LGBTQ+ group vows Pride will go ahead after banner set on fire
Traya Buns (Facebook)
An LGBTQ+ event is installing extra security measures after a Pride banner was burnt justdays after it was put up.
Residents in Rushden, Northamptonshire, were “devastated” after the banner, made for a three-day Pride event, was left with big, black holes scorched through it. It was erected on local railings last Wednesday, and the burn marks appeared four days later on Saturday.
Sapphire Matthewman, one of the organisers of Rushden Pride, said she was “distraught” upon finding out the banner, which cost around £160, had been set alight. “It’s not surprising. When we announced the event with one of the banners there were loads of comments saying ‘burn it,'” she told Metro.
“I can’t talk about it without crying. Because it’s not just taking from us, we have partnered with two charities, Serve and Stonewall. It feels like they are taking from them.”
Rushden Pride will still go ahead despite the banner burning, but with increased security. Sapphire said police will patrol the event, with tightened security on who can enter.
Traya Buns, a drag queen who paid £160 out of their own pocket for the now-burnt banner, described it as a “kick in the guts” as homophobia rises in the area. “Something inside me told me this banner, like the last one, won’t last,” they told Metro.
Traya said they have suffered a growing number of homophobic assaults in public. This includes being called a slur in public and spending hours deleting social media accounts.
Local police said: “The incident happened between 9pm on Friday, June 5, and midday on Saturday, June 6, and the local Neighbourhood Policing Team are investigating it, not only as one of criminal damage, but also as a suspected hate crime. In addition, the team are also investigating the theft of a previous banner.
“We are engaging with the organisers of Rushden Pride and the local LGBT+ community relating to this incident and forthcoming Pride events. Anyone with any concerns is welcome to contact us.”
