Bristol Pride billboard vandalised

A billboard in Bristol City Centre detailing the upcoming Bristol Pride Weekend has been vandalised within 24 hours of being installed.

Taking place from June 24^th to July 9^th, Bristol Pride is set to see a host of events, comedy, music performances, films, history events, a Trans Pride Picnic, and the Parade March take place.

Less than 24 hours of being erected, the billboard was set alight in what is being assumed as a targeted action against the LGBT+ community.

In a statement on social media, Bristol Pride says: “Considered acts of hatred like this are the reason why Pride remains a protest, as well as a celebration of visibility. It only gives evidence as to why we need Pride and to show up supporting each other.

“More than ever, we need allyship, we need to call out hate and prejudice, and remember that our freedoms must be protected, rather than taken complacently.”

This incident is the second homophobic attack in Bristol this month following the removal and defacing of rainbow doormats in Bedminster.

Susie Day and her partner have recently moved to the area and put a rainbow doormat outside their home in time for the upcoming Pride celebrating in Bristol. Soon after, the doormat was stolen, prompting the couple to go out and buy a new one but this time glue it down so it couldn’t be removed.

The doormat was then found to have been spray-painted black, seemingly in objection to the rainbow flag pattern, which reflect the diversity of the LGBT+ community.

In support and solidarity of their new neighbours, members of the street have gone out and purchased their own rainbow doormats with many doors now adorned by them.

Speaking to Bristol Live, Day said: “We’d only just moved here, and it felt personal. We weren’t sure if the theft was just random, but clearly someone didn’t like it and actually came back with a spray can.

“Everyone was really shocked and we’ve had such great messages and people coming round to say how disgusted they were someone would do this. Everyone has said that’s not what this street is like and one of our neighbours said they were going to get a rainbow doormat themselves. Now a lot of the other neighbours are doing the same.”

To support the upcoming Bristol Pride events, supporter wristbands are available and organisers are still in need of volunteers to help support the community and Pride Day.

“But mostly, we need you to show up on Pride Day, Saturday July 8^th, louder and prouder than ever and show that hate has no home in Bristol,” organisers add.

If you have any news, please email carys@linkpublishing.co.uk or join in with the conversation on Twitter and LinkedIn.