Apology after carnival bans local Pride float
RGANISERS of Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea Carnival have apologised after it barred a LGBT+ group from appearing in its parade.
North Somerset LGBT+ Forum was forced to scrap plans to include its Fifty Shades of Gay – A Celebration of Pride entry into the Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea carnival this week. The carnival committee raised concerns the entry was not suitable for family audiences and breached entry conditions.
The group, based in Weston-superMare, said they believed the decision to be down to “mild homophobia.” Now, after a public backlash to the decision to bar the group and an emergency meeting on Wednesday, Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea North Somerset Committee has apologised.
A spokesman for the committee said: “Highbridge and Burnham-onSea Carnival Committee would like to thank everyone who came out to support the carnival on what turned out to be a wet and windy night. The collection raised £10,408.69.
“We are very pleased with this figure as this was our first big carnival since 2019. However, we are saddened that this has been somewhat overshadowed by some poor communication from ourselves to the North Somerset LGBT+ Forum.
“We would like to apologise for any distress and upset this has caused.” The forum said it hoped that an inclusion policy could be put in place ahead of next year’s parade to allow it to enter.
Talks have also taken place between the carnival committee and the forum. The forum is now gearing up to take part in the Weston-super-Mare Carnival today and the Glastonbury parade later this month.
The committee spokesman added: “We have been in discussion with a representative from the charity as to how we can now work together to move forward.
“Highbridge & Burnham-On-Sea Carnival Committee would like to take this opportunity to wish the Westonsuper-Mare LGBT+ Forum all the best with their entry in the remainder of the Somerset Carnival Circuit 2022.”
The forum’s entry, which was a walking entry, featured a giant unicorn and a number of illuminated rainbows along with members in fancy dress.
North Somerset LGBT+ Forum spokesman Paul Stoodley added: “We were very disappointed not to be allowed to take part in the Burnhamon-Sea parade. I think it is down to a mild case of homophobia.
“I don’t think the committee set out to hurt anyone.”