Event: Pride London Debate led by Gay Star News and hosted at Heaven, London.
This is Planet London's feedback of what was discussed at this event.
Ok, so firstly apologies as this will be very long. Mainly because I'm not sure that the debate was minuted and I want to ensure that everything is noted for those who couldn't be there or didn't hear about it in time. I will however, start with an overview, some useful information, the full debate and then my reaction, so if you don't feel like reading the full thing you don't have to.
I actively encourage you to comment on this article, in a constructive way, and to contact Pride London if you wish to volunteer to propose a change for their AGM in September.
As there is a lot here, I've done some quick jump links so you can skip to the bit that interests you if you don't want to read it all (however I encourage you to as it is very informative and interesting).
Quick jump to:
- Who was there
- Overview
- What you can actually do to make a change to Pride London
- What is an AGM and how does it work
- The full details of the two hour Pride London debate(!)
- Some ideas for AGM proposals (designed as food for thought)
Who was there
Hosted by G-A-Y Bar, Chaired by Tris Reid-Smith of Gay Star News.
Joined by Tony Hughes (Interim Chair of Pride London), Andrew Woodfield (PriceWaterhouseCoopers), Debbie Gold (GALOP), Kerry Chapman (Westminster Gay Business Forum), Anton Johnson (TUC) and Andrew Boff (London Assembly Member)
In addition there were a wide range of people from a diverse range of the LGBTQI(etc) community who were encouraged to get up and have their say.
Overview
One of the first things I found out was that this is the second meeting of its type discussing Pride London. TUC hosted a similar meeting/debate for community groups on 16 July (and there will be a follow up meeting on 5 September, again hosted by the TUC). It seems lots of people have a lot to say, however it is worth noting that no action can be taken over the current structure in these debates as there is no remit or powers within these meetings given Pride London is a formal entity. I'll go onto that more shortly.
The discussion was very interesting and quite varied with many well-considered points. Overall there is a lot of agreement on a few key areas; 1) Pride march should be a free event, 2) Pride should be inclusive and representative, 3) Pride should be campaigning and celebratory, 4) Pride should be led and organised by the LGBT community.
There was lots of talking, but towards the end very few people willing to actually stand up to volunteer. There is a lot of anger at the current Board, but Tony has confirmed that all of the current Trustees will stand down at the AGM and allow for a new group to take over in whatever structure/mandate is decided. This is where the confusion starts. No-one seems to fully understand how to take this forward. Additionally everyone seems stuck on the past, not sure how to get passed whether there is any money left to re-distribute to those who lost out through the changes to the parade on the day.
Sadly also, it came across that there is the hidden politics, the hidden agendas, the confusion and the hurt and upset which makes it very hard to move forward. This debate was a great forum to vent frustrations but it is difficult to see how it is helping the community to move forward when it didn't clearly explain how people can take the next step to actually changing things for Pride London.
What you can actually do
If you're more of a do-er than a talker and actually want to do something it is actually quite simple!
- Put forward proposals for the Pride London AGM to chair@pridelondon.org
- Nominate yourself for a Board Trustee or even a volunteer position with Pride London and get someone to second you - simply email your name and skills to chair@pridelondon.org
- Attend the AGM (date to be confirmed - late September)
- Be part the change!
In advance of the AGM people can put forward proposals about anything from the structure of the Pride committee, the events themselves and even the processes. I've listed a few suggestions and ideas at the bottom to get your creative juices flowing. Someone should second the proposal and then it formerly goes on the agenda. The first part of the AGM discusses these items and people vote as to if they are agreed. If there is a majority they are generally passed. The second part of the AGM is where people are put in place. Again, you should ideally put your name forward in advance and this should be provided to attendees in advance of the meeting. Going into the meeting with no agenda, no proposed structure and no list of volunteers will most likely result in no progression or decisions.
The full debate
Tris Reid-Smith introduced the panel and the structure of the debate. The first part was to look at the past, to learn some lessons and the second part was to look to the vision for Pride London going forward and to hopefully get some people volunteering to step forward for the new Board of Trustees. Each panel member said a bit about Pride London to start off the debate.
