A New Year Message

Message From Medway Pride CIC

What a year 2021 has been! It has had its highs and lows, positives and negatives depending on your personal circumstances and your community attachment.

A year ago, we had entered a 2^nd Covid lockdown which put a hold on events as we entered the new year. Medway Pride & Medway Gender & Sexual Diversity Centre were planning the annual LGBTQIA+ History Month Art Exhibition with Nucleus Arts. The event had to be cancelled due to the restrictions place on the gallery which prevented it from opening. This was a negative that had a very positive outcome as we looked for an alternative way to mark our history.

The positive outcome was the launch of Medway Pride Radio (MPR) a worldwide internet community radio station you can listen at www.mpradio.co.uk or on Alexa. MPR is a project that we were looking to develop after the successful virtual pride event GMVirtualpride2020.

The radio station was created by Shea Coffey, Hilary Cooke & H as a way of giving the LGBTQIA+ community in Medway a voice as well as supporting local voluntary and creative organisations. Shea came from another national radio station to manage MPR and develop its output and services. We began broadcasting on 1^st February with the help of volunteer DJs & Presenters from Medway and across the UK. MPR quickly grew and as we past the end of February 2020 we expanded the station output to 24hrs a day 7 days a week with the support of new volunteers producing their own shows.

Building on the success of the joint community project between Medway Pride & Gravesham Pride that was a weeklong virtual pride 2020, Medway Pride Community Organisation were busy planning Medway Pride 2021. We needed to formalise the community group as a registered body and Medway Pride CIC was formed in May 2021 by Hilary Cooke Chair or Directors and Shea Coffey and H (Chair of Gravesham Pride) as the other Directors. Together with support from Medway Council, and other sponsors, and with the support of local, national, and international artists we created and delivered Medway Pride 2021. The event was hailed as a success by those who took part and attended, with supporters and sponsors happy to see the results of what a fantastic event for the LGBTQIA+ community. Medway Pride delivered a space for people and families to celebrate together and be themselves.

But with the highs above we also must recognise the lows affecting the community, our condolences go out to those who lost family members and friends during the last year. We are working to support organisations that support the community and local voluntary organisations in Medway.

We have been following the disappointing inaction from the UK Government on updating the Gender Recognition act and not facilitating delivery of transgender healthcare which has left people with waits of 4+ years for a first appointment.

We have been working to improve services for the LGBTQIA+ community, especially those for the Transgender community. We are working with Healthwatch NHS Trusts and others to help deliver improved access to local health services across all providers including GP services, Sexual Health Services, Clinical Services and Mental Health and Wellbeing services.

We are looking at ways to improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ people, by working to reduce Hate Crime and Cyber Hate Crime. Working with Kent Police to encourage reporting of crime with initiatives like the www.hatecrime.app

We would like to encourage community members and allies to use their social media to show support for members of the Trans & Non-binary community by sharing positive social media messages, and not amplify the negative posts.

Together the LGBTQIA+ community and our Allies will win, as we did with LGB civil rights.

We are now looking forward to 2022 with the 1^st birthday for Medway Pride Radio, LGBTQIA+ History Month Arts Exhibition, and Medway Pride 2022.

You can be involved in the LGBTQIA+ History Month Exhibition by emailing info@medwaypride.co.uk with details of your exhibit.

As we develop the plan for Medway Pride 2022 we will keep you informed on progress.

Wishing you all a Happy and Prosperous 2022

Hilary Cooke – Chair Medway Pride

On behalf of Medway Pride CIC

World Aids Day

This World AIDS Day, we remember those we’ve lost, join in solidarity with people living with HIV today, and transform the future for everyone by ending HIV transmissions.

This year, we’re highlighting the importance of HIV testing. Testing is key to ending HIV transmissions. The sooner people know their status, the quicker they can get on to treatment. Effective treatment helps people to live long, healthy lives with HIV and means they can’t pass the virus on.

Your help means we can be there to give urgent support to those at risk through our helpline THT Direct so people know how and where to test. Your help also means Terance Higgins Trust is there if someone gets a positive diagnosis at home, so they don’t have to face it alone.

