When Manchester Pride took place over the summer, it was a time for many members of the LGBTQ+ community to come together for possibly the first time since the pandemic began.
The momentous four-day event, held over August bank holiday, featured a plethora of live music, entertainment, and celebrations - but it also highlighted how some things might need to change in the future.
Protests were held both before and during the event, with people suggesting Pride had moved away from its campaigning roots.
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There were also others who were upset with financial cutbacks Manchester Pride had to make as a result of the pandemic.
Pride announced there would be a need to scale back funding on some grassroots and long-standing projects and campaigns - most notably LGBT Foundation and George House Trust’s Safer Sex Scheme.
Now, LGBT Foundation has unveiled a series of recommendations urging for transparency, accountability and change within Manchester Pride’s future.
The Manchester-based charity says it hopes the recommendations - which are delivered ‘in good faith’ - can help better serve the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
“It is clear that last year Manchester Pride had difficulties with a number of its stakeholders,” the report outlined.
“None of us are perfect and all of us make mistakes. Everyone at LGBT Foundation wants to be a supportive ally and we all want to see a successful Pride Festival delivered in Manchester.
“We want to assist in any way that we can to support Manchester Pride to rebuild its relationships with the LGBTQ+ communities of Greater Manchester.”
The recommendations offer proposals on improving inclusion at Pride - such as involving People of Colour, disabled LGBTQ+ people, and other marginalised groups - to ensure all voices are represented at the event.
On the topic of accountability, LGBT Foundation said it was 'imperative' that Manchester Pride provided 'truly meaningful safe spaces for communal solidarity and celebration'.
The report suggests the creation of an ‘accessible and independent’ system that annually reviews Pride events with input from the local community.
It also suggests regular 'appropriate sensitivity training' for 'all involved parties', the auditing of venues to ensure their 'appropriateness in terms of accessibility and handling complaints', and the engagement of community awareness campaigns targeting specific forms of discrimination.
With regards to transparency, the report suggests a ‘vibrant and diverse range of community groups’ are involved in the consultation process of planned events.
The charity also recommended ‘open communication with community members to explain why some decisions may need to be taken’ and ‘being forthcoming’ about opportunities for community engagement.
On the topic of change, LGBT Foundation recommended using 'grassroots and independent events', such as Trans Pride, Black Pride and Muslim Pride, as 'models of best practice' in 'focusing on an aspiration to achieve a better tomorrow'.
The report also highlighted an importance in pursuing 'targeted support for specific gaps in knowledge and experience', and suggested a reprioritisation of 'the central points of Manchester Pride' by involving and utilising local organisations and groups.
It also suggested introducing a ‘pay what you can’ or lower income option to ensure that price was not a barrier for people to be able to experience Pride events.
LGBT Foundation also recommended further assurances that BSL signing and wheelchair access was available at every venue, or signposts ‘at least’ if not possible to implement.
The suggestions also outlined a need for staff and volunteers to be trained in ‘active bystander interventions’ in order to further support the needs of the community.
The report’s suggestions were compiled from feedback gathered by LGBT Foundation on required improvements from the 2021 event.
LGBT Foundation said it hoped the findings would help Manchester Pride strengthen its relationships with the LGBTQ+ communities of Greater Manchester, and that it would take the recommendations on board.
Paul Martin, Chief Executive at LGBT Foundation, said: “Pride events are hugely important to many LGBTQ+ people, and we want to see Manchester Pride grow and change so that it is inclusive, safe, and fun for all members of our community.
“This report sets out our recommendations in good faith, for improving accessibility and engagement with the community, and we will work closely with Manchester Pride to ensure the Festival is a success.
“We offer ourselves as ongoing allies and partners of Manchester Pride and the recommendations in this report are an opportunity for us to deliver on our vision of believing in a fair and equal society where all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people can reach their full potential.
“We are keen to look to the future of Manchester Pride, and will be working closely with the team to ensure it is a celebratory event that represents our entire community where individuals can find space to celebrate being LGBTQ+ in their own way.”
In October, Manchester Pride bosses launched a public consultation allowing people to share their thoughts on the future direction of the event. The consultation results are due to be published later this year.
Responding to LGBT Foundation's report, a spokesperson for Manchester Pride told the M.E.N: "We welcome constructive recommendations from across the community for how we can continue to adapt and improve as a charity.
"The detail outlined in the report will be carefully considered by our trustees, alongside our own in-depth research from our recent public consultation, which we intend to publish later this month.
"As a valued ally, we welcome the LGBT Foundation's report and look forward to working alongside the team in pursuit of our combined goal for greater equality for the LGBTQ+ community."