Tony Hughes
In 2004 Pride took £0.5million in through various streams to run Pride London, in 2012 they had just £200k. The Board of Trustees also had some difficulty in filling gaps as people left.
Andrew Woodfield, PwC
PwC joined the Pride London parade as a way to show their values. Andrew indicated that with bad press and problems speedly quick responses are essential and the lack of these were the downfall of WorldPride.
Debbie Gold, GALOP
Pride for Debbie is about feeling in the majority for one day, about visibility and being proud. Coming together and celebrating and to show a shared purpose. It is political and definitely still needed. With gay marriage being hotly debated, LGBT people being attacked and killed, suicides and school bullying, Pride is still as important today. In recent years it is felt that people would rather watch the parade than take part in it.
Kerry Chapman, Westminster Gay Business Forum
There needs to be a fundamental change. The forum had monthly meetings to prevent the crowding and crushing of previous Pride events in Soho. Pride London were invited along but only occasionally attended. A vote of no confidence in Pride London was eventually taken. Kerry wants involvement on the Board of Trustees from the forum since they are impacted significantly by the day's events, he also wants open financial dealings. The forum held regular meetings with GLA and Westminster Council throughout the year up to WorldPride.
Andrew Boff, London Assembly Member, GLA
Andrew explained that the GLA is a scrutiny body which holds the mayor to account. It has no formal remit however it has the right to ask questions. Andrew clarified that there was not enough time to save Pride to the original plan when the new funders came forward. Licenses take a set amount of time and cannot be shortened. He also said Pride is to London as teh Ravens are to the Tower of London and it is important it takes place. The Mayor has committed £100k to Pride London and also gifted Trafalgar Square (c£25k to hire normally). Thinks that WorldPride reminded people what Pride is about by going back to basics but does not believe that Pride should be run by the Mayor.
Anton Johnson, TUC
Anton noted that Pride is run by volunteers and that this should be appreciated and noted. Anton reported that the TUC hosted a meeting to discuss Pride London.
The debate was opened up to the floor (apologies if names aren't quite right!):
Diana, formerly a Trans leader
Was involved in Pride London but who was "no longer needed". Diana noted she would like a strategy to be developed around consulting the community on what it wanted from Pride London.
Wendal, Outrage
The community is fracturing, looking back. Need to work together. An independent body should be put together to investigate Pride London and to give transparency for moving forward.
Tony Hughes, Interim Chair of Pride London
Tony reiterated that he is only an interim Chair and not standing. Only in place until a new structure is agreed upon and Board in place. He agreed it should be open and inclusive.
Terry Stewart, Hackney Community Engagement Board
Wants a legacy.
Clive
Pride London is currently locked in, a certain group of people. Wants to move away from hedonism, away from cludding culture, back to simplistic roots.
Alan
Pride is always Pride, sometimes angry pride, sometimes in your face pride, but always Pride. You can always go to a club or a pub but you can't always walk down the street feeling pride. Important to keep the march as the centre. Stewards did a really good job and nice to have tape rather than barriers. March should be the primary concern with everything else as a satellite around it. Focus on belonging.
James
Previous director of Pride London. Currently working with Out 4 Marriage. Was told by Pride London that gay marriage was too political a subject to cover at pride and didn't want to be involved. Asked Andrew Boff what the funding formula is for the Mayor's office as Nottinghill has a similar footfall and has more money. James also noted that he helped New Family Social book St Anne's Garden. They booked the site last year after Pride. Tesco gave £30k to Pride London thinking that they were buying the family area in St Anne's Garden but a) it was paid for by New Family Social and b) it didn't cost £30k. James asked Tony where Tesco's money went. James also noted that Toronto has a budget of $5m - a lot from their tourist budget.
Andrew Boff, GLA
Andrew noted it is difficult to argue for more money during the current economic climate.
Tim
Every crisis is an opportunity to re-build. Audit causes no benefit. Restructure - with paid staff and an office.
A show of hands was taken over whether an audit should take place. It was about 70:30 Y:N.
Patrick, London Aids Memorial Campaign
Embarrassed by WorldPride. Upset that key parts of the community were left out by the format and the change in time amongst other things. Noted need to start now, it takes a year to organise Pride. Pride needs to be inclusive, it hasn't been recently. Current organisation website aims has no mention of the parade.
