25/07/2022
BBC Radio Bristol, ITV West and Independent newspaper B247 were amongst those media giving major coverage at the weekend to Bristol Pride, as the event returned after a three year absence enforced by the Covid19 pandemic. “ShoutOut”’s team of broadcasters provided coverage for a simulcast betwee three treasured community broadcasting stations – B.C.F.M., Ujima Radio and Bath Radio. Special thanks must go also go to B.C.F.M.’s Tristan B, local radio engineering expert Steve Satan, Miranda Rae and her team at Ujima Radio, and Olly from Bath Community Radio. Many guests including Peter Tatchell, Kelly Wilde and Katrina from Katrina and the Waves spoke to us, and their interviews will be edited and rebroadcast in future editions of “ShoutOut”. Tens of thousands of people marched through Bristol and around forty thousand are estimated to have attended the festival. The march was more political than in previous years, a reflection of the frustration many people feel at a government which they feel is set against minority groups of all sorts. It was not without some controversy as a group of more left wing and anarchist young activists held a sideline action proclaiming “There is no Pride in Profit” and criticising the corporate sponsorship of the main festival. This prompted much debate amongst people attending Pride. Some expressed sympathy with the radical position but felt that it could have been expressed in a different way. Several Christian fundamentalists distributed reactionary anti-gay literature amongst the crowds before showing cowardice and disappearing into shopping public. However, they were ignored by marchers and supporters. Their numbers were also dwarfed by a welcome contingent of progressive Christians who marched in solidarity with Pride. The festival on Bristol’s beautiful Downs was bathed in hot summer sunshine, and the water stations were much needed as once again Pride was blessed with beautiful weather. There were families and our roving reporters were touched to see elderly people, disabled people, parents with young transgender children and gay youth all enjoying the music and entertainment. Pride was once again, an enormous shot in the arm and Bristol’s organisers can be pleased that, once again, the city has shown itself to have one of the best free Prides in the UK.
