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Tag: Primark

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  • COMMENT | Pride Organiser on Primark’s Pride range: I do worry about the impact

    A partnership between an international clothing brand and a national LGBT charity could have a negative impact on local pride organisations.

    Clothing retailer Primark recently announced that it would be selling a new Pride range in selected stores throughout the UK with 20 percent of profits on certain items being donated to LGBT charity Stonewall.

    However, the decision has been met with criticism, including from Newcastle Pride organisers – who last week announced that they had to scale down aspects of their event due to lack of funding.

    “It is great that a big company like Primark wants to lend their support to the LGBT community but I do worry about the impact this will have on the community led organisations like ourselves up and down the country,” said Stephen Willis, festival director of Newcastle Pride.

    “Stonewall do an amazing job but they are a national organisation with a large presence, whereas local Prides are more often than not organised by volunteers with a lack of sponsorship and funding.

    “Many Prides rely on generating income from selling merchandise but if Primark are selling their own range at discount prices, this will direct much needed funds away from actual Prides, which are struggling as it is.”

    As part of the partnership, Primark have announced an array of rainbow branded products – including t-shirts featuring the names of cities the range will be sold in.

    “Considering Primark is tailoring the range to the cities they are selling them in, their support may have been better allocated by partnering with local organisations so they could help to sustain future Prides,” said Stephen.

    “Although the community has come a long way, LGBT people are still suffering from homophobia and hate crime and that is why hosting Pride parades remains important – to reinforce the message of equality and offer people a space they feel safe and accepted.”

    This year’s Newcastle Pride takes place 20 – 22 July, under a big top tent at Nuns Moor Park, with a huge musical line-up, including headlining performances from Alexandra Burke and S Club.

    As well as the acts on the main stage, on site will be a range of market stalls, a fun fair, the family and youth zone, the Steve Paske health zone, eight food stalls and five bars.

    The event is free to attend, but those wanting to support Newcastle Pride can do so by making a donation, buying merchandise or upgrading to Golden Circle or VIP tickets at www.northern-pride.com.

    For more information, visit Northern Pride’s website or search northernprideuk on Facebook or Twitter.

     

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  • Primark and Stonewall slammed for Pride merch – that doesn’t support prides

    Today Primark announced it was releasing a brand new range of pride merch – with just 20 percent of the sale price going to Stonewall, but not to prides.

    Primark has teamed up with Stonewall to sell pride merch, with famous pride cities, like Madrid, Brighton and London emblazoned across the products – but none of the profits are supporting prides.

    The UK Pride Organisers Network has called out the scheme as disappointing for not supporting local prides, some of which are struggling financially.

     

    Stonewall, while attending many prides across the UK – except Pride In London this year, does not organise any pride events in the UK.

    In a statement the UK Pride Organisers Network said,

    “After being alerted by some members, the Network was disappointed to see that proceeds from Primark’s range of ‘Pride’ clothing and accessories, launched in time for Pride season, is not being donated to the Pride organisations that organise these events. Instead, it is being given to Stonewall who, whilst they attend some Prides, do not organise the events themselves.

    “All Pride organisations are voluntary bodies that struggle every year to raise the funds necessary to hold these major public events, most of which are free to attend. In the last week, in one city where Primark will be selling these products, the Pride has announced it is scaling back its event due to a lack of funds. This is a daily reality for most Pride organisers.

    “Stonewall have been critical of Prides in the past, and this is an insult to those Prides who sell their own merchandise to raise funds for their events. We urge everyone who wants to support their local Pride to do so by purchasing merchandise from them, or from stallholders at the event. And we call on Stonewall to work with us to reallocate the income they receive from this partnership so that it can be used to directly support Pride organisers who are driving the Pride movement for the good of all LGBT+ people across the UK.

    “Finally, given Primark’s history, we seek reassurances from Primark that the production of these items is not taking place in any country where homosexuality is illegal.

    “A full map of all UK Pride events can be found on our website at http://www.ukpon.lgbt/pridedates/  If you wish to make contact and support your local Pride, we are sure that any support would be most welcome.”