MK Pride Festival Program_2024

HEADLINE SPONSOR

Celebrating 5 years of pride in Milton Keynes www.mkpridefestival.com

MKPF 2023

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRIDE TEAM This year, we will celebrate five years of Pride in Milton Keynes! The Pride team includes Director Keith Emmett III, Director Lee Kaye and Secretary Amy Claxton. We have a diverse team from all backgrounds working tirelessly each year to make the festival a success. All of us share the same vision and dedication to promoting visibility, social cohesion, education, and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.

Milton Keynes Pride stands as a testament to the inclusivity that this city thrives on and continually strives to achieve. This year, we expect up to 20,000 festival-goers, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone!

We are especially proud to showcase local charity Q:alliance, taking our partnership to new heights. Q:alliance has been a cornerstone of support and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community in Milton Keynes. Their commitment to providing resources, education, and a safe space for individuals aligns perfectly with our mission. Together, we aim to create an unforgettable celebration that highlights the strength, resilience, and unity of our community. We are so pleased to have their Communications and Engagement Manager, Jay Virgo, as our Community Stage host, as well as giving their current Heritage Project its own space and platform. Do check out both of their spaces on the day, they’ve especially put together a brief history of Pride to celebrate our fifth anniversary.

Join us for a day filled with joy, pride, and togetherness as we honour five years of Pride in Milton Keynes!

SECRETARY AMY CLAXTON

DIRECTOR KEITH EMMETT III 2

DIRECTOR LEE KAYE

CONTENTS 2 u3

INTRODUCTION & CONTENTS

4 u5

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

6 u7

HEADLINE SPONSOR uSANTANDER

8 u9

PRIDE PARTNER uCOMMUNITY FOUNDATION

10 u11 COMMUNITY & COMEDY STAGE SPONSOR uRIGHTMOVE 12 u13 RAINBOW STAGE uLINE-UP 14 u15 DRAG & CABARET STAGE SPONSOR uVOLKSWAGEN UNITED KINGDOM 16 u17 DRAG & CABARET STAGE uLINE-UP 18 u19 ACCOMMODATION SPONSOR uHOTEL LATOUR 20 u21 HEADLINE SPONSOR uSANTANDER 22 u23 POPWORLD MK u12TH STREET LEISURE QUARTER uOFFICIAL PRIDE VILLAGE SPONSOR 24 u25 CHARITY PARTNER uQ:ALLIANCE uPRIDE SUPPORTERS 26 u27 PRIDE FESTIVAL MAP 28 u29 VOLUNTEER & SENSORY SPACE SPONSOR uCENTRE:MK 30 u31 KIDS SPACE SPONSOR uMK THEATRE uSOCIALS & DONATE 32 u33 GREEN ROOM SPONSOR uFOURTEEN SKY BAR & RESTAURANT 34 u35 KEEPING PRIDE CLEAN SPONSOR uNHBC 36 u37 POWERING PRIDE SPONSOR uORACLE REDBULL RACING uKEEPING SAFE AT PRIDE 38 u39 RAINBOW SPONSORS 40 u

PROGRAM SPONSOR uUNISON MILTON KEYNES HEALTH BRANCH 3

HEADLINE SPONSOR

PRIDE PARTNER

4

PRIDE SPONSORS

FOUR

TEEN

5

Santander is delighted to welcome you once again to the iconic Milton Keynes Pride Festival At Santander, Pride is our yearlong mindset. We strive every day to support ALL our people and customers every day of the year, whether it’s through our LGBTQ+ refugee mentoring programme, our groundbreaking Evolving Minds platform, or our Community Pride initiative across the UK. We’re proud that Santander is #ThePlaceToBeYourself

Our Embrace Network Embrace is Santander’s award-winning LGBTQ+ employee network that serves over 2,000 members across the UK from all areas of our operations – from Lerwick to London, and from Merthyr Tydfil to Milton Keynes. Founded in 2014, Embrace is one of Santander UK’s largest employee networks, and is the blueprint for creating Embrace Networks in other countries within the Santander Group – a truly global phenomenon!

6

Our dedicated team of volunteers are always focused on how we can better support the experience of our LGBTQ+ people, customers and communities.

TJ Richards, Network Co-Chair and Milton Keynes’ own resident cheerleader commented “I’m super excited that Santander have the privilege of sponsoring MK’s Pride Fest again this year. As the largest local employer, it’s vital that we show up and actively support for our LGBTQ+ community – now more than ever. We want to help create a world where everyone is embraced for being their true, authentic selves – in all our fabulous glory!”

