London Pride, other LGBT events postponed by outbreak
As the world continues to shut down because of the coronavirus outbreak, the organizers of London Pride for this year has postponed their event.
Aside from London Pride, more than 120 LGBT events have now been cancelled, postponed, or is facing the decision because of the global spread of COVID-19– including The Dinah Shore Club Weekend.
Postponing the London Pride to protect the community
The London Pride– which was scheduled to take place on June 27– is UK’s biggest LGBT Pride festival. In 2019, organizers estimated the attendance at 1.5 million people.
In a statement, Alison Camps and Michael Salter-Church, co-chairs of Pride in London, called it a “tough decision” to postpone the event.
“With the climate changing daily, we need to think even further ahead and make timely decisions to protect the health and wellbeing of our communities, volunteers and participants,” they said.
They further said they were following the advice from Public Health England and the government. However, they also told BBC that they’re “hopeful” the event could still be held before the end of the year.
Presently, they’re discussing the possible new dates with the Greater London Authority, the Westminster City Council, the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London, and the London Fire Brigade.
London Pride and other LGBT events are affected
Aside from London Pride, large Pride events like Pride Edinburgh, LA Pride, and Tokyo Pride have been cancelled.
Kristine Garina, president of the European Pride Organisers Association (EPOA), said it is “heart breaking” as many from the LGBT community will miss out on celebrating Pride this year.
“Every Pride organiser in the world has a story of someone whose life was changed by coming to a Pride. We will work together, and do all we can, to help Pride organisers get through this,” Garina said.
EPOA and InterPride recently held their first COVID-19/ Pride International Coordination Group to discuss the current situation and the needs of the international LGBT Pride movement.
Mariah Hanson, executive producer for The Dinah, had announced their event has been moved to September 16-21.
Hanson said: “I’m committed to getting The Dinah through this and appreciate the growing number of you who plan to attend either the 2020 or 2021 Dinah to help us achieve that goal.”
Unfortunate effect of LGBT event cancellations
Jamie Wareham, writing for Forbes, said the impact of the postponement or cancellation of these events– especially the small Pride events– have yet to be unpicked.
“And it’s these small local groups made up of mostly volunteers, who support isolated LGBT+ communities who have little voice – that will be hardest hit,” Wareham said.
“For many, these Pride groups create a space which provides hope and belonging, in towns and countries where it remains so difficult to be LGBT,” he added.
In their statement, Camps and Salter-Church said: “We fully appreciate the pressures and effects that the current situation is having on all of our communities.”
“Allyship is needed more than ever, so we ask everyone to continue to be kind, loving and generous. Our priority now will be to look closely at how we can support and bring communities together over the coming months,” they said.