• IDAHO celebrated annually on 17 May
• UK Black Pride’s main event to be held in Golden Square, London, Saturday 29 June

UK Black Pride – Europe’s largest community-led, not-for-profit support group for African, Arab, Asian and Caribbean lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people – welcomes the thousands of events taking place in more than 100 countries, including those were equality and human rights are not protected.

On 17 May 1990 the World Health Organisation finally took homosexuality off the International Classification of Diseases. It led to an international movement to commemorate the date every year as International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Many LGBT and human rights groups now mark the day with special events and awareness raising campaigns.

UK Black Pride’s Exectuive Director, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, said: “The significance of IDAHO is not lost on those individuals and communities who UK Black Pride supports day in day out. The fact is that 1.5 billion people around the world continue to live in countries that criminalise same sex relations and love. Since it is widely accepted that people who have same sex attraction represent three per cent of the population, this equates to about 46 million people worldwide who are de facto outlawed and unable to live their lives as they wish,

“At UK Black Pride we believe that everyone should be free to love without borders, and no religious, cultural, clinical or legal reasoning can justify denying this fundamental human right.”

The eighth UK Black Pride festival takes place on Saturday 29 June in London’s Golden Square which is situated in the heart of Soho. From 12 noon till 8:30pm the free-entry but ticketed UK Black Pride event will boast a main stage packed full of live acts, supported by top DJs, a dance area, licensed bars, world food, community stalls, prizes and much more. UK Black Pride’s 2013 summer of love without border activities run from May to August.

UK Black Pride is proud to be a grassroots-led movement of race, faith and LGBT groups and trade union community allies. It shows that putting people and politics at the heart of marking pride in our LGBT community’s progress is the most effective way to pursue the fight for equality, inclusion and steadfast opposition to all forms of bigotry in every section of society.

Get involved:

There are many ways to get involved in making UK Black Pride 2013 a success:

• Get your FREE ticket for UK Black Pride 2013. Visit: www.ukblackpride.org.uk
• Become a sponsor of UK Black Pride. Email: pav@ukblackpride.org.uk
• Have a stall in the community area. Email: beverley@ukblackpride.org.uk
• Run a food and drink stall at the festival. Email: beverley@ukblackpride.org.uk
• Volunteer as a steward at the festival. Email: beverley@ukblackpride.org.uk

• UK Black Pride participate in Stonewall-’s BME LGB community event on Sat 11 May
• 30 activists from Black and minority, LGBT or mainstream community groups attend
• Outcomes from meeting help to build network and cooperation among BME groups
• UK Black Pride’s main event will be held in Golden Square, London, Sat 29 June

UK Black Pride – Europe’s largest community-led, not-for-profit support group for African, Arab, Asian and Caribbean lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people – joined by a large number of community based organisations including Gay Women’s Network, London Friend, and Gay Men’s Project to participate in a day of community based dialogue and debate among Black and minority ethnic LGB and T people, as well as organisations who support this community.

The roundtable event was hosted by Stonewall who campaign for LGB rights in Britain and abroad. UK Black Pride believes the inter-sectional barriers faced by Black LGBT people whether on terms of gender, disability or faith across the social spaces in our communities, our institutes of learning and our professional workplaces need to be debated and addressed.

UK Black Pride’s Director for Public Affairs, Pav Akhtar, said: “The diversity in Britain’s Black communities is immense. It is vital that we have safe spaces in which to openly and honestly discuss our experiences and the challenges we face. Stonewall has continued to listen and engage our community by facilitating these spaces which allows us to lead our own strategy on how to work together with other supporters for a fair and equal society.”

UK Black Pride’s Exectuive Director, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, said: “This has been a great event to listen very carefully to what our communities’ multiple needs are. We have already identified concrete campaigning activities that can build on including a visible drive for role models and Back LGBT identities in the media.”

Stonewall, which hosted a similar round table six months ago, also shared information about the organisation’s joint research with the Runnymede Trust which examined the experiences of Black and minority ethnic gay people accessing public services. Findings included the fact that many public service workers rarely consider the possibility of multiple identities and most have little or no training to encourage them to do so. Participants at the round table event described how widespread assumptions and the lack of understanding and training around ethnicity and sexual orientation often resulted in services offering inappropriate or poor-quality service provision. The round table helped to find solutions to these issues which ranged from health, asylum, education, employment and policing.

