Medway Pride CIC, MGSD Centre, 331 High Street Rochester Medway ME1 1DA info@medwaypride.uk 01634 408668

Posted: 02/06/2025 by Hilary Cooke Leave a Comment

University Of Greewich

Thank you to University Of Greenwich for their continued support for Medwy Pride 25

A forward-thinking university in a historic setting. Discover more about student life and the study experience at Medway Campus in Chatham Maritime, Kent.

Where you choose to study is a really important decision, and we are delighted to welcome you to our historic Medway Campus in Chatham, Kent.

Medway Campus has a rich naval history. Its red-brick buildings were previously a Royal Navy base. Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory was built at Chatham’s Historic Dockyard.

The campus also has amazing cafés and bars, including those in Pembroke and Pilkington Buildings. An attractive piazza-style area with outdoor seating is ideal for events. There are also plenty of green spaces, with a tennis court.

We offer our students a supportive environment for their studies and the help they need to secure graduate jobs in London, the South East and further afield.

Visit our website

Posted: 02/06/2025 by Hilary Cooke Leave a Comment

Genesis Recycling Group

Medway Pride 25 welcome GRG as a sponsor for hadling our waste management.

We’re not just a recycling company; we’re a group of eco-warriors, waste wizards, and bin enthusiasts, committed to giving your rubbish a second chance at life.

Our Services

We whip up waste management concoctions custom-brewed for your business’s unique palate. With years (okay, decades) of experience under our belts, our team is on a relentless quest to recycle, reuse and reduce.

Grow Your Vision

“Don’t let your waste wallow in a pit of despair! Whether you’re a sprightly small business looking to tiptoe on a tinier carbon footprint, or a grand corporation with a cavern of ‘maybe-it’s-treasure-maybe-it’s-trash’ items, we’re here with a helping hand and a cheeky wink. Join us on this eco-adventure, and let’s sprinkle the world with a bit of cleanliness, a dash of green, and a whole lot of giggles. Click ‘Get a Quote’ and let us tickle your eco-fancy today!”

Last Updated: 02/06/2025 by Hilary Cooke Leave a Comment

SILVERHAND ESTATE

Have joined as a Sponsor of Medway Pride 25.

They produce wonderful sparkling wine from grapes grown in Medway.

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Kent countryside, Silverhand Estate is a hidden gem that offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich heritage. It is defining the new rules of English sparkling wine, having established the largest single organic vineyard in the UK, covering an area of more than 900 acres.

Located in Luddesdown, Kent – Silverhand takes its name from King Ludd – a first century King of the Trinovantes, founder of London and God of Protection and Prosperity. Losing his hand in battle, he was stripped of his rank and position until a Silverhand was made for him… 

More recently we have established the largest single vineyard in the UK, spanning the beautiful countryside in the heart of Kent.

Check their website

Posted: 22/05/2025 by Hilary Cooke Leave a Comment

PRIDE IS A PROTEST & A CELEBRATION

PRIDE IS A PROTEST It is at times like we have today, in 2025, when we realise why Pride events are still needed. The UK has fallen to its lowest ranking on the ILGA-Europe’s ranking of the best and worst places to be LGBTQ+ in Europe – slipping from the number 1 position held a decade ago, to 22nd in 2025. The recent UK Supreme Court judgement on the Equality Act 2010 vs Gender Recognition Act 2004’s determination of biological vs legal sex was quickly followed by the UK’s Equality & Human Rights Commission publishing interim non-statutory guidance. These have been largely met with acceptance from the UK government and political parties, without much sign of push back or statements to support the equality rights of trans and intersex people.
Pride is a community This has led to calls for politicians to stand up and be counted as allies of the LGBTQIA+ community and to demonstrate they stand against the attacks on Trans and intersex people’s human rights. This has also led to calls for UK Pride event organisers and organisations to ban political parties from attending Pride events. Medway Pride CIC have always taken the approach that we are building connections across communities, connections with businesses and organisations, connections with Police, Fire & Rescue & NHS Services, and connections with local / national government representatives. This, of course, includes political parties who work to promote equality of access to services and work; safety from hate crime, homophobia and transphobia; and to protect individual’s human and civil rights.
Pride is a conversation To achieve the aims of those who fought for LGBTQIA+ civil and human rights, we need to talk to those with power and influence to Make Change Happen. We can all stand outside and demonstrate, shout and protest, and this has its rightful place in showing the government and those in power that they need to act to find a resolution to the problems causing concern. But to find that resolution, we need to be in the same space, the same room, talking to each other face-to-face. This is where I believe organisations like Medway Pride CIC have a duty to host these spaces, where these conversations can be had with those allies who can influence those in power to see the harm being caused by division and hate against minority communities like the trans and non-binary community.
Pride is a celebration It is for these reasons that Medway Pride CIC will continue to invite allies from all communities, so we can continue to build bridges and have influence in places we need those conversations to be had, and those concerns listened to. Pride is a Protest, a Celebration, and a Positive Force for LGBTQIA+ Human and Civil Rights. LET US BUILD BRIDGES, HAVE THE CONVERSATION, AND MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN. Hilary Cooke Chair Medway Pride CIC

Posted: 18/04/2025 by Hilary Cooke Leave a Comment

Medway Pride Fundraising

Medway Pride Fund

It might be said that an attack on any part of the LGBTQIA+ community is an attack on the community as a whole.

