Brighton Pride raises more than £300,000 for LGBTQ+ charities

This year’s Brighton Pride, which marked its 30th anniversary, saw the festivities make a triumphant return after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, with a weekend of celebration and protest.

Singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera dazzled and entertained thousands as she headlined the Preston Park festival, along with Ella Henderson and Todrick Hall.

Paul Kemp, managing director of Brighton Pride, said that the money will provide much-needed funds to local charities, community groups and projects.

He said: “We are thrilled that Brighton Pride made a successful return to the city for its 30th anniversary. It was a truly fantastic weekend of love, protest and unity, with campaigning and protest right at the heart of Pride.

“After two years of pandemic and lockdowns, the logistics of delivering a large-scale event were even more challenging than usual with hurdles, including increased costs for cleansing and security and availability of infrastructure.

“However, we are really happy to announce this year’s Pride has raised over £300,000, which will be distributed to our essential local charities, community groups and projects through the Brighton Rainbow Fund, the Pride Social Impact Fund and Pride Development Fund with special grants through the Pride Solidarity Fund.”

Christina Aguilera performed to thousands at the Pride festival in Preston Park

The amount fundraised from this year’s event takes the total amount raised by the current organisation to almost £1.25 million.

Chris Gull, chairman of the Brighton Rainbow Fund, said: “Pride not only raises funds, but also reminds businesses and venues organising their own events in this period that they can make those events meaningful by raising funds, rather than just grabbing the opportunities that Brighton pride brings to the city to make a profit without acknowledging the work and effort that it takes to make Pride happen at all.

“We already know from the applications we have received for funding that the money raised by Pride will make a significant and positive difference to many of our Brighton and Hove LGBTQ+ communities.”

The annual weekend of festivities for Pride brings an estimated £25.5 million into the city’s economy, with visitors spending money on accommodation, retail, food and drink during the celebrations.