Brighton Gay Pride

THIS EVENT HAS NOW HAPPENED AND IS HERE FOR ARCHIVE REASONS ONLY

Information

I know that Brighton Gay Pride is not an actual mental health event, but it IS well worth supporting.

There are a lot of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transexual people that have mental health problems. I have known a few people who have grown up having those feelings, but have had homophobic parents or just parents that were not approachable about such things! Growing up like that can unfortunately cause mental health problems. Some people have even had people try to 'cure' their sexuality! That cannot do any good for anybodies mental state. Sexuality is not something people choose. You don't just get up one day and think "I know, I think I might become Gay, that sounds fun", for a lot of people it can cause a lot of emotional feelings. I know somebody that was homophobic, I can remember when he would complain about all the bloody queers on TV etc. Guess who came out a few years ago! Anyway I am not saying all Gay etc. people are nuts! I am just saying it is a group with a high risk of mental health problems.

Brighton Gay Pride is held every year at Preston Park in Brighton. It starts off with a carnival parade round Brighton town centre and finishes up with a huge event actually in Preston Park, where there are hundreds of stalls (including ones from mental health charities), dance tents, live acts, music, rides and so much more. I go every year and take my Wife and Daughter (who is now 8), so it is a pretty family friendly event and really great fun. Every year they have a theme and for 2006 its "Carry On Pride", as in the Carry On films, so all three of us are going dressed as Nurses!!! (don't forget I am Male, 6'3" and over 20 stone!)

Its a great event, a real feel good day, please support it.

Dean - Sussex Mad

Suitability

Mental Health problems

It is a very busy and noisy day, so I would not recommend it to people who have problems with big crowds. The whole of Brighton is normally pretty packed and there are not many places around the park area to go and chill out if its too busy for you.

Physical Health problems

There is a Disabled parking area, but you do normally need to apply for a parking permit from Brighton Pride via their website in advance. If you do not have a permit then make sure you get there early as its a big event and getting parked anywhere near can be very hard if you don't beat the rush. The park is all pretty much flat, so wheelchairs and crutches users should not have problems, it is pretty big though. Dance tents (I love Wild Fruit) etc. are great free fun, but they do get very packed and it can be quite a squash. They are not too bad on crutches, but think it would be a bit scary being in a wheelchair in there. Disabled friendly toilets are normally in the first aid area.

Brighton Gay Pride Links

Official Brighton Pride site

Brighton Pride photos

Mind Out

Related information

Gay Pride 2006