"working in partnership to develop services free from discrimination"
September 2008 - Date of Stoke Pride 2009 Announced
Following the success of the first ever Stoke Pride this year, the date for Stoke Pride 2009 has been announced - Saturday 8th August 2009.
The Pride committee is currently considering four locations
- Hillcrest Street public carpark ( the carpark opposite The Club, up the ramp)
- Northwood Park (which is a 5min walk from The Club & The Three Tuns)
- Piccadilly - the main street outside Pink
- Hanley Park
To help the committee decide, the LGBT community is invited to forward their suggestions to the LGBT Network and members will be canvassing opinion on the scene.
August 2008 - Stoke Pride - Pride in the Potteries
What a year it has been for Stoke-on-Trent. Not only has the Potters (Stoke City) been promoted to the Premiership for the very first time, but the city has been host to its first official Gay Pride! After many year of trying and a few attempts to test the water, Stoke Pride finally happened this August.
Event organiser Peter Rigby said "The success Pride was beyond our expectation.The people of Stoke played excellent hosts to just over 3500 people who travelled from across the West Midlands and South Cheshire to join us."
Crowds were attracted to the main stage to watch 'Avenue', the Boy George Experience, Miss Penny and the fabulous Angie Brown. With the community village packed full of local community groups and business wanting to support the LGBT community.
Peter Rigby said "the significance of Stoke Pride should not be under estimated. Never before has the city hosted an event that recognised its gay and lesbian community, never before has the local media and businesses had the confidence to show its support.
People are already contacting us offering their support for 'Stoke Pride 2009'.
July 2008 - Funds secured to support older LGBT People
The LGBT Network, in conjunction with Age Concern North Staffordshire, has been awarded £800 to raise awareness and improve services for LGBT people who are above the age of 50.
The 2008 grant has been secured through the Barclays Age Concern Fund, which this year has funded projects that aim to improve the quality of life for people who are lesbian, gay and bisexual.
Peter Rigby, chair of the LGBT Network, said: "All too often the services provided to the gay and lesbian community are aimed at younger people and we forget older people also have needs. People have become more comfortable 'coming out' however the basic services available to support older LGBT people are not so advanced in their understanding of gay culture, their legal obligations or what services are required."
The successful application includes a weekly "professionals" social network and a city conference aimed at raising awareness of the needs of older gay people in care homes and hospitals and those who are receiving social care