Brighton Pride has just been cancelled due to coronavirus crisis
Mariah Carey. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty)
Britain’s Pride calendar suffered yet another devastating blow as Brighton and Hove Pride organisers – where the goddess of pop Mariah Carey was scheduled to perform – was cancelled, citing the accelerating coronavirus pandemic.
For the last 30 years, the pastel-toned lanes and promenade of the bustling port town in southern England transformed into space for queer folk across the country to drink and play across the pebbled shores, partying till sunrise.
But with COVID-19 threatening the country’s vulnerable, organisers of one of the largest Pride festivals in the country Friday morning took the “difficult decision” to postpone the landmark 30th-anniversary celebration due to take place August 1 and 2 to 2021 instead.
It is with a heavy heart that Brighton & Hove Pride have taken the difficult decision to postpone our landmark 30th anniversary celebrations that were due to take place on 1st & 2nd August until 2021.
Read full statement here: https://t.co/IMuetMfPaY pic.twitter.com/E497kLKWPU
— Brighton & Hove Pride (@PrideBrighton) April 3, 2020
The move to postpone comes after Pridegoers and healthcare advocates urged for the typically busy celebration to be cancelled.
Celebration postponed ‘until 2021’, organisers say.
Brighton locals often peeped out of their Regency-style houses to see the likes of Britney Spears and Kylie Minogue performing on their doorsteps for one of the most beloved and anticipated celebrations each year.
Bur organisers issued a statement explaining why, as the coronavirus crisis rampages Britain, the Pride must be postponed to 2021.
“We are shocked and devastated by the unprecedented turn of events over the past weeks – especially the catastrophic health and economic impacts this pandemic is having on members of our community,” the statement read.
“The decision to postpone has not been taken lightly and with many events still planning to go ahead in July and August we were hoping to wait until closer to the time to avoid disappointing our volunteers, community groups and the public.
A giant rainbow Pride flag is carried along the sea front during Brighton Pride 2018 on August 4, 2018 in Brighton, England. (Tristan Fewings/Getty)
“But after carefully monitoring the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic and evaluating the ongoing risks and uncertainty, as well as the additional pressure any large event puts on the emergency services, we have taken the very difficult decision to postpone this year’s Pride FABULOSO Anniversary celebration.”
I had a ticket for Brighton Pride, what can I do?
Organisers explained that existing tickets holders do not need to do anything.
All 2020 Pride tickets will be honoured and rolled over to the rescheduled event.
While Pride-participants can request a refund, organisers are urging folks to donate the face value of their ticket to local LGBT+ charities.
Many with threadbare budgets have been thrown into jeopardy during the pandemic, so organisers said: “By donating the face value of your ticket you will support Pride going forward and its fundraising objectives for 2020.”
Moreover, by donating, the user will be included in the priority booking list for Pride 2021, the statement added.
Pro-trans group L With The T lead the Brighton Trans Pride protest march in 2018. (Facebook/TransPrideBrighton)
It’s the latest dent the coronavirus pandemic has dealt the LGBT+ community as it paralyses Britain.
As queer venue owners grapple with the effects of shuttering doors and Pride after Pride, including London’s, postpone.
Delicate and bristled with spikes, the coronavirus strain that is suffocating the world first emerged in December 2019 and was tracked down to Wuhan’s busy seafood and livestock market.
After slipping into the UK earlier this year, the nation’s public health service and lawmakers have been stampeded since.
Cases of the coronavirus – vastly held down for weeks – have surged to more than 163,000 at the time of writing.
