Plymouth Winter Pride – Sat 8th Feb 2014

ALL FAMILIES MATTER

Pride in Plymouth in partnership with Devonport Guildhall and other organisations presented Plymouth’s first Winter Pride Event that was held at Devonport Guildhall on Saturday 8th February 2014.

The event was opened by Oliver Colvile MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Oliver then joined us in the evening for the ball.

Plymouth Winter Pride was in two parts a FREE daytime community event with a focus on ‘Alternative Families’, Same Sex Parents, Parenting options, and Education.

In the Evening we presented a ticketed ball for over 18’s – supporting the 2014 LGBT History Month theme ‘MUSIC’. With the fabulous Amber Dextrous hosting, musical comedy performance by Topping and Butch. Guest also enjoyed drinks and nibbles in the Mayor’s Parlour with acoustic music provided by Louise Parker.

The Free Daytime Event ‘We are Family’

In the Main Hall there was information stalls that fitted the themes of ‘Alternative Families’, Same Sex Parents, Parenting and Education. The Plymouth LGBT Archive was on show and the display proved popular with many young people that missed the exhibition in 2012.

The open debate headed up by Shaun Dellenty in the Mayor’s Parlour was well attended and people contributed openly and honestly making the debate lively providing some very useful information. Shaun was joined by representatives from FFLAG, Plymouth Out Youth, Proud 2 Be Project, and people working in education. There was also a police diversity officer in the audience. Plymouth Diversity commented on Facebook ” What a great event. Loved it and got so much out of it. Thank you.”

After the debate we transformed the Mayor’s Parlour into a cinema screening Torch Song Trilogy – FREE

Art in the cells:

We utilised the space in the cells bellow to showcase artwork photographer Anna Whittall presented the results of a project titled ‘Confessions of an LGBT Life‘ which is a collaboration of members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community of Plymouth, coming together to express their thoughts and feelings using simplistic phrases on pieces of individually designed board.

From the photographs produced, the message portrayed is that we are all part of one family. Sometimes, the truth about people is hidden, whether it is because they may feel immoral about their sexual orientation or possibly how they lack the confidence to come out and be their real selves. The confessions written are used to bring reality to these secrets, convey humour in their declarations and communicate the acceptance they deserve.

Artist and photographer Cornelius van Rijckevorsel created a stunning display of sketches and photos of the male body and other artwork. Cornelius was born in the Netherlands in 1954 and graduated from the Nice (Fr.) School of Art in 1980, obtaining the DNSEP (Diplôme National Supérieur d’Expression Plastique). He studied at the Aix en Provence School of Art from 1974-1980.

Despite what can only be described as appalling weather the event attracted a good footfall of interested people. The event enabled the stall holders to network and engage with many new people. Pride in Plymouth successfully brought people together to celebrate, discuss and promote the diversity that exist within our communities.

A selection photos from the daytime event by photographer Kevin Kelland 

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