Graham Munday to step down from Brighton Bear Weekend

Brighton Bear Weekend has announced that Graham Munday has stepped down with immediate effect from his ambassadorial role and from any further association with the organisation.

For more than a decade, Graham has been a central figure in shaping Brighton Bear Weekend into one of Brighton’s most loved LGBTQ+ community events. His leadership has helped BBW grow into a major annual celebration attracting bears, cubs, otters, admirers, and allies from across the UK and beyond. The event is widely recognised not only for its joyful social programme but also for its strong commitment to local LGBTQ+ and HIV charities, including long‑standing fundraising support for The Sussex Beacon and Lunch Positive.

In recent years, BBW has significantly expanded its charitable work, including launching a community grants programme to support LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS groups and projects across Brighton & Hove. 

Through summer events, quizzes, competitions, garden parties, and community gatherings, BBW continues to raise essential funding for local organisations that provide vital services to people living with HIV and the wider queer community.

Graham issued the following personal statement: "It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my immediate resignation from my ambassadorial role and any further association with Brighton Bear Weekend.

"For 13 years, I have poured my heart, soul, money and countless volunteer hours into this community. I am incredibly proud of the work I did to help build this event from its early days in Queen's Park into the major organisation it is today.

"My priority right now is my health, recovering from a traumatic incident, and taking care of myself.

"To the community, the volunteers, and everyone who has supported me over the last 13 years: thank you. I will always be proud of what we built together."