Festival tackles homophobia

10:18am Tuesday 5th August 2008

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According to Andrew Prince, founder of Outburst UK and organiser of its Black Pride Festival, the prejudices still facing the black gay community are manifold.

And discrimination sometimes comes from groups one might have expected to be more tolerant.

“Racism in the gay community is there and sometimes blatant,” claims Mr Prince.

However, at the same time, he thinks the perception that the black community is more homophobic than society at large, is mistaken.

“The black community is just more vocal about it,” he says.

As well as running the festival, Outburst UK works on community projects and also provides university scholarships for black students.

Mr Prince was also personally involved in the Stop Murder Music Campaign of 2004-6, which objected to the apparent homophobic and violent lyrics of some reggae artists.

The second annual Out-burst Black Pride Festival, in Tottenham Green, will include performances from R‘n’B artist Michael Ash-anti; dance-pop, soul and house diva Kym Mazelle; lesbian rapper Mz Fontaine and many others.

One of those performing will be singer Kory McLeod, 25, whose up-tempo music is influenced by R‘n’B, jazz, and Seventies and Eighties pop.

For him, the Outburst Festival is more than just a fun, all-inclusive day out.

He says: ”An event like this can help let people know that we are there and that we need to be accepted.

“We’d like to think that everyone’s accepting of people’s different cultures and that we don’t need to bang on about these issues.

“But the stark reality is, we still have people who aren’t educated about different cultures and aren’t necessarily willing to accept others.”

Yet is it possible that by holding an event aimed so specifically at the black gay community, others may be discouraged from attending, creating a stronger divide?

Mr Prince thinks not. He says: “No one should be discouraged. The festival is open to everyone, regardless of race, nationality, age, gender or orientation.

“Though the festival will be there to highlight certain issues, it’s also there for people to just come down and have fun. It’s about music and food, as well as being gay. Really it’s about sharing.”

Also performing will be the UK’s answer to Destiny’s Child, 4Flava; belly dancer Cassia; rapper MC Chewy; dance music vocalist Shena Winchester and female reggae artist Guess, hosted by TV presenter and director Trevor Blackman.

There will also be representatives from community groups and charities, and a fireworks display at 9pm.

m The Outburst UK Black LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) Pride Festival is taking place at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, in Town Hall Approach Road, tomorrow from 12pm until 10pm.

Tickets cost £5 and are available from the box office on 0208 365 5450.