The eighth UK Black Pride festival takes place on Saturday 29 June in Golden Square which is situated in the heart of London’s Soho. From 12 noon until 8:30pm the free-entry but ticketed UK Black Pride event will boast a main stage packed full of live acts, supported by top DJs in a dance area, with licensed bars, world food, community stalls, prizes and much more. UK Black Pride’s 2013 summer of love activities run from May until August.

UK Black Pride is proud to be a grassroots-led movement of race, faith and LGBT groups and trade union community allies. It shows that putting people and politics at the heart of marking pride in our LGBT community’s progress is the most effective way to pursue the fight for equality, inclusion and steadfast opposition to all forms of bigotry in every section of society.

Get involved:

There are many ways to get involved in making UK Black Pride 2013 a success:

• Get your FREE ticket for UK Black Pride 2013. Visit: www.ukblackpride.org.uk
• Become a sponsor of UK Black Pride. Email: pav@ukblackpride.org.uk
• Have a stall in the community area. Email: beverley@ukblackpride.org.uk
• Run a food and drink stall at the festival. Email: beverley@ukblackpride.org.uk
• Volunteer as a steward at the festival. Email: beverley@ukblackpride.org.uk

• UK Black Pride will feature as an independent part of the London Pride festival
• Soho’s Golden Square is dedicated to UK Black Pride events on Saturday 29 June

UK Black Pride – Europe’s largest community-led, not-for-profit support group for African, Asian, Arab and Caribbean lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people – invites all interested groups to apply for stall space at its main event in London’s Soho on Saturday 29 June.

UK Black Pride’s Director for Administration, Dr. Beverly Duguid, said: “UK Black Pride is a key part of the Black and LGBT community’s calendar of events. Already this year we have had a really big demand for information stalls space and food stands from organisations within the Black, LGBT and wider community. We want to ensure that everyone has a chance to take part so don’t delay, act today!”

If you wish to register for a market stall  please visit the UK Black Pride website and download the booking form which must then be returned with the appropriate payment to: beverley@ukblackpride.org.uk

Remember stall space is limited so please book early to avoid disappointment!

The eighth annual UK Black Pride festival will take place on Saturday 29 June in Golden Square which is situated in the heart of London’s Soho. From 12 noon until 8:30pm the free-entry but ticketed UK Black Pride event – which is being run as an independent part of London Pride – will boast a main stage packed full of top live acts (previous headliners have included Jessie J, Ms Dynamite and Beverley Knight), supported by top DJs in a dance area, alongside licensed bars, world food, community stalls, prizes and much more. UK Black Pride’s 2013 summer of love series of activities will include exciting entertainment from May until August so visit the website for more details.

UK Black Pride is proud to be a grassroots-led movement of race, faith and LGBT groups and trade union community allies. It shows that putting people and politics at the heart of marking pride in our LGBT community’s progress is the most effective way to pursue the fight for equality, inclusion and steadfast opposition to all forms of bigotry in every section of 

• Registration now open to claim your FREE ticket for UK Black Pride 2013
• Tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis – register now!
• UK Black Pride is being held in Golden Square on 29 June as part of London Pride

UK Black Pride – the largest community-led, not-for-profit group for African, Asian, Arab and Caribbean heritage lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people – proudly announces the launch of its FREE ticket giveaway to this summer’s festival. All UK Black Pride supporters who register in advance will get a FREE ticket for the award-winning event which will take place on Saturday 29 June in central London. Places are limited so get your FREE ticket now!

UK Black Pride’s Executive Director, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, said: “UK Black Pride has always wanted to offer a free, accessible pride event for all LGBT people so we’re very proud that in 2013, when we return to celebrating with London Community Pride on 29 June, we can do so as a free event. The UK Black Pride festival is an integral part of the Black and LGBT community’s social calendar of events. For eight years we’ve had amazing support from our community so this year we’re rewarding everyone with a free event that showcases our usual world class entertainment. Register now for your free ticket  see the Register to attend UK Black Pride 2013 section on this website. 

The eighth annual UK Black Pride festival will take place on Saturday 29 June in Golden Square which is situated in the heart of London’s Soho. From 12 noon until 8:30pm the free-entry but ticketed UK Black Pride event – which is being run as an independent part of London Pride – will boast a main stage packed full of top live acts (previous headliners were Jessie J and Beverley Knight), supported by top DJs, alongside licensed bars, world food, community stalls, prizes and more. UK Black Pride’s 2013 summer of love series of activities will include exciting entertainment from May until August so visit the website for more details.

