The first Pride event for Bridlington is to take place in July, two years after attack on rainbow flag

The date has been set for Bridlington’s first Pride.
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The celebration of the area’s LGBT Plus community will take place on Saturday July 4 at Bridlington Spa.

It is being organised as a show of support and to raise awareness following the attack on a Pride flag in Bridlington two years ago.

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In July 2018, a rainbow flag - flown to show support for the LGBT Plus community around the time of the Hull Pride event - was cut down from the grounds of Bridlington Police Station.

Positive feedback: Andy Train, chair of the Hull and East Riding LGBT Plus Forum, with Sarah Kemp and Donna Walker from Bridlington Pride.Positive feedback: Andy Train, chair of the Hull and East Riding LGBT Plus Forum, with Sarah Kemp and Donna Walker from Bridlington Pride.
Positive feedback: Andy Train, chair of the Hull and East Riding LGBT Plus Forum, with Sarah Kemp and Donna Walker from Bridlington Pride.

A group calling themselves ‘Men of Bridlington’ claimed responsiblity for the vandalism in a hate-filled email sent to Bridlington’s MP Sir Greg Knight, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s then leader Councillor Stephen Parnaby, the town council, media outlets and leading figures at Humberside Police.

Donna Walker, Treasurer and Co-Chair of the Bridlington Pride organising committee, said the destruction of the flag led to the start of plans for the event.

“We wanted to support and raise awareness of the LGBT Plus community and to help provide support groups and social events.

“At the moment, everything is signposted to Hull or York.”

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Organisers are hoping the event will help bring the community together.

Several businesses in the town are already showing their support by displaying Bridlington Pride window stickers.

And a seminar to discuss the plans has so far attracted more than 20 people from 14 different organisations, all keen to get involved.

“We couldn’t have asked for better feedback,” said Donna. “It’s been really positive.”

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A launch party is being held at Barbuddha on Quay Road on Friday February 28. Anyone interested in attending should register their interest on Bridlington Pride’s Facebook page.

The committee is also appealing for volunteers to help with the preparations. Anyone interested and any businesses or organisations who would like to get involved can email [email protected]