London Pride should be fossil fuel free and there should be no place for companies destroying our planet, agreed the Mayor today when questioned by Zack Polanski AM whether he supports the Fossil Free Pride campaign
The Mayor said he was happy to work with Green Assembly Member Zack Polanski to support the Fossil Free Pride campaign and ‘also addressing other issues of inequalities and that includes for too long investing in fossil fuels’.
The call follows continued lobbying with Peter Tatchell and others on opening the running of Pride to grassroots community groups – an idea the Mayor has taken up.
Green London Assembly member Zack Polanski says:
We must make sure companies that are destroying our planet have no place in a social justice movement.
Pride is a protest where the focus should be on supporting and celebrating LGBTIQA+ people, not putting money into the pockets of those who are contributing to the climate emergency.
I am proud to have raised this in the Assembly so everyone taking part in Pride and watching from the outside know that Pride is no place for those who don’t care about protecting our planet for years to come.
The Mayor is right that this is an issue of leadership – Pride must lead by example in all areas of social, racial and climate justice.
Zack urges community-led organisations to apply for the up to £625,000 grant to deliver London’s iconic Pride events between 2023-2027 – the tender process will be open between July and September 2022.
Notes to editors
[1] WATCH the exchange today, Mayor’s Question Time 23 June 2022: https://webcasts.london.gov.uk/Assembly/Event/Index/4fe40273-7532-4569-…
[2] Open letter to Mayor of London urges Pride reform. Peter Tatchell Foundation, Oct 2021 https://www.petertatchellfoundation.org/open-letter-to-mayor-of-london-…
[3] Mayor invites community groups to bid to run London’s Pride events. Mayor of London press release, May 2022 https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/tender-open-for-london…
[4] Fossil Free Pride campaign https://www.fossilfreepride.co.uk/
The Fossil Free Pride Pledge
We are calling on Pride committees to sign the following pledge:
Climate change affects LGBTQIA+ communities and individuals around the world.
In recognition of the climate emergency we are in, we pledge:
• To adopt a publicly available ethical sponsorship policy
• Not to accept sponsorship from or partnership with fossil fuel companies
• Not accept sponsorship from or partnership with financial institutions funding fossil fuel companies