UK Black Pride is proud to be a grassroots-led movement of race, faith and LGBT groups and trade union community allies. It shows that putting people and politics at the heart of marking pride in our LGBT community’s progress is the most effective way to pursue the fight for equality, inclusion and steadfast opposition to all forms of bigotry in every section of society.

Get involved:

There are many ways to get involved in making UK Black Pride 2013 a success:

• Get your FREE ticket for UK Black Pride 2013. Visit: www.ukblackpride.org.uk
• Become a sponsor of UK Black Pride. Email: pav@ukblackpride.org.uk
• Have a stall in the community area. Email: beverley@ukblackpride.org.uk
• Run a food and drink stall at the festival. Email: beverley@ukblackpride.org.uk
• Volunteer as a steward at the festival. Email: beverley@ukblackpride.org.uk

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE!

UK Black Pride has always wanted to offer a free, accessible pride event for all LGBT people so we’re very proud that in 2013, when we return to celebrating with London Community Pride on 29 June, we can do so as a free event. The UK Black Pride festival is an integral part of the Black and LGBT community’s social calendar of events. For eight years we’ve had amazing support from our community so this year we’re rewarding everyone with a free event that showcases our usual world class entertainment

• UK Black Pride to make case for full UK involvement in European fundamental rights
• UK Black Pride’s main event will be in Golden Square, London, 29 June 2013
  

UK Black Pride – Europe’s largest community-led, not-for-profit support group for African, Arab, Asian and Caribbean lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people – has been invited to participate in an evening of dialogue and debate at Europe House in central London.

UK Black Pride believes that LGBT people must be given full rights as equal citizens. Rights such as Article 21 of Europe’s Charter of Fundamental Rights: ‘Any discrimination based on any ground such as (…) sexual orientation shall be prohibited’ are worth arguing and winning.

UK Black Pride’s Director for Public Affairs, Pav Akhtar, said: “The UK government is increasingly promoting an EU based on a single market, while continuing to stay out of the EU charter of fundamental rights and European Convention on human rights, as well as trying to negotiate out of the EU’s social legislation. If we want a fair, equal and social Europe, then we must lobby for legal protection, judicial enforcement and active campaigns to change social.”

“Of course, even in countries where the Charter of Fundamental Rights exists, citizens are discriminated against for their sexual orientation (and gender identity) and in no EU country do LGBT people enjoy full equality with heterosexual citizens. Though some member states are close to full equality, others systematically deprive LGBT people of their basic rights. UK Black Pride argues the EU could do more for people in such circumstances, starting by implementing existing regulations of freedom of movement and non-discrimination which allow same sex couples in one European country to be recognised in every other member state.”

How we achieve an EU that better protects and promotes fundamental rights, an EU that is more democratic and based on bottom-up participation, an EU that gives more progressive rights to workers, families and citizens in a context of social and economic crisis? These are questions UK Black Pride will debate at the citizens’ consultation organised as part of the European Year of Citizens. To attend the consultation – 17:30-20:30 on 8 May at Europe House, 32 Smith Square, London – please register by email: e.dalibot@euroalter.com

The eighth annual UK Black Pride festival will take place on Saturday 29 June in Golden Square which is situated in the heart of London’s Soho. From 12 noon until 8:30pm the free-entry but ticketed UK Black Pride event will boast a main stage packed full of top live acts, supported by top DJs in a dance area, with licensed bars, world food, community stalls, prizes and much more. UK Black Pride’s 2013 summer of love activities run from May until August so visit the website for more details.

UK Black Pride is proud to be a grassroots-led movement of race, faith and LGBT groups and trade union community allies. It shows that putting people and politics at the heart of marking pride in our LGBT community’s progress is the most effective way to pursue the fight for equality, inclusion and steadfast opposition to all forms of bigotry in every section of society.

Executive Director of UK Black Pride is to address a star-studded launch event just a stone’s throw away from the White House on Capital Hill, Washington, DC, in the US.

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, founder and Executive Director of UK Black Pride, will be a guest speaker at the opening reception and community awards presentation of the Washington DC Black Pride which will be launched at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in the presence of Washington DC Mayor, Vincent Gray.

Washington DC Black Pride is one of the biggest pride events in the USA with activities spanning three-days from 24-26 May.

