Organisers of Isle of Wight Pride 2020 have announced that this year’s event has been cancelled – but will return again in 2021.
The Trustees of Isle of Wight Pride have been monitoring the current unprecedented situation with the Coronavirus pandemic and feel they can no longer carry on with IW Pride, which was due to take place on 18th July 2020.
In a statement, organisers have said:
“We need to put the safety and wellbeing of our communities the wider public and our valued volunteers first. This decision is not one we have taken lightly as we had big plans, including returning to the beach, it is a huge disappointment to us all.
“We have also considered how the crisis has affected many of our local sponsors some of whom rely heavily on tourism and are now facing very uncertain times.
“The situation regarding events in July is unknown. However, with the lockdown in place and essential instruction to people to stay at home and only travel if necessary, it makes it near impossible to plan and prepare for our event over the next couple of months. As a Charity we also have to consider the risk to us of investing money in planning for an event which may not be able to take place and that this could result in significant debt and perhaps loss of the charity and the event itself in future years”.
Those who purchased tickets to the website through Outsavvy will soon be receiving an email which will confirm a full refund, including booking fees.
Isle of Wight Pride aims to return in 2021.
Perhaps like after a world war, when this virus, if ever, is managed, people will have a different view on life and will not be so influenced by those marginal people, who atm demand and get too much attention for just being unusual.
Whilst no-one can help how they are, how they feel, there is no need to celebrate being on the outside of the majority. If those who were attracted in a peculiar way to enjoying pain, animals, or children were to have parades and attempt and succeed into getting more conventional people to support them, then to me, that would be a sinister acceptance of a growingly odd society.
Whilst the majority of those marginal people attending this event are not an issue for run of the mill society, to my thinking, I would prefer they went about their lives in a more subtle, less in-your-face way. By all means come to the Island, holiday, enjoy, but no ‘need’ to make a song and dance about your being here.
Whilst I can see the comfort in the collectiveness of a like minded group of people can give to one another, to do so on a holiday island, where many families of less alternative people already enjoy our hospitality then surely as places like Brighton are already known for such, that would be the place for such gatherings.
The thin end of the wedge is the concern, for whilst it was wrong to make such illegal, or to shame or victimise people who can’t help their feelings, to me, it is wrong to now make a celebration of being unusual to the majority who aren’t.
How long before more sinister marginal odd attractions are deemed first legal because ‘they’ can’t help how they feel, then it becomes ‘acceptable’, next as here, then celebrated.
Maybe I am just out of touch, but glad I am.
Maybe the libtards can be more silent about a lot of things now. Like we mustn’t complain about China’s abuse of animals, because it is their “culture”. It’s a different story when it comes to a culture using genital mutilation, or when a culture indulges in cannibalism, then it is worldwide condemned, but mention the other cultures abusing animals, and it’s “Oh but it’s part of their culture” from the libtards.
As for the Pride thing, I’m surprised it ‘s only now it’s been cancelled, the carnival was already cancelled I think. I can see why there was a need for Pride marches back in the day when they were so prejudiced against, but it’s hard to see the need nowadays when to be gay is just part of being ‘normal’.
As for all the different aspects of gender, it is all so confusing, I admit to not knowing what gender binary etc means, there are so many definitions and those of us who do not know what they all mean are left feeling we are ‘wrong’ somehow, or lacking.
To hear the media, you’d think that everyone knew someone who was trans, while other types of people are ignored and have no voice.
I’ve long thought the media is very left wing and pushing their own political agenda when they are supposed to be neutral.
I’d rather have a heavy metal parade instead, that’ll never happen… I can dream on
Good afternoon Knighton,
Firstly, I firmly and sincerely believe that everyone should be able to share their views and life experience in order to facilitate constructive conversations, so I thank you for sharing your opinion around the cancellation of IOW Pride.
Secondly, I along with all of my friends were intending to attend IOW Pride this year and, whilst we are saddened as we were looking forward to this, we completely agree with and appreciate the reasons that the event will not take place this year. It is a shame, but for the sustainability of the charity and the need to protect the health of all people at the moment and for the foreseeable, there is no doubt that this is 100% the right decision.
I appreciate your understanding that no on can help who they are and how they feel, however I believe you have slightly misunderstood the intentions of Pride celebrations. For me and those I know at least, the event does not take place to celebrate being outside of the majority, it celebrates being able to be yourself, the same as you, your friends, family and neighbors should be able to. I am a gay man and am quite frankly quite tired of the comparison of two people of the same sex finding each other attractive to bestiality or pedophilia, and also incredibly offended.
I will not though focus on the negative, but instead would like to share my understanding of the foundations of Pride and I would very much appreciate if you could kindly take the time to read, as I have with your comments. Back in the 1960s there was a bar named The Stonewall Inn; the inn was run by the mafia and patronised by the queer/LGBTQ+ community. This, despite the ownership of the premises and the constant police raids, was a safe space for this like-minded community. One night in 1969, when the police arrived to raid the bar, several of the patrons decided enough was enough. They were tired and upset at the constant bombardment by authorities to disperse groups of friends and chosen family, often those alone having had to leave their birth family and their friends just because of who they are/who they love.
In The Stonewall Inn there lived a community of people who able to relax, share common interests, and build friendships; just as every other group of people could do in every other pub/club/restaurant. This is where Pride comes from – the idea that those who are unable to be themselves around their own families, friends, or colleagues can come together and share commonality, the same as a group of builders or darts players might over a few pints on a Friday night.
It may be easy for you to view this as a celebration or an opportunity for ‘unusual’ people to come together and shove their lives down your throat, but truly it’s not. Yes, there is the entertainment element and a wonderful array of colour, music, dance and laughter, much like any festival; but at its heart, it is a safe space for those who are unable to feel safe for the other 364/5 days a year to come together and be free.
