Request for financial support for Oakham Pride from Oakham Town Council.
Pride is a new thing here in Oakham, Pride here in my opinion does not represent the whole LGBTQ+ community. Last year it divided and excluded parts of the community. The Chairman responsible stepped aside and at the last minute a new Chairman organised the event.
In a request Pride have sent to Oakham Town Council for funding this year, again so last minute and after Oakham Town Council has set its budget for the next financial year.
Oakham Pride show they are not inclusive.
They concentrate only on young people and incorrectly claim other town events don't reach teenagers or young people.
"We believe Pride reaches teenagers and young people in a way that most town events do not.
"This is an opportunity for Oakham Town Council to support the teenagers of Oakham and show its commitment to diversity and community spirit and we welcome any support you can offer."
The LGBTQ+ community is made up of many different groups of people and individuals, they are not just teenagers and young people.
"Pride is a unique and important part of a town's annual calendar bringing the LGBT+ community
and allies together to promote inclusion, equality and diversity."
It should be but sadly it is not the case here in Oakham even the committee fails to be inclusive.
When I used to ask for Pride in Oakham, I did not expect this outcome and nor did other people.
Request for financial support for Oakham Pride from Oakham Town Council.
Pride is a unique and important part of a town's annual calendar bringing the LGBT+ community
and allies together to promote inclusion, equality and diversity.
Oakham Pride launched in 2022 with a parade followed by a festival in the castle grounds. The
event was far better attended than we had anticipated with over 500 attendees. The feedback
from the day was overwhelmingly positive and we were especially proud of the engagement we
had from the town's young people and families.
It is estimated that around 1-in-5 adults under 24 no longer identify as 'cishet' and in small rural
towns such as Oakham that do not have a thriving LGBT+ 'scene', an event like Pride is the only
chance the community has to show support and celebrate sexuality and gender identity.
We are now looking to build on the success of Pride 2022 and provide a bigger and better Pride
2023. We are planning a parade followed by a festival again, but this time (with thanks to you)
this will be in Cutts Close Park.
We predict that our total costs for this year will be £3000 with the following breakdown
Performing Acts and volunteer
expenses
£1100
Health, Safety, first aid £800
Prizes £300
Decoration, banners,
advertising
£500
Bins and toilets £300
We are asking if Oakham Town Council could help support this event by offering funding of up
to £2000 towards the cost of the event. We believe Pride reaches teenagers and young people
in a way that most town events do not. We are also fundraising with a selection of smaller
events including a tea party and a masquerade ball alongside online fundraising, charging for
stalls and a repeat of the 'Big raffle' we held last year. Should it be necessary, we are happy to
be fully transparent to the council about our accounts and budget and meet any necessary legal
requirements. This is an opportunity for Oakham Town Council to support the teenagers of
Oakham and show its commitment to diversity and community spirit and we welcome any
support you can offer. Financially, we aim to use this year's event as a platform to be able to
self support moving forward and hope to raise sufficient funds this year to host next year's
event.