Just like UK Black Pride, it is a member of the Centre for Black Equity – formerly known as the International Federation of Black Prides – which is a coalition of Black LGBT Pride organisers in Canada, South Africa, the UK and USA which have formed a global alliance with more than 40 Black Pride events with total close to 500,000 attendees each year. The CBE is the only international Black LGBT organisation of its kind in the world and also boasts members from Barbados, Brazil, Ghana, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Suriname, Trinidad, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Commenting on her visit to the USA, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah said: “It is a great honour for UK Black Pride to be invited to address one of the biggest Black Pride events in the world. We have much to share and learn from each other in our increasingly global community of shared experiences. I will certainly be taking our message of solidarity from the UK’s capital to the US capital and inviting those friends to come experience our hospitality during UK Black Pride which will be an integral part of this year’s London Pride event on 29 June.”

The eighth annual UK Black Pride festival will take place on Saturday 29 June in Golden Square which is situated in the heart of London’s Soho. From 12 noon until 8:30pm the free-entry but ticketed UK Black Pride event – which is being run as an independent part of London Pride – will boast a main stage packed full of top live acts (previous headliners have included Jessie J, Ms Dynamite and Beverley Knight), supported by top DJs in a dance area, alongside licensed bars, world food, community stalls, prizes and much more.

UK Black Pride’s 2013 summer of love series of activities will include exciting entertainment from May until August so visit the website for more details. UK Black Pride is proud to be a grassroots-led movement of race, faith and LGBT groups and trade union community allies. It shows that putting people and politics at the heart of marking pride in our LGBT community’s progress is the most effective way to pursue the fight for equality, inclusion and steadfast opposition to all forms of bigotry in every section of society.

Phyll  Opoku-Gyimah, Executive Director of UK Black Pride – Europe’s largest community-led, not-for-profit support group for African, Asian and Caribbean lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people – narrowly missed out on the top gong in the Diversity Champion of the Year category at the prestigious g3 and Out in the City awards at London’s Landmark Hotel on Friday 26 April.

Phyll was shortlisted among an extremely strong category that featured five outstanding women, including the Football Association’s England women’s coach, Hope Powell, the international human rights lawyer, Anne-Marie Hutchinson, and the eventual winner, the London 2012 Para-Olympian, Claire Harvey, who captained Team GB in women’s volleyball.

Over the last eight years, UK Black Pride has built a successful identity as a grassroots-led movement of race, faith and LGBT groups and trade union community allies. It has put people and politics at the heart of celebrating pride in our LGBT community’s progress as the most effective way to fight for equality, inclusion and steadfast opposition to all forms of bigotry.

Speaking after the awards, which were hosted by Coronation Street’s Charlie Condou and the actress Sophie Ward, UK Black Pride’s Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, said: “It’s such an honour to have even nominated among these inspiring women who do so much to promote positive role models for out lesbian, bisexual and trans women in the workplace and society.

“This g3 and Out readers’ award nomination is an amazing tribute to the hard work of UK Black Pride’s volunteers who work every day in the heart of the LGBT community. We will continue reaching out to whole new sections of the community using our brand of entertainment and education. Watch of for our for our free-entry but ticketed love without borders event in Golden Square at this year’s London Pride on 29 June, and our wider summer of love activities.”

Andi Keeling from the award sponsors, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “RBS is delighted to sponsor these awards because we understand the importance of inclusion and value difference. We recognise how diversity benefits our employees, customers and communities. Through our sponsorship, we’re trying to create change for the future. It’s not just about celebrating winners now, but about creating a cultural shift for the future and a legacy for the next generation.”

Notes for editors:

1. The full shortlist and winners can be found at: www.outg3awards.co.uk

2. For UK Black Pride media enquiries please email: bisi@ukblackpride.org.uk

3. For information on UK Black Pride and the events it will run throughout the summer visit: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKBlackPride.org.uk

UK Black Pride to fundraise for Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust

UK Black Pride – Europe’s largest community-led, not-for-profit support group for African, Asian and Caribbean lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people – is encouraging the entire community to get behind the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust.

Stephen Lawrence was an 18-year-old Black student who was brutally murdered by racists in 1993. His vicious murder took place in Eltham, South East London, near the headquarters of the racist British National Party.

On 22 April 2013, the twentieth anniversary of Stephen’s murder, UK Black Pride was honoured to join leading figures within the Black and wider anti-racist community to remember Stephen – a much loved son, friend and aspiring architect – as well as reflecting on the long struggle for justice against institutional racism by his parents, Doreen and Neville Lawrence. To learn more about the Lawrence family’s struggle for justice, please read The Guardian’s latest interview with Doreen Lawrence alongside their selection of articles and features: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/lawrence

UK Black Pride is encouraging all friends and supporters to make a donation – no matter what amount – to the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust by texting: ‘SLCT18’ followed by either £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10 to the number: 70070. UK Black Pride is also proud to have selected the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust as one of the community organisations to benefit from its fundraising when UK Black Pride holds it’s free-entry but ticketed main event, as part of London Pride, in Golden Square on Saturday 29 June 2013.

