The Medway Pride team is co-directed by Martha Abernathy and Natasha Steer. Natasha Steer is a Chatham based creative practitioner who has been working in community engagement and events in Medway for over 7 years. Martha Abernathy is an American expat living and working in Medway: she is a radiographer, a trade unionist, and an LGBT rights campaigner. We would like to hold a Medway Pride event in Summer 2019 and we envision the event to include the following. - A parade through Rochester that raises awareness of the need for acceptance of equality and diversity. - A daytime event in an accessible public space that includes performances on a stage, stalls providing information and vendors with LGBTQ+ merchandise. - Collaboration with community organisers to create a framework that can be built on in order to widen local LGBTQ+ communities and awareness. In turn, this would mean Medway Pride events can occur annually and throughout the year.

What we'll deliver:

• Co-produce a Medway Pride event that promotes open conversation about LGBTQ+ pride and diversity.
• Encourage and support local organisations and educational institutions in their promotion of Pride month
• To ensure the Medway Pride event is accessible to all and includes a diverse range of the general public.
• A performance area, ideally on a stage, to showcase LGBTQ+ performances

Why it's a great idea:

LGBTQ+ Pride event will promote and celebrate LGBTQ+ diversity within the Medway towns, encourage visibility, and education surrounding Pride. Given that governmental crime statistics show a significant increase in reported LGBT crimes in Kent, there’s an obvious need for such an event. For more information on the statistics relating to increased sexual orientation and transgender hate crimes in Kent see ‘Hate crimes, England and Wales, 2014/15 and 2016/2017’ via www.gov.uk.

Steps to get it done:

• Book road closures and barriers
• Book stage
• Book 4 portable toilets (one with disabled access)
• Book stewards
• Book First Aid
• Organise Public Liability Insurance
• Book performers and stall holders
• Collaborate with local organisations and businesses for cross-promotion
• Deliver workshops for costume development for parade