Reading Pride

Reading Pride is an annual LGBTA event held in Reading, Berkshire, England, that serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and asexual communities of Reading and the Thames Valley.

History

The first Reading Pride was held on Saturday 4 September 2004 at King's Meadow in Reading.

2006 saw the introduction of a parade through Reading's main shopping streets to the festival site.

Since 2007 Pride has been a permanent annual event at King's Meadow.

Reading Pride 2008 saw an increase of more than 10,500 visitors which helped raise additional funds; these were put back into the community to provide support to a number of local charities and organisations such as BeYou, Gay Berkshire and Thames Valley Positive Support.

Since 2009, Reading Pride has continued to add attendance-boosting attractions year after year^[1] including live performance stages, a VIP area, alternative performance enclosures, chill out areas, a Youth Zone and Karaoke.

The next Reading Pride event will be held at King's Meadow on 30 August 2014.^[2]

Aims of the Charity

Reading Pride aims to promote equality and diversity, advance education and eliminate discrimination in relation to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Asexual (LGBTA) people.

Reading Pride works for the benefit of the community in Reading and around the Thames Valley. By staging an annual parade and festival the charity strives to raise awareness on issues affecting LGBTA persons.

Throughout the year the Reading Pride also supports other charitable and voluntary organisations within the community, developing an environment in favour of LGBTA equality by providing information, advice and support.^[3]

The Parade

The first Reading Pride parade was held in 2006 and was jointly organised by The Wynford Arms. The Wynford Arms made an incredibly long Rainbow Flag for the parade participants to carry from The Wynford Arms to King's Meadow.

In the years since, the Reading Pride Parade has started from Civic Offices and the number of people taking part in the parade has grown significantly year on year. In 2012 over 500 people participated to celebrate diversity in their town. ^[4]

• Regular Parade Route *^[5]

The Reading Pride Parade starts at 11am at the Civic Offices, travels along Broad Street, Market Place, Forbury Gardens and ends at King's Meadow around 12pm.^[6]

The Organisation

Reading Pride was founded in 2003. It is a registered charity (number 1119891)^[7] run solely by volunteers, aiming to promote equality and diversity, advance education and work towards eliminating discrimination in relation to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Asexual (LGBTA) people, in Reading and across the Thames Valley. Reading Pride is best known for the annual LGBTA Pride festival held every summer. This "free-to-enter" event celebrates the local community and has played a key role in developing an environment in favour of LGBTA equality.^[8]

Reading Pride volunteers work throughout the year to raise funds both for the annual Pride festival and for the community. The team also strives to increase public awareness of other charitable and voluntary organisations in the local area that provide information, advice and support on a breadth of LGBTA issues.

Reading Pride Awards

In 2009, Reading Pride introduced an award ceremony to thank the people that have made a difference to LGBT people in Reading and the Thames Valley.

The winners were:^[9]

• John Woods – Lifetime Achievement Award
• Dennis Hambridge – LGBT Campaigner Award
• SohoBoyz – LGBT Charity/Business Award
• Chris Gibbons / Stonewall – LGBT Impact Campaigner Award
• Simon Hallam & Sue Green – Community Campaigner Award

References

External links

• Reading Pride website