Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, has announced his intention to give £650,000 in sponsorship to London’s Gay Pride event.
Under the new scheme, community groups will bid to win the right to run the event for the next five years.
The successful bidder will receive £500,000 in grants from Mr Johnson, who will also sponsor a new events officer for the initiative. It is proposed that Trafalgar Square will also be offered as a venue free-of-charge, meaning that over £650,000 would be given in sponsorship by the Mayor to keep the event running.
The scheme was launched after the event ran into financial difficulties this year, causing uncertainty over its future and resulting in the resignation of Pride board members last month.
Mr Johnson said: “London’s Pride celebrations are a key event in our city’s cultural calendar.”
Nearly £100,000 of taxpayers’ money was spent on the Pride event this year.
Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said:
“The Mayor of London is throwing public money at an event which does not have the backing of a large section of the public.
“I hope those Londoners who disagree with Mr Johnson will let him know.”
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