to enabling same-sex couples to adopt. Stonewall has a proud record of engaging and winning for full equality.

Ben Summerskill, Stonewall Chief Executive, said: “We’re delighted to continue to back UK Black Pride as a main sponsor, and we’re pleased to see that UK Black Pride has established itself as a key date in the Pride season calendar. This event proves the power of communities coming together to celebrate diversity and Stonewall encourages everyone to attend the festival with pride!

Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah, UK Black Pride Director, said: “I’m thrilled that Stonewall is continuing its long standing support for our community-led initiative. The technical and financial support that Stonewall has gifted us will help to ensure we put on a strong event that gives space to non-white LGBT people to showcase the best of who we are, as we see ourselves. UK Black Pride’s always been an inclusive event for LGBT people and friends. Everyone is welcome to join the celebration!”

Ms Dynamite is the headline act for the sixth UK Black Pride festival which takes place on Saturday 20 August at Torrington Square, London. The event’s theme is: ‘We are family!’ and it looks set to repeat the success of previous years where headline artists included Beverley Knight and Jessie J. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketline.co.uk/uk-black-pride-tickets with big discounts if you buy early. Visit the website now. Don’t miss out!

Alongside the main stage and dance tents, there will be licensed bars, world food, a VIP tent, Secret Garden, chill out zone and games area, as well as education and welfare workshops, community stalls, and much more.

As a community-led event, UK Black Pride is not-for-profit, and its dedicated team of volunteers have helped to deliver an award winning event that has won the coveted Pink Paper Readers’ Award 2011 for the ‘Best Black Minority Ethnic Organisation’. For more information about the entertainment line-up join UK Black Pride on Facebook, follow us @ukblackpride on Twitter, visit our website: www.ukblackpride.org.uk or email us at: info@ukblackpride.org.uk

Other sponsors of UK Black Pride include: PCS, UNISON, TUC, Proud, Prospect, GMB and RCN