AgentLesbos

I think a gay café is a great idea. I don't know the exact figures but the rate of alcohol and drug issues within the lgbt community is much higher than the rest of the population largely due to the main lgbt social spaces being bars and clubs. There are various specialist and community bookshops all over the country, not just gay bookshops, but religious, arts, political, film, dance, cooking, gardening etc so I don't see the issue.

As far as I know the planning application that was in was for yet more apartments, whether this has changed due to the credit crunch / fall in housing market etc I don't know. Most, if not all, gay villages that I know of consist of private businesses and have been built up over a number of years by venues opening near to each other - I would think it unlikely that the council would be buying an area with that specific intent - although I would be more than happy to be proved wrong.

“I'd rather be able to face myself in the bathroom mirror than be rich and famous.” Ani DiFranco

If you check the facebook group theres already a few that have made their way on their. I've received a fair few comments that the Mankini was the highlight of the day ;-)

Fab pictures - Could you put them on the Pride facebook group ?

Thankyou - I still can't quite believe we pulled it off. But the biggest thanks go to everyone who helped out and of course to everyone who turned up and made the day as big and successful as it was.

With regards to the posts about the buses - we really had no idea that the event would be as much of a sucess as it was. We got the bus to run from 1130 - 100 and 500 - 630 to cover the main pick up and drop offs but were unsure how many people would actually use is (it's turns out that there were about 1000 people who did). Cemetery Park is a short walk from either the city centre, london road or ecclesall road which all have regular buses. We will bear the comments in mind for nest year - when we will probably be moving venues anyway.

The parade was the only thing we were unable to arrange for this year as it involves about the same amount of work again as the festival did, but fingers crossed it is something we are planning on for next year. If you want to help out for next year email us at [email protected] or join the facebook group - we will definatelt need some more folk after the 6 of us who organised this year have somehow escaped without having complete nervous breakdowns lol

As the person who organised the main stage lineup I would point out that we had a large number of local performers. OutAloud - Sheffield's LGBT community choir Miss Whiplash - Former host of Sheffield club night Fairy Likuid Chrystine Moon - Sheffield based Lesbian Commedian Steve Stack - Director of Sheffield's Centre for HIV Bison - You don't get more local than Bison Karen Mulcahey - Rotherham NaZdrove - Sheffield Nic Harding - Rotherham Anja Bach - Sheffield Pride Idol - All local Sheffield LGB Youth Initiative Dancers - All local We did have a couple of acts who came from further afield to support the event (namely Axe Kid (Brighton), Ryan Jagger (Cleethorpes), Random Pam (Manchester), Cavali (Manchester) and Susan Hedges (Merseyside)) All of the DJ's in the dance tent were local and the majority (if not all) of the performers on T'Other stage were local aswell. We have a massive amount of talent in the city - was fantastic to see the diverse range of performers.

I'd say that was a pretty conservative guess - it's always difficult to guage numbers but we had about 1,000 people that used the bus we put on so at a guess I'd say we had at least 5,000 people at pride. I know when I actually got to leave the main stage briefly I could barely squeeze my way through the park.

Cool - will see you all there. I;m running the main stage so if you see me running around looking stressed that'd be why. I'm also doing some performance poetry on T'Other Stage at 3 oclock ish if any one wants to come and show some support. I've got a lovely South Yorkshire Pride tshirt - if anyone else wants to look as cool as me on the day aswell - they will be on sale at the event :-)

Its ok - only my name and date of birth which you can get off many an internet forum - only use for anyone is for knowing when my birthday is so you can all get me cards and gifts ;-)

Yes its gone now - was a couple of weeks now. I didnt return it.

I swallowed a drill bit at the dentists a couple of weeks ago . . . my dentist didn't attach it properly and dropped it staright down my throat. http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v248/243/73/552600081/n552600081_3042402_3575.jpg http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v248/243/73/552600081/n552600081_3042403_3892.jpg

There are no floats - we only have a festival, no parade so there will be no inconvenience at all to road users. I know a lot of straight people who are coming, either with friends or family or just because of the lineup. There are lots of reasons for Pride events. The only other place generally for the LGBT community to get together is in bars or clubs which is no good if you are under 18, or dont drink, or are much older or just dont do bars/clubs for whatever reason. Also I believe in pride events because I am proud. I am proud to be a member of a community who over many years have campaigned for equality and human rights, who have achieved changes in laws and attitudes and prejudices within society as a whole. I am proud to live my life in an open and honest way and to be who I am despite the prejudices and discrimination which still exist. In a world where many prejudices still exist, racism, sexism etc homophobia is different. It is virtually impossible to hide the fact of being black or female, however you can hide being gay. You can feel ashamed of your sexuality and/or choose to remain closetted The process of coming out for many people is a major event in their life and one I believe is fully justified of feeling proud of. Secondly I feel that pride events still serve a major purpose. In a world where 7-12% of the population are Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual depending on the statistical source (we don't need to argue over exact figures, needless to say there are a lot of us) the LGBT community is massively under represented. Sheffield is the fourth largest city in the UK outside of London and the largest city in the UK to have never held a pride event. Pride events are still an important tool in the campaign for complete equality. Homophobia still exists. People are still abused, attacked and killed on a daily basis across the world. We still don't have full partnership rights and can't get married (civil partnerships are different to a marriage). Sexual health provision for gay women is virtually non existent. Homophobic bullying in schools is still happening on a massive scale. Incitement to hatred on grounds of religion is illegal but incitement to hatred on grounds of sexuality isn't. The list goes on. We have made massive advances over the years since the UK's first gay pride march in 1972 but we still have a long way to go in achieving equality. Pride events are a massive tool in this, in gaining visability, acceptance and continuing campaigning. It is also a fantastic way to bring together a massive community of people which includes people of all genders, ages, religions, ethicities etc to celebrate the diversity of their community, their achievments and their pride.