politics

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25 August 2007, Manchester, England. Activists invaded the annual Manchester Pride parade today in a protest against the commercialisation of this one-time community and fundraising event.

Manchester City Council boasts that Pride brings in more than 20million UKP (UK Pounds) for the city's businesses each year ($40m). However, in 2006, just 65,000 UKP ($130,000) was raised for charity by Pride.

This was one of the lowest figures in the 17-year history of the event, which was started to raise money for HIV and AIDS causes. And was despite 35,000 members of the public paying 10-15 UKP for an entry ticket in 2006 (entry was free from 1990-1998 and in 2000 and 2001).This year tickets cost up to 18 UKP each.

In 2006 the organisers even charged unfunded HIV charities and groups 50 UKP to walk in the parade.

Last year the activists were removed by Police and security. But this year they managed to unfurl their banners and walk the entire route.

At the Pride Expo event, charities and voluntary groups must pay 50 UKP for a stall, regardless of their finances, plus 30 UKP if they want a power supply.

This comes days after the Manchester Pride Festival Director was heckled by the public about high costs at a talk given by gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell (an official Pride event).

At the first event of this year's Get Bent, Ida Lukawska from the Culture For Tolerance LGBT Festival, Krakow, talked about the situation for LGBTQI people in Poland.

The Get Bent International Film Festival in Manchester brings you more than thirty original films from around the world. This showreel is a brief taste of some of them.

Join us for four days of film, debates, parties and more...

Get Bent! Short Films

Friday, August 31, 2007 20.00 - 00.00
At the Contact Theatre, Oxford Road, Manchester

Friday, August 31, 2007 20.00 - 00.00
At the Contact Theatre, Oxford Road, Manchester

The cutting-edge of underground queer film-making from across the country and beyond comes to the Contact Theatre. Get Bent! has selected ten cinematic gems that explore the darkest and most humorous recesses of contemporary life.

The evening rounds off with a special performance by instrumental four-piece, 7 Hertz accompanying a black and white queer cult classic. Followed by DJs and late bar.

Warning: Contains explicit material.
This event is wheelchair accessible. Please contact filmfest(AT)get-bent-manchester.com for any further information.

Get Bent! Documentaries: Life in Motion

Saturday 1st September 13.00 - 19.00
At the Council Chambers, Manchester University Students Union, Oxford Rd.

Life in Motion is a wheelchair accessible event.

Please contact filmfest(AT)get-bent-manchester.com for any further information.

The music on the showreel is 'Faux Feminism' by Vile Vile Creatures