Every pound you raise moves us closer to ending new cases of HIV by 2030.

https://www.tht.org.uk/take-action/world-aids-day

Transgender Awareness Week & Transgender Day Of Rememberance

Transgender Awareness Week, observed November 13th to November 19th, is a one-week celebration leading up to the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which memorializes victims of transphobic violence. It is a time when organisations and the government can reflect on how they are treating members if the Trans & Non-binary community. For the community to give advice to those seeking to help improver the lives of trans & non-binary people and remove barriers to accesing services and the workplace.

The important issues for the Trans and non-binary community are safety (Reduction in Hate Crime and Discrimination).

Access to Trans specific healthcare to reduce the gender incingruence (A Sexual Health Condition), the maximum waiting time to see a consultant on the NHS is 18week, The waiting time to see a Trans health specialist within the NHS is 4 years and climbing. The Healthcare pathway is broken and needs to be revised.

Transgender Day Of Rememberance

Every year on Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR), held on the 20th of November, we remember and honour the lives of trans and gender-diverse people reported murdered in the last 12 months. 

Spin Out For Wizzy

Medway Pride – The Save Wizzy fundraiser

A one-off exclusive performance from the one and only Elberace! To raise funds to nurse Wizzy, the Pride car, back to health

During the first ever Medway Pride, we blew up H’s car, Wizzy. Wizzy and H had been very busy running about completing errands for everyone else at their own cost. The bill to repair Wizzy is substantial and as H and Wizzy were helping everyone else, we want to help foot the bill.

Elberace and other acts, have waived their fees and Ricky has kindly donated use of Coyotes for free, this means we are able to put on a night like Medway will never see again!

Come along and join us on 25 September for jokes, japes and jumpsuits!

The ticket price is just £8, with an added fee from Eventbrite of 92p. The entire £8 ticket price will go towards saving Wizzy! Anything over this willGet Your Tickets Here

Medway Council & Medway Pride 2021

Medway residents will come together to celebrate diversity and equality at Medway’s first LGBTQIA+ Pride event on Saturday, 21 August.

Medway Council is supporting Medway Pride, which is being organised in partnership with volunteer group Medway Pride CIC, supported by Countryside, Hyde Housing and the Rochester Riverside Community Fund and other sponsors.

Medway Pride Festival #MPFestival2021 will be a colourful, fun-filled event for all the family to enjoy and will celebrate diversity and support equality for all of Medway’s communities.

The festival is part of an eight-day programme across north Kent which begins with Gravesham Pride on Saturday, 14 August.

Residents of all ages were able to sign up for free tickets to Medway Pride, which will be held at Rochester Riverside Walk in Doust Way from 11am to 8pm on Saturday, 21 August. All tickets have now been booked, however, residents are able to sign up to a waiting list, in case any tickets are returned.

There will be a number of performances, including ABBA Chique, Chai Latte, River Medway, Kelly Wilde and Sami Brooks.

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said: “I am very pleased, and proud, that we are supporting Medway’s very first Pride event which will celebrate our diverse community. We take our role in supporting and protecting Medway’s LGBTQIA+ community very seriously and we work with the community to provide advice, guidance and support. Medway Pride is just one of the festivals in our fantastic family-friendly summer events programme which celebrates Medway’s culture and communities, past, present and future as the area bids to become UK City of Culture 2025. Becoming City of Culture would bring significant benefits to Medway, including more opportunities for young people, and will help showcase all we have to offer.” 

Hilary Cooke, Chair of Medway Pride CIC, said: “We are pleased to advise that free tickets for Medway Pride 2021 were taken up as soon as they were released, with very few left for the day, which includes eight hours of entertainment and opportunities to meet some of the voluntary support groups working in Medway. These include Medway Voluntary Action who support a network of charities and support groups working in Medway, as well as representatives from the support services including the NHS, Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue service. LGBTQIA+ support organisations such as Medway Gender & Sexual Diversity Centre, METRO Charity, Stand Out Group and Porchlight will be on hand to offer advice and support at the event.

“There will also be opportunities to be creative with INTRA Arts and get artistic in our chalk gallery. INTRA Arts is currently hosting an LGBTQIA+ history in Medway display until Friday, 20 August, and there are opportunities to enjoy LGBTQ+ history walks on Thursday, 19 and Friday, 20 August with Rob Flood and to sail on the Edith May Sailing Barge during the Pride event. You need a ticket to enter the event and to find out more, visit medwaypride.co.uk. We look forward celebrating Medway Pride with you.”

