Lack of funds for Leicester Pride
By Navaniita Dhar | 16.06.2006
Leicester Pride festival has to cut down its main programme line up due to funding problems, according to organisers.
The Leicester Pride which celebrates the rights and freedom of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender, is forced to exclude the Caribbean Carnival and the Belgrave Asian Mella due to insufficient financial support.
Volunteer Coordinator of the festival, Ms Corin Desborough said that it is becoming difficult to organise the festival due to fund problems.
“We want to make it a great festival but we don’t have enough money to pay the performers. We did try to engage the local businesses as sponsors but none have come forward to help put together the festival”, she said.
At present the festival is funded by the gay businesses in the city and the Leicester city council. Some fund raising events leading up to the festival also contribute towards the finances.
This year the festival organisers are also trying to do something new by teaming up with Farside music to bring together local musician and performers for the audiences. The festival is also aiming to become more of a community event and is open for everyone who wants to come and be a part of it.
Around 10,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Leicester Pride on June 23.
Related Links:
Pride website
http://www.leicesterpride.co.uk
-Leicester city council http://www.leicester.gov.uk/
–Stonewall website
www.stonewall.org.uk
