Council awards £32k to events celebrating Pride this summer

LGBTQ+ artwork, workshops, music, festivals, performances, dancing, history and even a Panto have all received funding from a council’s Pride Fund.

More than 30 organisations applied for the Southwark Pride funding pot, launched earlier this year, which supports events that celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer identity, culture, histories and rights.

Of these, 17 projects were awarded grants towards their activities taking place over Pride month in June, as well as July and August. 

Cllr Stephanie Cryan, Cabinet Member for Equalities, Democracy and Finance, said: “With the results of the 2021 census showing that Southwark has one of the largest populations of LGBTQ+ people in England, it was very important for us to be able to offer this funding for a second year.

“I am so pleased we had so many fantastic applications and I think we have selected some great events that will support our LGBTQ+ residents in a wide range of communities this year.”

Successful bidders include Bermondsey Arts Group which will host readings and music performances, zine making workshops with all-LGBTQIA+ and disabled or neurodivergent team Queer Diary and Copla-Caberet which will run performance workshops for LGBTQ+ migrants.

Robin Paley Yorke of Seemia Theatre, said: “Seemia Theatre CIC and Copla Cabaret are really excited to be offering this series of workshops. 

“At a time when our LGBTQIA+ community is experiencing increased hate-crime, we hope the Copla Cabaret workshops provide a space to play, celebrate and come together as a community.”

Details of the successful events, and other Pride activities taking place around the borough, will be available on the council’s Southwark Presents what’s on pages.

Anyone holding an event this year can promote it for free on the council’s website at www.southwark.gov.uk/southwarkpresents and click on the ‘Add Your Event’ link,  making sure to mark up that it is a Pride event.

(Picture: Pixabay/Astrobobo)