Alison Webdale, Executive Committee Sponsor added, “At Santander, we believe in the power of being yourself, and the Embrace Network exemplifies the power of our people. As the new ExCo sponsor for Embrace, I’m committed to fostering an environment where LGBTQ+ voices are heard and valued, and where ‘being different’ means ‘making a difference.’ Our support for the LGBTQ+ community is a testament to our understanding that inclusion is the cornerstone of not just a thriving workplace, but a thriving society.”

7

MK Community Foundation

Proud Partner of MK Pride Festival, 2024!

MK Community Foundation is a leading grant-giving organisation, sending funding where it's needed most in Milton Keynes. We believe everyone should be able to live their life authentically, with pride, and we're committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community in our city.

Our partnership with MK Pride is about ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for individuals with additional needs during the event. We're proud to support MK Pride’s commitment to removing barriers, training volunteers and adapting to make sure the event can be enjoyed by all.

THE POWER OF REGULAR GIVING When you become a regular donor, you don't just give - you become a Friend. Your recurring donation allows us to plan ahead and respond to the ever-changing needs of the Milton Keynes community.

By becoming a Friend of MK Community Foundation, you’re joining a community of individuals who are committed to making a positive impact in Milton Keynes.

BECOME A FRIEND And help make Milton Keynes a better place for everyone.

Charitable giving brings people together. It bridges gaps and creates a more inclusive society.

To find out how you can get involved in making a lasting impact to the LGBTQ+ community in Milton Keynes, please get in touch.

MK Pride Festival

Rightmove is proud to be part of MK Pride this year, celebrating authenticity at work and in the community. We’re thrilled to sponsor this important local event, reflecting our values and dedication to creating a welcoming environment for everyone. Many of our employees live and work in Milton Keynes, making this event particularly meaningful.

We strive to create a workplace where everyone can be themselves, putting people at the centre of everything we do. We support our LGBTQIA+ community through an ongoing support network for employees, including our DEI inclusion group, supportive company policies, mental health support, and allyship education. This year, we celebrated Pride with a month-long calendar of activities, featuring an inspiring talk

by Lady Phyll, a mental health session with Jason Lee, an #IAmRemarkable x Pride workshop, and fundraisers/donations for Papyrus and akt. Our sponsorship reflects our commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels empowered to be their authentic selves.

10

COMMUNITY & COMEDY STAGE SPONSOR uRIGHTMOVE

IT COMMUN

Y

CHARITY PARTNER u Q:ALLIANCE u 12:15PM SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER u STEPHEN J. WHITTON u 12:40PM SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER u OLLIE KING u 1:15PM PRIDE PARTNER u COMMUNITY FOUNDATION u 1:40PM SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER u HORSE MCDONALD u 2:05PM HEADLINE SPONSOR u SANTANDER u 2:30PM SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS u JAKE & HANNAH GRAF u 3:05PM PRIDE SPONSOR u VOLKSWAGEN UNITED KINGDOM u 3:40PM SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER u EMILY HAMILTON u 4:15PM SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER u ROB STAINES u 4:40PM

COMEDY JAMES BARR KATE CHEKA DAVID IAN KATE DALE JEREMY TOPP LEIGH DOUGLAS FROM 7:30PM 11

RAINBOW STAGE uLINE-UP uDAY

1:30pm

DAY

12:40pm

2:20pm

3pm

3:50pm

4:40pm

12

RAINBOW STAGE uLINE-UP uEVENING

EVENING

6pm

7:20pm

8pm

8:40pm

9:20pm

13

6:40pm

Our continuing enthusiastic support for the fantastic annual Milton Keynes Pride Festival is far more than a gesture. Our commitment to welcoming a more diverse workplace is something that comes from not only our Milton Keynes-based UK headquarters (which includes the brands Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, Škoda, CUPRA and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles), but also Volkswagen Group as a global company. It is a value that is embraced passionately by our Employee Network Groups at Volkswagen Group UK, which includes the LGBTQ+ focused ‘We Drive Proud UK’.

We’re proud that our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace has been recognised this year by independent organisation Inclusive Employers through awarding us its highest, Gold accreditation – a first within the automotive sector.

14

DRAG & CABARET STAGE SPONSOR uVOLKSWAGEN UNITED KINGDOM

We Drive Proud UK Chair, Nathan Beard, said: “Our support for the festival at a tangible, grassroots level, with numerous colleagues getting involved on the day, is really important within the local Milton Keynes area, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. Volkswagen Group UK, as the sponsor once again of the Drag & Cabaret Stage, is immensely proud to be an integral part of this wonderful event.”