Following the Supreme Court ruling on Sex Discrimination Equality 2010 Act we must continue to look out for each other, and right now, take extra care of our trans and non-binary siblings.

We want everyone to have the confidence and the strength and the right to live on their own terms.

Every year, Medway Pride allows people of all stripes to celebrate their identity in a supportive, safe, joyful environment

But We could do more,

We’d like to organise

  • More inspiring events
  • More public displays of solidarity
  • More emotional support
  • More sound advice
  • More advocacy

        But it’s expensive

Will you help us deflate the hate by making a one-off or monthly donation to the

Medway Pride Fund?

Your donation will help us inspire, support and nurture the LGBTQIA+ community in Medway at this uncertain time…

And keep Pride Free

Posted: 16/04/2025 by Hilary Cooke Leave a Comment

Medway Pride Response to Supreme Court Ruling on Equality 2010 Act definition of sex

Medway Pride CIC are very disappointed with the outcome of the UK Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on the legal definition of sex. We support the Trans community and the fight for civil rights for access to public services and healthcare free from discrimination. Today Wednesday (16 April), the UK Supreme Court decided the legal definition of a woman was based on biology, with Judge Lord Hodge stating: “The unanimous decision of this court is that the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex. But we counsel against reading this judgement as a triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another, it is not,” noting that trans people still have protection under the law. The Judge advised they are not writing or creating policy which falls to the UK Government.
We know this judgement will cause uncertainty for members of the Trans community and we are concerned that this decision may be misinterpreted by organisations reacting to this judgement. Please remember: The judgement has not changed the Equality Act 2010 Gender Reassignment protections against discrimination or the Statutory Guidance on those protections. The Equality Act already allows for single-sex services and spaces, but only if they are a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. Exclusion from single-sex spaces based solely on gender reassignment may not be lawful. Neither has the judgement changed the 2004 Gender Reassignment Acts purpose of legal sex recognition. It has though caused an issue for the purpose of the 2004GRA as the judgement stated that within the EQ2010 Act Legal Sex dose not alter Biological Sex for the purpose of discrimination.
Questions arising from the judgment The term Biological Woman, Man or Sex are not used in the EQ2010 act. The judgement states it means a binary definition of Sex, Man or Woman. This leaves a question how you define the term Biological Sex? How does this affect Intersex people? A definition of Biological Sex needs to encompass all variants of Human sex development. We will be monitoring how things develop over the coming months and will be working to improve awareness of issues and change to support Trans people due to the challenges this judgement may cause. Medway Pride CIC.

Posted: 13/04/2025 by Hilary Cooke Leave a Comment

Save The Date Medway Pride 25

Keep an eye here or on our social media for further updates

Posted: 05/04/2025 by Hilary Cooke 10 Comments

Medway Pride 25

We are currently planning the Medway Pride 2025 events. For those who wish to attend the event and or the pride parade we shall be updating this website and our social media when we are able to release tickets. We shall also be opening links for those who wish to host a stall/stand at the Rochester Castle event during May.

Posted: 07/08/2024 by Hilary Cooke Leave a Comment

Veolia

Veolia, they just take the rubbish away after Pride right? Hell no, they’re SO much more than that. They’re at the cutting edge of ecological transformation, fighting climate change by reducing their own GHG emissions, developing what they call a ‘circular economy’ and helping customers achieve energy savings. They use renewable energy, electric vehicles, and convert their own biogas. Wow. Wouldn’t it be great if all utility companies were as concerned about not polluting the environment?? Keep up the good work friends, and thanks a thousand times for all the support you give us!

Last Updated: 02/06/2025 by Hilary Cooke Leave a Comment

TESCO

You might not know this, but Tesco actively supports its LGBTQ+ employees in many ways. The LGBTQ+ at Tesco Network, established in 2005, is one of the largest LGBTQ+ colleague networks in Europe. Its mission is to empower LGBTQ+ colleagues, creating an environment where they can confidently be themselves at work and excel. Because of this (and a host of other reasons) Tesco has been recognized as one of Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers, achieving Gold status. They actively support LGBTQ+ staff and customers, making positive strides in inclusion. As one of our newest sponsors, we say welcome to the Medway Pride family, props for everything you do for the community and THANK YOU for supporting us!

Medway Pride 2025 Fund Open
Medway Pride Lottery Fund

Support Medway Pride 2025 Fund Play the Medway Pride Lottery with a chance to win £25,000

Play the Medway Pride Lottery

About This Site

This website is managed by Medway Pride CIC to promote Medway Pride events and services for the LGBTQI

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Address
Medway Pride CIC
MGSD Centre
331 High Street
Rochester
ME1 1DA

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