Medway Council supports the LGBTQIA+ community in a number of ways. The council’s Youth Service has teamed up with Porchlight to offer young people aged 13 to 18, who are LGBTQIA+, or think they may be, safe spaces to meet new people and share their experiences and feelings. The Be You sessions also offer information, advice and support to Medway’s young people. Sessions are held at Youth Centres across Medway, for more information, and to sign up, email beyou@porchlight.org.uk or visit thebeyouproject.co.uk.

Cllr Josie Iles, Medway Council’s Lead Member for Children’s Services, added: “I am pleased that we are working with Porchlight to offer LGBTQIA+ young people, and those who may be questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity, safe places across Medway where they can meet to socialise, have fun and offer support to one another. I would encourage young people to access the support available. Both Medway Pride, and the Be You sessions, supports our aspiration to become a Child-Friendly City, putting children and young people at the heart of everything we do.”

Medway’s Libraries are also supporting Medway Pride. Rochester Community Hub currently has a range of books on display which explore LGBTQIA+ themes or are written by LGBTQIA+ authors to celebrate Pride. The titles are also being promoted in the library catalogue. To find out more about Medway’s libraries, visit: medway.gov.uk/libraries.  

The council is also proud to have an internal LGBTQI+ workers forum which aims to promote awareness and opportunities for LGBTQI+ employees within the council and promote acceptance and awareness of LGBTQI+ issues. 

The safety of Medway’s residents, visitors and staff is paramount to Medway Council and all of its events adhere to the current government advice. As Medway Pride is an outside event, wearing face coverings is optional, however, visitors are asked to respect those who may wear them and hand sanitising stations will be available.

For more information about Medway Pride visit: medway.gov.uk/medwaypride

To find out how you can book tickets, visit: medwaypride.co.uk

Medway Pride 2021 Adults Only History Walk – Carry On Up the Khyber

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/robert-flood/t-kjongr

Adults Only History Walks as part of Medway Pride 2021 – Thursday 19th and Friday 20th August at 7.30pm

Carry On Up the Khyber – the Oldest Profession and LGBT Ta`les of the Medway Towns.

Come along and learn how the Medway Towns were almost entirely responsible for the 1864 Contagious Diseases Act of Parliament, how an area of Rochester and Chatham with historic links to local sex workers,  became home to not just the LGBTQ+ communities of the Medway Towns but of the whole of Kent and how a pub at the centre of these communities supported the Medway Gay Switchboard and became a safe haven for LGBTQ+ people.

These history walks will take about 90 minutes and will leave from the Victoria Street junction with the Terrace at ME1 1XJ in Rochester. Arrive for 7.30pm start. Each walk is limited to 20 people.

These walks are supported by Medway Council and funded by Historic England and the High Street Heritage Action Zone Project.

Event Details

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/robert-flood/t-kjongr

Starts at 7:30PM

Location

Carry On Up the Khyber, Rochester, ME1 1XJ

Pride River Trips from Sun Pier

Join Medway Pride on the Fringe event hosted by Tiller & Wheel on the Edith May Sailing Barge.

The trip is free, a £10 booking fee will be refunded after the trip

An 80 minute sail, departing from Sun Pier, Chatham

Our Medway River Trip is the perfect way to get an introduction to barge sailing, whilst taking in the historic sights of Rochester Medway Pride and the upriver Medway between the Dockyard and Sun Pier.

This stretch of the river oozes with history and there will be plenty to see as the barge sails between Rochester Bridge and Chatham Historic Dockyard and the historic vessels contained within this vast museum.

A Thames sailing barge is the ideal platform to experience these sights from, with plenty of deck space and a comfortable hold to explore. There used to be thousands of barges on this stretch of river and now there is only one.

You will be invited to lend a hand setting the sails and are welcome to take a turn at the wheel – a rare chance to handle a large vessel under sail.

Once aboard, refreshments are available to purchase, including hot and cold drinks, a selection of coastal beers, Kent wines and local spirits.