UK Black Pride is one of Europe’s most successful grassroots-led movements of race, faith and LGBT groups and trade union community allies. It has shown that putting people and politics at the heart of celebrating pride in our LGBT community’s progress is the most effective way to pursue the fight for equality, inclusion and steadfast opposition to all bigotry.

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, UK Black Pride’s founder and Executive Director, said: “The issue of racism continues to blight the lives of Black and LGBT people daily. This government must change its course from trying to erode key sections of the Equality Act, including the general equality duty which ensures all people have an equal opportunity to exist free from discrimination. Heroic figures for equality, like Doreen Lawrence and the trade unions, understand these issues all too well and that is why UK Black Pride continues to demand strong legislation against all racism.”

• UK Black Pride to feature at Pride in London 2013

• Golden Square dedicated to UK Black Pride events on 29 June

UK Black Pride – Europe’s largest community-led, not-for-profit support group for African, Asian and Caribbean lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people – and London LGBT+ Community Pride are pleased to announce they are joining forces for Pride in London on Saturday 29 June 2013.

Just as in previous years, when UK Black Pride has brought great entertainment to renowned venues like the Ministry of Sound and Regent’s Park, this year’s free-entry but ticketed UK Black Pride main event will bring its winning formula to London’s Soho district, as an integral part of the Pride in London celebrations. Detailed plans will follow.

The partnership sees London LGBT+ Community Pride give practical support to UK Black Pride for Pride in London 2013. It also marks a ‘coming home’ for award-winning UK Black Pride which has not participated in recent London Pride activities because of concerns about the structural exclusion of the capital’s diverse LGBT communities.

During its time away, UK Black Pride has successfully built its own distinctive identity as a grassroots-led movement of race, faith and LGBT groups and trade union community allies. It has shown that putting people and politics at the heart of celebrating pride in our LGBT community’s progress is the most effective way to pursue the fight for equality, inclusion and steadfast opposition to all forms of bigotry in every section of society.

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, UK Black Pride’s founder and Executive Director, said: “We’re excited to bring UK Black Pride home to the heart of the LGBT community as part of Pride in London. We’re determined to reach new sections of the community, without losing our identity as a national group that works for the capital’s Black LGBT people. We’ll bring our own brand of entertainment and education to promote love without borders and ensure this year’s London Pride is one the entire community can feel part of. UK Black Pride’s summer of love line up will include exciting activities and entertainment so make sure you come out to support the community’s Pride in London in 2013.”

Michael Salter, Chair of London LGBT+ Community Pride, said: “As the new organisers of Pride in London we are delighted that UK Black Pride will be part of Pride inLondon in 2013. There could be no better demonstration of our commitment to ensuring that Pride in this great, diverse city is inclusive and welcoming of the entire LGBT+ community.”

Notes for editors:

1. For UK Black Pride media enquiries please email: bisi@ukblackpride.org.uk 

2. For more information on UK Black Pride and the series of events it will be running throughout the summer visit: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKBlackPride.org.uk

3. For London LGBT+ Community Pride media enquiries please call Stephen Ward: 07870 986424

4. For information about Pride in Londonbeing organised by London LGBT+ Community Pride visit: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LondonLGBTCommunityPride

Twitter: @LondonLGBTPride  Website: www.londoncommunitypride.org

5. London LGBT+ Community Pride has a number of key ambitions for London Pride:

• Build a longer term and more diverse festival culminating in a weekend of celebration
• Build a festival encompassing arts, politics, entertainment and sport that showcases both the talent and contribution of the LGBT+ community and the positive impact it has on the Capital
• Build events that can be self-sustaining and make a contribution to the LGBT+ community by providing a platform and resources
• In future years the ambition is to move the event out of the congested streets of Soho and to some of London’s parks

Pride will encompass people of every race and faith whether disabled or able-bodied, and all sexualities and genders including gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, queer, questioning, intersex, trans*, genderqueer or non-binary – as well of course as our straight and cis allies.

The Board of Directors receive no remuneration for their involvement in London LGBT+ Community Pride CIC. The organisation is politically neutral and does not campaign in its own right for or against any specific body. If a surplus is made London LGBT+ Community Pride is legally bound to use it only in one of two ways: to help fund future Pride events in London or given as grants to organisations that work in/for the LGBT+ community.