Nick Maxwell, Open Doors London
Nick noted that last night David Cameron mentioned in his speech about the political journey over the last 40 years. Pride needs to have a space to say thank you for trailblazers. A celebration of who we are today as well.
Adrian Trett, LGBT Chair Liberal Democrats
Adrian noted there is both a political and commercial aspect to Pride alongside volunteers, but there must be an full-time organised role, possibility accountable to the GLA who could oversee the organisation, funding and management because for such a large event there needs to be a robust structure in place, with accountability and transparency to the LGBT community.
Ian Dodds, Inclusion & Diversity Consulting
Pride London has lost focus. Gay bullying in schools, suicides, only 1 in 3 are out at work when evidence shows that you're more happy and productive if out. There is a terrific political message to be put forward.
Representative from London Friend (didn't give her name)
Important to report the details of the TUC meeting on 19 July. Meeting proposed 4 things that all agreed on:
1) Pride should be a free event
2) Pride should be inclusive and representative
3) Pride should be celebratory and campaigning
4) Pride should be led and organised by the LGBT communities.
WorldPride was positive because the community came together despite the problems raised.
It was raised whether there were conditions to the GLA funding. It was noted that there are stipulations around inclusivity and equal opportunities. Also the funding is provided in tranches with some held back dependent on certain things being met so it isn't as straight forward as having £100k.
Kevin, disabled student
Would like to see Pride London adopt Manchester Pride's way of running. Re-invest in the community. Give access to disabled people. At present Kevin feels he has to give up his disability or his sexuality.
Paris, Meta Mag
Paris reported that sadly there was transphobia within the community at the Pride parades which needs to be overcome. Newly transitioning people getting comments such as 'your not a lesbian' and that their make up is badly applied. Trans agenda important.
David (deaf)
Pride has changed a lot, however it is still predominantly white. Where are all the black people, the asian people, the blind people, etc. Strategy for and by the community.
Tony was asked by Paris what the current make up of the Board of Trustees was. It was confirmed that the 6 Board members consisted of: 1 black man, 2 disabled men, 1 trans man, 1 female and 1 white man
Robert
Minorities are judged at Pride. The social is just as important as Pride for those who are not out and cannot march in the parade to be able to socialise with other LGBT people in a safe space.
Tony
It is important that the Board is made up of professionals with the right skills.
James Asser, LGBT Labour
You have to understand the problem or you can't fix it.
The TUC hosted Pride meeting was mentioned again. TUC were encouraging every LGBT community group and organisation to send one representative along to the meeting. It is chaired by the LGBT consortium. It is essential to RSVP to Peter Purton at TUC (ppurton@tuc.org.uk) so numbers are known to book an adequate sized room.
The involvement of the Charity Commission was discussed, it was clear the full implications of dissolving the charity were not understood. This would take a great deal of time.
A 5 minute break was convened.
After the break Andrew Boff noted that any future funders would want confidence in the new group in whatever format it ran.
Anton reported in more detail on the TUC meeting of 16 July noting that 90 people attended, predominantly from the community. Tony Hughes noted that the Pride London AGM had been put back from its normal August date to take place after the next TUC meeting on 5 September to allow further input and debate from the community.
Debbie noted that the new structure must be trusted by the community to make decisions. It must be open and participative and it would need support. If Pride was provided to us by the GLA or another body there would be no point. She also noted that momentum was important and that this should continue.
Laura Fox, Chair for Richmond LGBT Forum
Laura asked Andrew Boff why since Boris became Mayor the 4 LGBT meetings a year had become 2, then been cancelled and there had actually only been 1 for trans. This was noted as off topic for this meeting.
Tony
Noted this is a time for the re-birth of the organisation
Dave Cross, Boyz
Celebrities performing are important as role models.
Tris Reid-Smith tried to wrap the debate up by asking those who wish to actually volunteer and offer their services to step forward.
Representative of Love Box Sunday
He noted that he was called in 2010 to meet Richard Bards and the GLA to work with Pride. Put together all of the paperwork. Offered to offer full assistance of the Lovebox team. Nothing happened and eventually had to pull away. Would like to offer again to provide a Love Box style event for Pride London.