The experience lasts around 80 minutes, with a little variation depending on conditions on the day.

Before booking, please read the General Information page.

If you have any questions, please contact us

Free Sailing Experiences – Booking guidance

• Please only book one experience at a time. Once you have completed your sail, you are welcome to book another date.
• We hope that you choose to support us by becoming a Patron, but there is no obligation.
• A bar selling refreshments will be available on the day.
• We request a £10 deposit per space to confirm your attendance, this is refunded after the trip. If you fail to notify that you no longer wish to sail aboard having booked a place, we will retain the deposit (cancellation must be at least 48 hours before the date of sail).
• You are invited aboard as a guest of Tiller & Wheel – we reserve the right to cancel bookings for any reason.

The Ship Inn Medway Pride Fundraiser

A weekend of Fun at The Ship Inn Old Rochester High Street, INTRA Rochester.

Unfortunately this event has been canceled until 12th August, though to the 15th August

Come along to the Ship and have some fun while raising funds for Medway Pride 2021.

Medway Pride have not been able to hold any fundraiser due to COVID restrictions so the SHIP INN with support from their entertainment providers have got together to produce 4 fun nights to raise funds and support Medway Pride 2021.

Thank you Nathan, Yvonne, Darren, DJ TommyC, Gavin and all at the Ship Inn for your support and to all those who will attend to help raise funds for Medway Pride

Hilary – Medway Pride CIC

Medway Pride 2021 Festival News

SAVE THE DATE SATURDAY 21st AUGUST

Medway Pride 2021 Festival

Update: The first two batches of Medway Pride FREE tickets have sold out! The last batch of tickets will be released early August, Keep an eye on this website and social networks for news updates.

Medway Pride festival #MPFestival2021 on Saturday 21st August is going to be a colourful fun filled event, for all the family to celebrate diversity and support equality, for all communities of Medway. It is in essence a community cohesion event inviting everyone to come together, to breaking down barriers and develop understanding and acceptance of each other. 

This year’s festival at Doust Way will be a family friendly event that will include community stalls from the voluntary community sector to advise about the work they provide. We will also have community liaison team from Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue Services along with staff from Kent and Medway Community Health Care NHS Trust to support the community and discuss the services they provide.

The entertainment will commence from 12pm with opening speeches from local dignitaries, and supporters, with Medway Pride Radio Roadshow, and ABBA Chique, Chai Latte, Gary Lucas, Elberace (Gay Elvis), River Medway, Amrick Channa, Dr Beverley Ballcrusher, Kelly Wilde & Sami Brooks with the event closing a 8pm.

In addition to the Medway Pride one day festival on 21st we are working with Gravesham Pride CIC and Partners to make sure we have a safe 8 day festival that commences with Gravesham Pride on Saturday 14th August 2021 followed by a week of events involving local partners and ends with Medway Pride on Saturday 21st August 2021.

We are planning stage based entertainment from 12.00pm to 8.00pm which will include Local, National & International performances alongside a mixture of community stalls from organisations providing services in Medway and business stalls selling food, drinks and memorabilia which would be situated around the festival ground

Medway Pride CIC is not just about the main Pride event, it is also an organisation which engages with the
community all year round.. With this in mind, we had planned to begin Medway Pride 2021 in February
with an Art exhibition during LGBT History Month with the support of Nucleus Arts however, this had
to be postponed to next year due to the ongoing pandemic restrictions.

Undeterred, we decided to replace this opening event with the launch of Medway Pride Radio (www.medwayprideradio.co.uk) with the support of the INTRA Cultural Consortium as a community asset to promote community cultural activities and all community voluntary support service across Medway. Medway Pride Radio is staffed entirely by volunteers who provide a mixture of music and light entertainment as well as thought provoking and educational material.

So ‘Dont’t Hide Your Pride’

because ‘This is a Festival for Everyone to Enjoy’

for you to ‘Be YOU and Make Some Friends’.

Community groups who wish to take a stall and businesses who wish to rent stalls can use our contacts form. we are planning to have food outlets, bars,drinks, sweets, kids entertainment etc.

