By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
Queer individuals in Bristol are advocating for more accessible Pride events that prioritize women and trans people. In response, campaigners are organizing alternative Pride events that accommodate people with access needs while maintaining the DIY spirit. The Eat Up Collective is hosting its Pride afterparty at the Exchange, featuring an all Bristol lineup of queer bands for the first time.
Jet Middlefinch, a member of the collective, emphasized the importance of supporting underrepresented groups within the LGBTQ community, particularly trans people and women. Middlefinch, who uses "they" and "them" pronouns, highlighted the event’s financial and disability accessibility, noting the absence of strobe lighting and the wheelchair accessible venue. They described the event as an alternative to mainstream Pride celebrations, focusing on those not typically in the spotlight.
The Eat Up Collective provides year round workshops for queer musicians aspiring to enter the Bristol music scene, offering them initial performance opportunities to level the playing field. Feedback from the community indicates a strong desire for more initiatives like this, according to Middlefinch, who also mentioned the collective's dedication to preserving the DIY culture.
Freakshow, an all queer band, is one of the groups performing at the event. Tash Payton, the band’s keyboardist, stated that the event embodies queer inclusivity and holds significant personal importance to the band members. They described their music style as a mix of Johnny Cash and funkadelic with a queer twist, and anticipated a "chaotic" performance reflecting their camaraderie.
Folk musician Alex Garden has organized the first ever Bristol Pride ceilidh at the Old Market Assembly, tailored to those who feel out of place at traditional ceilidh events. Garden, who also uses "they" and "them" pronouns, pointed out the growing number of queer musicians in Bristol’s folk scene and the increasing diversity of official Pride events. Garden noted the emergence of a space for genderqueer musicians to openly embrace their identities.
This collective effort showcases a push for more inclusive and accessible Pride celebrations, reflecting a broader desire for representation and acceptance within the LGBTQ community.