Further information can be found at https://careers.volkswagengroup.co.uk/an-inclusive-employer or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/volkswagen-group-uk-ltd/ 15

DRAG & CABARET STAGE uLINE-UP uDAY

2:10pm

DAY

1pm

2:50pm

3:30pm

4:10pm

4:50pm

16

DRAG & CABARET STAGE uLINE-UP uEVENING

EVENING

6pm

7:20pm

7:50pm

8:25pm

9:15pm

17

6:40pm

Thrilled to be returning as Milton Keynes Pride Festival accommodation sponsor!

Our ongoing partnership with MKPF reflects our support of equality and inclusivity. We are proud and excited to celebrate pride, welcoming guests from all backgrounds to our friendly environment.

Enjoy 15% off your bedroom reservation when you book direct via our website!

Offering same sex marriages booked before March 2025 a 15% discount on civil ceremony and day guest pricing.

Quote ‘MKPridewed’ when booking to receive.

Email

Hotel La Tour

events@hotel-latour.co.uk

Four Hundred

Phone

Marlborough Gate

01908 732400

Milton Keynes MK9 3FP

*T&Cs apply, subject to availability.

Welcome to

Not only is Unity Place the new home of Santander’s UK headquarters – it’s a hub for our local communities.

The bold and bright Unity Place is unmissable, directly opposite MK Station Square and built with community and collaboration in mind, fully open for the public to enjoy! Partnering with B-Corp businesses, learning institutions, community groups, arts studios and youth charities, Unity Place is a hub of activity, designed to support the community and local area as a landmark public destination.

Food & Dining: Destination for everyone The vibrant and delicious Urban Food Market is alive with street food vendors, and we’re home to cafés, Unity Sky Lounge, and the new Dipna Anand’s Kitchen and Bar, making it a foodie heaven.

We’re also home to ROK Barbers, Green Bubbles Dry Cleaners & Laundry Service, the Corner Store for grabbing the essentials and a beautiful Baker’s Room (opening soon), baking fresh treats to delight you.

Collaboration and Co-Working that works In the upper floors, Unity Place partners with co-working provider x+why who provide flexible spaces for members, while the ground floor the Santander Work Café has co-working desks and bookable meeting rooms for customers and public to use, as well as a branch for customers to access their everyday banking needs.

20

New Community Space in MK Our Community Hall is built to offer an inclusive space where wellbeing, community engagement and sustainability come together. Our mission is to support local community initiatives which foster community values and support social & cultural projects in MK. Visit unityplace.co.uk to learn more.

Built for the future Sustainability is key as the multipurpose facility is built with rainwater harvesting, solar panels, indoor plants, low energy lighting and is zero carbon (with carbon offsetting). Any surplus bread from the Baker’s Room doesn’t go to waste as it’s repurposed on site in its own microbrewery and is served across the building!

The building is open to the public and there’s even more to discover all in Unity Place!

21

OFFICIAL PRIDE VILLAGE FAMILY EXPERIENCES AT • ADVENTURE GOLF • • ESCAPE ROOMS • • VIRTUAL REALITY • • RACING SIMULATORS • PARTY WITH PRIDE AT OUR • BARS, PUBS & NIGHTCLUBS! • WWW.12THSTREET.CO.UK

CHARITY PARTNER – Q:ALLIANCE

uPRIDE SUPPORTERS

CHARITY PARTNER

MEDIA PARTNERS

COMMUNITY SUPPORTER

25

PRIDE VILLAGE

MAIN BAR

FOOD VILLAGE PICNIC AREA

RAINBOW STAGE

DRAG & CABARET

FUNFAIR

MERCHANDISE BUMPER CARS

ACCESSIBILITY ENTRANCE

CAMPBELL PARK - EVENTS PLATEAU REUNITE HUB FIRST AID - MEDICAL CENTRE EMERGENCY EXITS SENSORY TENT

MAIN ENTRANCE & EXIT COMMUNITY & COMEDY

TOILETS REVOLOO

SPONSOR SPACE

ACCESSIBILITY ENTRANCE

COMMUNITY SPACE

ACCESSIBILITY CHARGING KIDS SPACE

HYDRATION STATION PRIDE VILLAGE PRIDE HUB

NO ALCOHOL TO BE BROUGHT ONTO SITE

SECURITY BAG SEARCHES AT PRIDE

VOLUNTEER & SENSORY SPACE SPONSOR uCENTRE:MK Centre:mk are proud to support the Milton Keynes Pride Festival once again, as Volunteer and Sensory Calming Space Sponsor.