To deliver this fantastic celebration of diversity we need to raise funding to cover the costs of #MPFestival20201, Medway Pride festival. It’s not just the festival we are raising funds for as our goals for Medway Pride CIC are to support and improve community services for the LGBTQI+ community.

 We shall be posting further information in the comming weeks and months advising how you can be involved as individual volunteers, you can register an interest via our contact form .

Fun for All

#MPFestival2021 intends to provide entertainment for all the family so everyone from every community can be involved. We will be encouraging local businesses and venues to join the fun, in the run up to, and during the festival. We will also look to colaborate with other intrested parties to provide other events in the run up to the festival.

Any businesses, venues, or other parties who wish to discuss fundraising events can contact us via our contact form. We can help promote your business via our website and social media pages.

Tickets for Medway Pride

This is a free event with tickets being released event bright in early July. Keep an eye on this website and our social media pages. We need people to register for tickets with their contact details to allow for Track and Trace of attendies should we need to contact you.

No entrey will be allowed to the event without a ticket. Full details will be available when you apply.

Get Involved

How can we help

Medway Pride #MPFestival2021 will need your help and support to deliver the festival. We will be posting further information  advising how and when you can help us.

We are looking to work with local businesses community groups and other organisations, to raise awarness of LGBTQI+ issues and raise funds to support Medway PrideCIC. Their involvement through participation in the Medway Pride event by providing stalls, entertainiment, and through sponsorship donations to our festival fund.

Individuals can support us through sponsorship donations to our festival fund and by volunteering to help with organising the parade and events.

Medway Pride Public Meeting

All are welcome to attendTime: Jun 29, 2021 07:00 PM London

The meeting has been held, you can contact Medway Pride via email info@medwaypride.co.uk or by using our contact form

Medway Pride 2021 Festival
Medway Pride festival #MPFestival2021 on Saturday 21st August is going to be a colourful fun filled event, for all the family to celebrate diversity and support equality, for all communities of Medway. It is in essence a community cohesion event inviting everyone to come together, to breaking down barriers and develop understanding and acceptance of each other.
This year’s festival at Doust Way will be a family friendly event that will include community stalls from the voluntary community sector to advise about the work they provide. We will also have community liaison team from Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue Services along with staff from Kent and Medway Community Health Care NHS Trust to support the community and discuss the services they provide.
The entertainment will commence from 12pm with opening speeches from local dignitaries, and supporters, with Medway Pride Radio Roadshow, and ABBA Chique, Chai Latte, Gary Lucas, Elberace (Gay Elvis), River Medway, Amrick Channa, Dr Beverley Ballcrusher, Kelly Wilde & Sami Brooks with the event closing a 8pm.
In addition to the Medway Pride one day festival on 21st we are working with Gravesham Pride CIC and Partners to make sure we have a safe 8 day festival that commences with Gravesham Pride on Saturday 14th August 2021 followed by a week of events involving local partners and ends with Medway Pride on Saturday 21st August 2021.
The event is free to attend but we will be issuing tickets to control the numbers attending which will be capped at 1500. It is a family event so every part of the community is invited to attend. We have been approached by voluntary organisations who support young carers and those that support young people from various support groups. We will of course have people of all ages attending the event you you are also welcome to attend.
You can keep up to date via our website www.medwaypride.co.uk or you can listen to Medway Pride Radio at www.medwayprideradio.co.uk

LICENSING ACT 2003:

Application for Premises Licence

Take notice that Medway Pride CIC has made an application in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 for a new premises licence for Land on Doust Way, Rochester, Kent. ME1

The application is for : Entertainment, Live Music, Recorded Music & Dance

This application has been made to Medway and Gravesham Council Licensing Partnership, Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend, Kent DA12 1AU.  Any person wishing to view details of an application may contact the Licensing Partnership on 01474 337434.  Full details of the application and plans can be viewed at Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend, Kent DA12 1AU during normal hours of business

Any interested party who wishes to make a representation about this application should do so in writing to Medway and Gravesham Council Licensing Partnership Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend Kent DA12 1AU, or by sending an email to licensing@gravesham.gov.uk. no later than 07 July 2021

It is an offence, under section 158 of the licensing act 2003, to make a false Statement in or in connection with this application. Those who make a false Statement may be liable on summary conviction to a fine of any amount.