Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus has donated two huge 25-metre trans flags to Trans Pride Brighton ahead of the main march taking place this Saturday 18 July.
The two banners were created by the chorus for their Pride float last year, which celebrated two decades of the chorus as a trans inclusive space and staunch community ally.
Painstakingly hand-stitched by a team from the chorus, led by Jack Elliott, the epic flags stretching out behind the float were an unmissable show of trans solidarity and support in Brighton Pride.
Joe Paxton, Artistic Director for the chorus said: “At a time when trans people are increasingly under attack, it’s really important for us to use our platform and to stand shoulder to shoulder as allies with our own trans members and the wider trans community.
“It's been amazing to see Trans Pride Brighton grow into the biggest Trans Pride event in the UK - it's absolutely Brighton at its best. It is a real honour that these special flags will now be part of their story.”
The end of each banner featured a quiet dedication in preparation for their donation to Trans Pride Brighton. Jack had personally embroidered them with the words “Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus 2005-2025 Vocal trans allies for 20 years,” and “Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus 2005-2025 Celebrating 20 years of trans inclusion.”
Sarah Savage, co-founder of Trans Pride Brighton, whose achievements were celebrated earlier in the year at the chorus’s Heroes show, said: “These awesome flags are so much more than the fabric they’re made from; they’re a symbol of love, solidarity and our shared history.
“Knowing they were hand-made by a trans member of Brighton Gay Men's Chorus makes them even more special.
“We see this as the Chorus entrusting Trans Pride Brighton with a community heirloom and as an incredible honour. We are deeply grateful for this beautiful gift and for the powerful message of solidarity that it sends.”
Trans Pride Brighton has taken on the care and maintenance of the flags, as a lasting symbol of the chorus and wider community's allyship and solidarity with their trans siblings.
At Trans Pride Brighton’s invitation, Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus will have the privilege of carrying the banners through the city in its march on Saturday, 18 July. The march starts at 12pm at Valley Gardens.
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