Summary
There is a lot of information in here, as a lot was discussed so here is my short summary!
It is clear that LCP have done a lot of research, have a wide range of skills in the Board and Executive Team, have spoken to a lot of people and are committed to the community. But what struck me as most appealing was that they weren't afraid to announce their shortcomings. They announced early on that they were short of women in particular, and also links to key areas of the community. This meeting was a reach out to introduce themselves and to ask for support.
Key information:
- The bid winner will be announced on Friday 21 December 2012
- There are 3 bids through to the last stage
- LCP is the only group that has reached out to the LGBT Community
- LCP cannot give away too much information before 21 December due to the competitive bid process
- LCP is a Community Interest Company (CIC) and if successful in its bid has vowed to publish all minutes of meetings, xxx
- Pride in London is the third largest event that takes place in London (after Nottinghill Carnival and New Years Eve)
Board of Directors: Michael Salter, Andrew Jones, Stephan Ward, Craig Cox, Kerry Chapman, David Embleton, Patrick Lyster-Todd, Liam Loan-Lack. Read their bios and check out their backgrounds
Executive Team: Oli Foster, Helen Bee, Cliff Joannou, Ben Gabbitas, Diana Taylor, Colin Renshaw, Jeremy Joseph, Ben Whur, Wendyl Harris, Ian Massa-Harris, Daniel Kroop, Daniel Winterfeldt, Robin Crowley, Ed Hall and Mark Delacour. Read their bios and check out their backgrounds
Attendees from the community included: Planet London, Antidote, THT, LGBT Labour London, Richmond LGBT Forum, Gingerbeer, Gendered Intelligence, ClinicQ, Cactus Club, GMFA, Pink Singers, Gay Women's Network, Unite, L Wired, TUC, Stonewall Housing and Interbank
Michael Salter, Co-Chair of LCP opened the meeting announcing that LCP was seeking to unite the community to deliver a world class pride in London for London. He announced LCP's vision was to return Pride in London to the fundamentals, but reinvigorated for today, looking at challenges in the UK in health, jobs, gay marriage and wider international issues.
The aims of LCP are to deliver a world class Pride - festival and parade including Trafalgar Square and to raise money for LGBT charities. They want to get the widest possible diverse attendance and this is the priority at the heart of LCP.
LCP announced that the core cost of the event is £400k, just to host the parade and to run Soho in terms of security, so Greater London Authority (GLA) are funding a quarter of the minimum amount needed to run Pride in London in 2013.
From 21 December, there is just 14 weeks in which to finalise plans and submit plans to meet the deadlines in place for permits.
Andrew Jones, Co-Chair of LCP took the podium and announced that LCP planned to work in tandem with the 2018 Gay Games if it is successful in coming to London.
In terms of 2013, Andrew announced a 3 day festival around the parade, Trafalgar Square and street parties. LCP is looking for collaborators who are aligned with LCP to run events in Clapham, East London and Vauxhall around the festival LCP will put on. These events must be self-financing.
LCP estimates that Pride in London in 2013 will attract 25,000 marchers.
LCP are planning to add a multimedia aspect to Pride in London, similar to that seen in the Olympics this year. Live interviews and recorded videos will be featured around the capital.
LCP announced a fringe festival around the parade with screenings, debates, sports events, etc. These would be promoted by LCP but run by third parties.
Next to the podium was Wendyl Harris. Wendyl announced that LCP were aware that many people in the community already run events around Pride independently. LCP would like to bring them in under the LCP umbrella. Wendyl was also extremely honest in saying that the current make up of LCP was not representative. It is currently a group of people who have come together as passionate and dedicated. Wendyl announced that LCP want to set up an advisory group of community members to meet and discuss regularly where LCP is going right, going wrong, etc. LCP wants to ensure that the community has a voice. Stephan Ward was announced as leading the advisory group.
Helen Bee stood up and talked about the transparency of LCP and the importance of including the community. Helen also announced a business liaison group. Helen announced that LCP promised clear, regular and open communications.
Liam Loan-Lack talked to the room about volunteering, strategy and engagement. He announced that the volunteering arm of LCP would be diverse and professional. LCP promised to ensure that volunteers were properly supported and engaged, could contribute safely and recognised for their hard work and dedication. Volunteers woudl be the heart and face of Pride in London - the pillars on which LCP will rise or fall.
Michael made some closing remarks before the floor was opened for a question and answer session.
Peter Burton from TUC mentioned that the Mayor's intention to stop funding Pride in 5 years time is perhaps an issue that should be campaigned and challenged. He also noted that although he was impressed with the presentations, the devil is in the detail and to overcome the fear and distrust LCP would have to go out into the community as many would not simply turn up at a meting or approach LCP. Peter noted he wanted to see clear terms of refrence for meetings and groups.
Ben from National HIV Prevention noted that there was strong opportunities for LCP to be a strong voice around health and as HIV is a large part of the LGBT community in the present and the foreseeable future this should be considered.
LCP responded that there would be opportunities to use the multimedia screesn to broadcast HIV messges. There are 4 years of themes as yet undecided as well.
Peter asked what the practical steps would be after 21 December should LCP be successful.
Jermima Jefferson from the Gay Women's Network noted that more detail was required before many of those in the room could go back to their groups and communities to promote LCP.
LCP admited that it may make mistakes, and that they needed the community to prod and poke and assist with expertise as required.
Ron from Stonewall Housing asked about aiming events at older LGBT people, who he felt had historically been neglected at Pride.
LCP responded that with the theme they had in mind, older LGBT people would be at the front and centre of the parade, being appreciated for the progress so far.
Terry noted that Pride has come a long way from the 70s when the meetings took place in a squat.
Danny from Interbank asked why LCP were creating certain things such as the operations manual from scratch when the one from a couple of years back would be a suitable starting point. He noted that a call for action was possible to be announced within the community but that a strong business plan would be required to understand what the call is for.
LCP noted that they had tried to gain access to previous documentation, spoken to many ex-Pride London members but just wasn't able to. They noted that all bidders were in this position. They also noted that whilst some people would have liked a closed off Soho like Manchester, however London's bylaws prevented such a set up.
In response to comments about Trafalgar Square being too small LCP noted that there was simply not enough time to find a new space for use in 2013, and therefore any bidder would be making the most of the space available in 2013. They didn't discount looking into alternative locations in future years.
A member of the Pink Singers noted that Pink Singers were planning a special celebration as it was their 30th year, and they were formed especially for Pride. Another member of Pink Singers noted that there were no youth in the room.
In response LCP noted that they would love Pink Singers and any other community groups planning celebrations to get in touch so they could integrate into LCP. In relation to the lack of youth, it was noted that Youth Group representatives were in the room, however it was noted that there were no young people present and LCP would address this.
Useful linksThe website for London Community Pride is http://www.londoncommunitypride.org/
LCP's Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/CommunityforPrideLondon2013/?fref=ts
LCP's Page: http://www.facebook.com/LondonCommunityPride?fref=ts
The Press Release from LCP asking for community engagement: http://bigbangbyplanetlondon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/london-community-pride-seeks-community.html
Notes by Planet London of the original Pride London debate hosted at Heaven in July 2012: http://bigbangbyplanetlondon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/the-big-pride-london-debate.html
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