Manchester Pride Goes Bust – Owes Thousands To Performers and Freelancers
Rising costs and declining ticket sales made the popular UK celebration no longer “financially viable” for organizers.
Featured Image: via Getty Images (Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)
In a statement made with “enormous sadness,” the Board of Trustees of Manchester Pride announced yesterday that “a combination of rising costs,” “declining ticket sales and an ambitious refresh of the format” has led to the organization “no longer being financially viable.”
“We had hoped to be able to find a way to continue, and, most importantly, to support our artists, contractors and partners,” the statement read. “We are sincerely sorry for those who will now lose out financially from the current situation… We would like to sincerely offer our thanks to all of our staff, volunteers and supporters who have contributed so much to Manchester Pride over the years.”
The news is devastating to those left out of pocket, as well as the larger community that has enjoyed the festival for the past two decades. Manchester Pride is one of the largest Pride events in Europe and in the UK it is surpassed in crowd size only by London and Brighton.
Several performers told UK outlets that they had received no fee and no communication. RuPaul’s Drag Race UK alum, Saki Yew, told BBC, “As performers, we’re used to waiting for money…a lot of performers are starting to give up hope of being paid.” Another alum, Zahirah Zapanta, hasn’t seen a pence since the Pride glitter settled two months ago.
The Charity Commission, a regulator, has now launched an investigation into Manchester Pride’s finances. Equity, the performing arts trade union, which had been contacted by performers seeking legal advice, issued a statement calling the news hugely concerning.
“Yesterday afternoon, Equity held a meeting for affected performers and creatives – some of whom are out of pocket by thousands. We heard upsetting stories from people unsure if they can make payments for rent, medical prescriptions and other essentials. Treating working professionals like this is unacceptable,” the union wrote.
Trans Pride Manchester called out the “lack of transparency and accountability” on Facebook. “For too long, Pride in our city drifted away from its grassroots history, becoming a brand rather than a movement. Manchester’s LGBTQIA+ community deserves better. We deserve Pride that is accountable to the people who built it, not to sponsors, not to shareholders, but to us… “
Image via Facebook, Trans Pride Manchester
On a hopeful note, Manchester City Council, which reportedly made an effort to keep Pride going this year, plans to lend robust support to ensure that Manchester Pride weekend takes place next August.
“The council will play a full and active role in bringing together the LGBTQ community to help shape how the city moves forward to ensure a bright and thriving future for Manchester Pride,” Bev Grant, Council Leader, said.
