I am writing on behalf of the Pride in Brighton and Hove board of trustees to address the concerns that have been raised in your recent letters page. Pride is a registered charity that is run by and for the local community. Thousands of local lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) individuals, community groups and businesses make Pride happen every year and enjoy the events we and our partners provide.

Pride celebrates LGBT lives and provides a platform, through the festival weeks, carnival parade and main park event for others to share their issues, messages and concerns.

That is what we mean when we say that “Pride is what you want it to be” – because at the end of the day the local LGBT community decide what it will be, and every individual, group or business that takes part shares their own messages about being part of the LGBT community.

But that does not take away from Pride’s core message, which remains that discrimination of any kind against LGBT people is not acceptable in today’s society.

Yvonne Barker Chairwoman of Pride