With over 5.000 people attending this year’s Wolverhampton Pride in June, over £6,000 was raised from tickets sold (minus fees) and will go to Wolverhampton LGBT+, X2Y LGBT Youth and Gorgeous Radio to further benefit and support the local LGBT+ community.
City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Visitor City, Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, said: “What a fantastic sum to raise for our local LGBT+ charities which do so much across our local communities.
“I would like to thank everyone who bought a ticket and came along as this could not have happened without your support. I’d also like to thank the event sponsors, McCain and National Express, along the organising committee, too.
Ricki Wellman from Gorgeous Radio said: “Gorgeous Community Radio CIC would like to thank City of Wolverhampton Council for their generous donation from the proceeds of Pride 2023. The funds will be used to allow Gorgeous Radio to continue to offer opportunity within the broadcasting industry to LGBTQ+ people and allies.
“We are also hoping to develop a bespoke ‘Podcast’ studio to enable people and communities to share stories and experiences. This will, hopefully, allow other more isolated members of the LGBTQ+ community to feel more included and tackle loneliness. We’re looking forward to Wolverhampton Pride 2024 and, once again, thank the Council and its staff for all their hard work and support.”
Kelly Walker-Reed, spokesperson for Wolverhampton LGBT+ said: “The generous contribution will significantly bolster the funds being raised by Wolverhampton LGBT+ for the development of its very own coffee shop, which aims to establish a sustainable source of income for the charity alongside a welcoming environment where individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities can come together, engage in meaningful conversations and foster a sense of belonging.
“The donation from Wolverhampton City Council exemplifies their unwavering commitment to supporting initiatives that promote inclusivity and empowerment within the local community. Recognising the critical importance of creating safe spaces for the LGBT+ community, the council's endorsement of this project represents a progressive stride towards fostering equality and celebrating diversity in Wolverhampton. We are immensely grateful to Wolverhampton City Council for their remarkable support and this generous donation. Their commitment to championing inclusivity and diversity is truly inspiring. "
Lucy Palin from X2Y said: “The Wolverhampton Pride funding will greatly benefit X2Y LGBT Youth Group and the young people we provide a safe space for.
“We will be able to continue the invaluable work we've been doing in the city for almost two decades and support as many young people as possible. We offer a safe, warm and open space for LGBTQ+ young people to meet their peers and know they are not alone in their journey to understand who they are.”
Keep up to date with the latest news on Wolverhampton Pride 2024 at @pridewton (TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and at Wolves Pride.
