Brighton & Hove Buses and Pride unveil the Diversity Bus

The Diversity Bus (ChrisJepsom.com)

The Diversity Bus (ChrisJepsom.com)

Brighton & Hove Buses and the Pride LGBT festival have worked together to launch the Diversity Bus, which is the latest incarnation of the Pride Festival Bus.

The bus carries the message #moreincommon, which was set up in the aftermath of MP Jo Cox’s murder a year ago. It aims to demonstrate how much more people have in common than that which divides them. The Diversity Bus will be available for partners in the city for community events where the messages on the bus can be of some value.

The bus has been named in memory of local drag artist Phil Starr who performed on stages across the world for more than 50 years and also raised thousands of pounds for charity. He was one of the main supporters of the annual Pride event in Brighton and Hove.

Brighton & Hove Buses managing director Martin Harris said: “The Diversity Bus not only celebrates Pride and everything it stands for but is a symbol of our broader support for diversity and inclusion in general. We have a long history of supporting diversity across sexual orientation, gender race and ethnicity, improving services for disabled people, and welcoming refugees.

“Just days after the terrible events in Manchester, we want to stand side by side with those who work to heal divisions in our society and to support those that are vulnerable in our communities. And to stand by those who oppose hate.”

Paul Kemp, director of Brighton Pride, said: "We are thrilled Brighton & Hove Buses has rejoined other prominent city businesses to support Pride in our city in this our 27th year. This is an relationship that includes a dedicated bus and shuttle service from the Pride campsite as well as exciting all-year-round promotional activity with the Pride bus."

Brighton & Hove Pride is operated by Brighton Pride CIC, a not-for-profit community interest company. All ticket revenue goes directly to costs of producing the Pride Festival, LGBT Community Parade, Pride Village Party and community fundraising for the Rainbow Fund and Pride Social Impact Fund. Pride has raised over £310,000 for the Rainbow Fund and Pride Social Impact Fund in the last four years.

The Rainbow Fund has a remit to receive donations and to use them to give grants to LGBT and HIV groups and organisations in Brighton and Hove. The Pride Social Impact Fund benefits local good causes, giving grants to a range of local groups. 

Thirty years ago Martin Harris broke new ground when he researched and published one of the first myth-busting AIDS and HIV factsheet in the transport industry when he joined the company as a young man. The factsheet, published alongside the company’s employee newsletter on 9 June 1988, was designed to counter the misinformation being spread by the national press on the subject.