MoD banned from holding stall at Bristol Pride event

BRISTOL Pride says it has turned down a request from the Ministry of Defence for a stall this year due to protests in 2018.

The MoD, which employs more than 13,000 people at its Filton base, was part of the parade in Bristol’s celebration of the LGBT+ community last year.

This year’s event takes place today with a main event on Clifton Down.

But the city’s Pride CEO Daryn Carter said the festival told the MoD it will not be able to hold a stall, citing the views of the community on military conflict.

He said: “We told them we wouldn’t be able to provide them with a stall this year because of the protests last year.

“The MoD flagged to us there was hostility towards them being in the parade last year.”

Mr Carter revealed the backlash over Airbus sponsoring Bristol Pride in 2018 led the festival to reconsider which organisations could sponsor it or put on stalls this year.

Campaigners pointed to Airbus’s trade links with countries including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Syria, which have been accused of oppressive and homophobic regimes.

Staff at the Filton plant make the wings for the A400M military transport plane, bought by the Turkish Government.

“There was a growing movement of people who did not want organisations involved that support trade with Governments that have poor human rights records,” Mr Carter said.

“The MoD was the only organisation that we said couldn’t have a stall. Airbus never asked for one.

“No one has been banned from participating in Pride. Airbus and the MoD are more than welcome to come. I don’t particularly like having the Conservatives at Pride, given my own personal views, but they are welcome.”

Airbus says it does not make or sell weapons.

A spokeswoman for the firm said: “This year, Airbus in the UK sponsored Portsmouth Pride, which was a tremendous success, and is sponsoring Chester Pride in August, which our LGBT+ staff are very much looking forward to.

“It was 50 years ago that the Stonewall Riots took place in New York to kick-start the global Pride movement and, in our own 50th year, we are proud to be involved in these two great festivals celebrating the achievements of the LGBT+ community while reflecting on how much more still needs to be done to attain equality around the world.

“We wish everyone an enjoyable Bristol Pride on Saturday.”

The MoD was approached for comment.