The entertainment, music, stalls and activities that are so meticulously planned by the organisers have created an event that is now firmly in the Milton Keynes calendar and that everyone looks forward to, attracting visitors from all over the country, from all walks of life. The day is a true celebration for all, where everybody feels welcome and can be their true selves. A wonderful day where the LGBTQ+ community and their allies celebrate diversity and inclusivity.

Our sponsorship of the sensory tent provides a calm and relaxing space for families and individuals with sensory perceptual needs to take a moment of relaxation and calm, away from the excitement of the festival. By sponsoring the festival volunteers, they can be provided with essential training, t-shirts and an area at the festival where they can rest and take a break throughout the day.

28

VOLUNTEER & SENSORY SPACE SPONSOR uCENTRE:MK

Our support and sponsorship of MKPF fits with our vision to make our city totally inclusive, where people can feel safe and welcomed no matter what their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

Centre:mk sits at the very heart of the city and as the region’s leading shopping and dining destination, over 4,000 people are employed at the centre, in the retailers, independent traders and centre team, they serve over 22 million visitors every year.

Our “open to all policy” is at the heart of our culture. Welcoming everybody who comes through the doors as a guest and striving to make a visit to centre:mk the best it can be for everyone. Our ongoing support and partnership with MKPF reflects our commitment to championing the LGBTQ+ community and empowering everybody to be who they want to be. This is all part of the wonderful fabric of our diverse and vibrant city. Love is Love.

29

WORLD CLASS ENTERTAINMENT

PHOTOS BY DANIELLE LEVIT T

FOR EVERYONE

Tue 1 – Sat 5 Oct

Sat 12 – Sat 19 Oct

Thu 31 Oct – Sat 2 Nov

SKLAR 10BEGUELIN & BOB MARTIN Wed 6 – Sun Nov

Book by

THOMAS MEEHAN

Music by

MATTHEW

Mon 21 – Sat 26 Oct

Lyrics by

CHAD

Tue 12 – Sat 16 Nov

DIRECT FROM THE WEST END WBP_ELF_2024027_ATG_Brochure_85x126_+3mmBleed.indd 1

Tue 19 – Sat 23 Nov

11/06/2024 14:40

Tue 26 – Sat 30 Nov

Fri 6 Dec – Sun 5 Jan 2025 Sign up to hear about other shows coming soon

M_HYCA_2024178_MK_Pride_40x37_+3mmBleed.indd 24/07/2024 13:21 1

atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes* *Fees apply

uSOCIALS & DONATE

Milton Keynes Pride Festival is a (not-for-profit) community interest company that has been developed to provide Milton Keynes with an annual pride.

The organisers do not receive core funding to make pride happen or to support the work we do throughout the year. MKPF is run completely by volunteers who donate their time to organise the event. Pride relies on your donations to keep it a FREE event.

We have now made it possible for festival-goers to donate on the day.

Donate at pride!

Ask one of our volunteers to direct you to our tap to donate!

www.mkpridefestival.com 2024 Milton Keynes Pride Festival.

All Rights Reserved. Registered CIC No. 12518898 31

K E E P I N G YO U FU EL L ED FO R A W EEKEND OF PR I DE 10% off food and drink at Fourteen Sky Bar and Restaurant, when you quote ‘MKPride10’ to your server.

T&Cs apply, available only on 14.09.24

B OO K NOW

NHBC: Celebrating and supporting our LGBTQ+ community year-round At NHBC, the UK’s leading provider of warranty and insurance for new homes, our commitment to the LGBTQ+ community extends beyond Pride Month. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment every day of the year, supporting our LGBTQ+ colleagues through a variety of initiatives and activities.

As proud sponsors of the Milton Keynes Pride Festival, we are dedicated to supporting Pride and

making a positive impact in the communities where our employees live and work.

NHBC’s Proud Network supports LGBTQ+ colleagues with events, fundraising activities and promotion of allyship. Our network aims to create a safe space where all colleagues feel valued and respected. We also support diversity through our memberships, including Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.

NHBC is committed to being a responsible, ethical and attractive employer, promoting diversity and inclusion through our employee-run networks. Our core values – Excellent, Connected, Human and Progressive – guide everything we do, ensuring we create a supportive and inclusive workplace for all.