Wendal
Volunteered to get stuck in and put on a march however she could.
James
Volunteered to use his leadership and management skills to help create a framework and a structure for the new body.
Helen
Volunteered in a capacity. Representing the young! Always volunteered for Pride London but not fully utilised.
Tim
Volunteered.
Andrew
Offered advice and support. Supported EuroPride and Manchester Pride before moved back to London.
Paris
Offered to help. Not a trustee but wants to help with the trans agenda.
Stephen
Didn't volunteer but noted that marches take place every day in London. It is our right. They don't cost anything to take place.
Mohammed
Didn't volunteer but noted that the new Board should listen. They always ask communities and groups but they never listen.
Some ideas for AGM proposals (feel free to raise/second any of them!)
These are some of my thoughts and proposals, please feel free to use them as thinking blocks and ideas as to ways in which the new Pride London might run:
1. The current Trustees all step down at the AGM in September or there is a vote of no confidence.
2. A list of skills required for the Board of Trustees should be decided upon and published on the Pride website for people to review and help decide if they wish to stand. This should also list expectations/requirements of Board Trustees. The Board must be fit for purpose.
3. A potential volunteer list is circulated at the AGM and posted online on the website for volunteers to sign up who don't wish to be a Trustee on the Board. Name, email and skills should ideally be collected to make this a useful list.
4. A paid administrator could be put in place to administrate Pride London. All meetings for the next 12 months should be scheduled within 1 month of the AGM to ensure that they actually take place. All meetings should be minuted. An action list and summary of the meeting should be published for the community to review.
5. Raise a change of constitution for the AGM, which would include formalities such as quorum of the Trustees, minimum number of meetings, aims, objectives, visions and missions should be proposed in advance. The new Board of Trustees would then have a fixed time in which to implement these.
6. Quarterly meetings with the LGBT community with 1-2 Board Trustee members should be scheduled and take place around London to ensure accessibility. This will enable the Board ofTrustees to understand the LGBT community's wishes and to communicate with them what is happening.
7. The timetable of key dates (date of parade, publication dates for media, date grant application due, date licenses to be applied for by) should all be listed from the outset and referred to in each meeting.
8. Key positions should be, where possible, encouraged to hold a term of at least 2 years or for a maximum number of Trustees to be able to step down in a year to ensure consistency and retention of information and lessons learnt.
9. The Pride London Board of Trustees be responsible for organising the Pride march. That if anyone wants to arrange a 'bolt-on' event (what might have traditionally have been called the 'Pride Festival') such as a picnic, a Love Box-type festival, a club night, etc that they submit their event to the Pride London Board of Trustees who if they agree that it is diverse, inclusive and relevant to Pride that they will endorse it so that the event can use the Pride London logo and it will be formally advertised by Pride London in all literature, marketing and on the website. This keeps the commercial side separate and clear. It means that Pride London can concentrate on their free event, being the march, and if someone wants to run a paid-entry festival in Hyde Park, Clissold Park, Regent's Park etc that they can, and if someone wants to run a family picnic they can, and all of the event organisers can decide to run their events, or club together for a super-club night - but ultimately they are responsible for funding and running the event.
Other things to note
Could each bar/club/event organiser run one fundraiser each (spaced out over 12 months) where a percentage of the door ticket or bar is pledged to Pride, or something along these lines? There are lots of bars, clubs and events and this will help raise necessary funds.
Don't let diversity water down the Board of Trustees. The current Board could be called diverse but it wasn't necessarily perceived as fit for purpose. It is far better to have adequate skills and to allocate a diversity director who can chair a diversity sub-committee with which they can engage with the community as a whole.
Key skills required
- Marketing and PR - website; social media; print; design
- Strategy and Leadership
- Fundraising
- Accounts and financial knowhow
- Administration and organisation
- Compliance
- Communication - liaising with groups, people
What are your thoughts?
Excellent notes, thanks - Steve
ReplyDeletePRIDE CALENDAR 2012
http://www.gaytoz.com/gay_pride_dates.asp