TATCHELL COMMENTS ON PRIDE BAN

News, Pride by HOMOVISION on June 30, 2009 at 2:43 pm

Peter Tatchell – human rights activist – has just released the following press statement on his banning from last night’s Gay Pride event:

“Although I am a Patron of Pride London, Mayor Boris Johnson barred me from his Pride launch reception at City Hall last night. Why?

“Pride London Chair Paul Birrell twice requested that I and others be sent invites. His requests were ignored.

“The Pride Committee has confirmed to me that the Mayor’s office took over the invite list and ignored its recommendations about who to invite.

“Was I excluded because I recently criticised the Conservatives for joining a right-wing European Parliament grouping that includes the homophobic and anti-Semitic Polish Law and Justice Party?

“Do I care? Not really. I am not campaigning for LGBT human rights to win awards or invites.

“But I am disturbed that many other Patrons of Pride London and hard working Pride London volunteers were also not invited.

“Tory LGBTs got plenty of invites.

“Is Boris manipulating the Pride events for party political advantage?”

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  • I wrote to the mayor's office and had this response


    Dear Mr Burston,

    Thank you for your email of 30th June to the Mayor of London regarding the recent Pride Reception at City Hall.

    This year's Reception took place in London's Living Room at City Hall. The capacity of LLR is 250 standing, which is considerably less than the 2008 event which took place in the Scoop and cafe area (estimated capacity 1500). As a result we had to rationalise the invitation list to which I'm sure you will understand.

    Please be assured that no one was 'banned' from attending this event.

    The Mayor is fully committed to supporting the LGBT community and at the present time is once again supporting London pride on the 4th July, working with Stonewall to tackle homophobic bullying in schools and as Chairman of the MPA has made tackling homophobic and transphobic hate crimes a priority.

    Thank you once again for taking the time to communicate with the Mayor.

    Yours sincerely,

    Wayne Lawley, Office of The Deputy Mayor of London
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