We build confidence in the construction quality of new homes by assessing, inspecting and insuring new homes registered with us. Our experienced professionals, along with trainees, ensure we maintain the highest standards in the homebuilding industry. We are recognised and trusted by

www.nhbc.co.uk Facebook @nhbcuk Instagram @nhbcuk X @nhbc

homeowners and builders alike for our comprehensive warranty and insurance products.

With our headquarters in Milton Keynes and over 50% of our colleagues working from home across the UK, we believe in flexible working to accommodate diverse lifestyles. NHBC is dedicated to building confidence in the construction quality of new homes while making a positive impact in the communities where we operate.

We’re proud to sponsor Milton Keynes Pride Festival 2024, as we continue to celebrate and support our LGBTQ+ colleagues and the wider community.

As the home of six-time Formula 1 Constructors’ Champions, Oracle Red Bull Racing proudly stands alongside Milton Keynes PRIDE. The Team’s commitment to fostering awareness and allyship extends beyond the racetrack, including actively supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Formula 1 has a vast global following, uniting fans from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Representation matters— positive actions and change can inspire Team members, fans, partners, and other organisations to follow suit. Oracle Red Bull Racing is not just racing; but also driving positive change.

Oracle Red Bull Racing is delighted to be bringing the energy to you today by “Powering MK PRIDE”.

KEEPING SAFE AT MKPF

Please note our child & vulnerable adult registration scheme available on the day of the festival. Upon entry you will be asked if you would like to register and use our wristband scheme. You will be required to write your mobile number on the wristband provided to register.

If a child or vulnerable adult goes missing please go straight to our REUNITE HUB located next to our community space.

We wish everyone a safe and wonderful time at this years pride.

37

Please see our pride festival map on pages 26 u27 and use our icon above as a point of reference.

RAINBOW SPONSORS

Personal Group is Milton Keynes-based, AIM-listed provider of insurance, employee wellbeing and engagement solutions.

Their comprehensive approach addresses physical, mental, and financial wellbeing, aiming to create a brighter future for the UK workforce. Personal Group supports employers in improving their workforce’s overall quality of life. Their flagship product, Hapi, is a mobile-first employee benefits platform that features an employee discount scheme with discounts at major retailers . For more information, visit www. hapi.co.uk. Celebrating 40 years of business this September, Personal Group is proud to sponsor LGBTQ+ and DE&I in the workforce.

We’re delighted to support this important event in MK’s calendar and looking forward to celebrating our city’s diversity at the MK Pride Festival with the whole community.

Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) works with developers, investors, and businesses who all share our commitment and passion for innovation, partnership, and community. We’re managing and developing our land assets in line with the objectives laid out by Milton Keynes City Council’s Plan and Strategy for 2050. We’re bringing forward a portfolio of urban development opportunities in central Milton Keynes that are some of the most exciting in the country.

West Bletchley Parish Council is proud to sponsor this year’s Milton Keynes Pride Festival, West Bletchley is one of the larger parishes in Milton Keynes and has a diverse population.

We want to support all our residents and make everyone feel part of the community. Members of the Council feel that Milton Keynes Pride Festival is a very worthwhile event to support, and the Council is looking forward to celebrating the 5th anniversary of Pride in Milton Keynes.

38

RAINBOW SPONSORS

Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council is delighted to stand in support of our LGBTQ+ community. As a local council we are committed to representing and recognising the whole of our community in all its glorious diversity.

We are sponsoring MK Pride Festival as it champions equality and celebrates our differences. It reminds the whole community that equal rights are hard won and not everyone feels safe to be themselves yet. We hope that Pride will help to build a more tolerant, inclusive and vibrant society for everyone.

MKFM 106.3 FM is the local radio station for Milton Keynes owned and run by a dedicated team of people who live and breathe the city. As well as providing local content on-air, MKFM also has the largest social media presence in Milton Keynes with a website and app which are home to everything local people need to know.

MKFM helps businesses, charities and not-for-profit organisations who share our local values and feel that our media partnership with Milton Keynes Pride Festival reflects our ongoing commitment to support, promote and give visibility to the LGBTQ+ community and showcase the diversity of our city.

MK Loft Boarding MK loft boarding is a leading installer of loft boarding systems, loft ladders and hatches.

Director Ryan Evans, MKBAA 2024 Entrepreneur of the year, Winner said: “We’re proud to support Milton Keynes Pride Festival and it reflects our commitment to create a caring, inclusive culture where everyone is able to be themselves and reach their full potential”

39