As for the idea this may offend people visiting our wonderful island, the chances are they will be no more offended by the patrons and entertainment of Pride than they would be by switching to Channel 4 and watching the wonderful Sandi Toksvig present the Great British Bake Off or switching to watch Brendan O’Carroll in Mrs Browns Boys. And let’s not forget, this event is primarily for the people of the island, so is not entirely attended by people from off of the island.
I am so glad that I and, I’m sure, the rest of the ‘growingly odd society’, are not an issue for you and the rest of the ‘run of the mill society’, and I truly hope you enjoy the glee it brings you (and the seven people that have liked your comment) to know that this event is no longer taking place this year.
Stay safe
I don’t attend any large gathering, be it Pride, carnival or anything like that. I don’t feel comfortable in large groups of people with a lot of noise and rowdiness and prefer quiet countryside or beach, when it is quite deserted and only the sounds of Nature.
One of the few positive things to emerge from this virus outbreak is at least I don’t have to hear rowdy groups of drunks going past my house of an evening and often well into the morning at many times too. That I don’t miss at all, and it was always worse after events like Carnival, and Pride or anything that attracted large groups of people.
Well said ‘worried’. I couldn’t care less what event it is or who it celebrates, but don’t care much for noisy drunks in the early hours.
Henry, thank you for your polite and informative reply, which I have read in full.
Whilst I understand how difficult life was pre acceptance of being gay must have been for those who were, in the UK that is no longer the issue.
Whilst you and others would say by my posting that, that ‘proves’ it is, otherwise there would be no need for my remarks, I think you are missing the point a little.
Almost all people do accept gays now, the Stonewall days for you are over. Why not just be content to be accepted into a community without the razamatazz, if you want to be accepted as normal citizens, who just feel differently about their preferences, then NOW there is no need to have to have a special occasion to mark the occasion.
I agree that many will enjoy a carnival type celebration and to me, it matters not if it happens or doesn’t, I just think it unnecessary, and perhaps a little of angst at the seemingly need to be part of the ‘Look at me’ society we now live in.
I truly hope you keep safe, happy and well, and never meant to offend but just like to be open and honest regarding my views which are now likely outdated, but still relevant to me as yours are to you, no disrespect intended.
Bill Jones, if you are inferring that to have a carnival of non Caucasians preforming on the Island would offend me, that is not so. Ryde carnival was lifted 200% when they did attend a few years back now.
Yet, the example of using non Caucasians is fitting here. For now they naturally have the same rights, are in the highest positions in Government, and have run the worlds most powerful nation they too have ‘nothing’ to prove. Yet, watch Live at the Apollo at it is almost a given that whenever a non Caucasian comedian is on, the jokes the digs are almost always race related. Try seeing how long a white comedian would last doing such now.
We have the Mojo’s, we have race laws and rules, but as everyone ‘is’ the same now, by making an issue of segregation by race, this then destroys the very point of us all being the ‘same’ and deserving the same attention and therefore treatment.
If one group of keeps ‘shouting’ about them being ‘different’ but demanding that they are not treated in such a way, as with the gay conversation with Henry then it doesn’t imo help the acceptance of such, but prolongs the acceptance and normality.
If a man wearing a dress appears at my door, I am expected to be not shocked, not bothered almost forced by society not to notice such now, and certainly I and anyone can see it doesn’t make any difference to me, but to me such will never be normal, and anything that isn’t normal to someone is not easy to accept and we can ask why should we have to pretend as we ‘all’ have rights even the non P.C dinosaurs.
As for Nigerians, I won’t hear a world against them. They are the most generous people on the planet. One wrote to me and said he will pay me 100,000 gbp, if I give him my bank account details as he wants to transfer cash to the UK, but can’t because of CV rules prevent him opening a bank account here. Who else would be that kind and generous? When I am allowed to go to my bank, can’t wait to see my account swelled.
Thanks for the polite reply, did send a long reply back but for some reason never appeared. Hope you stay well and safe, and not offence meant. My reply did explain but can’t spend another half an hour re typing. All the best to you and those you care about in these worrying times.
Seriously out of touch Knighton.
Possibly you should think of emigrating to Uganda or Nigeria, you and your attitude would be welcome with open arms. Thank heaven there is not carnival or parade of the likes of the Notting Hill Carnival. You would be perplexed and appalled I am sure.
I don’t go around Shouting about my sexial orientation, so why is it necessary for them to do so?
I don’t go around shouting about my sexial orientation so why should they?
Entirely agree with you
Can you imagine the outcry if hetrosexual people wants a “Straight Parade”? We would all be shouted down as homophobic! However, in reality, we would never need one as the majority of the population have no need to shout about their sexuality from the rooftops. Unfortunately we live in a world dominated by minority groups. Whatever happened to democracy? ….or free speech???
Great news, shame it’s being rammed down your thrown next year, what happened to Adam & Eve ?? Not Adam & Adam or eve & eve or eve who wants to be Adam,
As David Essex sang in ”Hold me close”………
To me, the existence of pride, whether the street parade, or party afterwards takes place or not, symbolises the right to be who you are, without fear of anything. Whilst it has its origins in the late 1960’s and was born out of the stonewall riots, we should view it for what it has become, rather than what it was. If we are arguing over the existence of a parade or party to celebrate who you are, then there is clearly more of a need for it, as the work of those in those riots has not been completed yet.
I see a day, when pride includes heterosexuals as well, so that it is a celebration of all and not one that is still seen as them and us, regarding LGBTQ and straight. When that day arrives, society as a whole, will be one step closer to full acceptance of each individuals right to self determination and freedom of expression, without fear of anything.
Being who you are is your right and that is worth celebrating every now and then, even if it is just to add a splash of colour to your day.