London & Partners, the official promotional organisation for London will today sponsor the launch of Pride House, which will be open during next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.
On 26 July 2012, Pride House London will open its doors in support of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) community. Continuing the great work realised by Pride House Vancouver and Whistler at the 2010 winter games, this will be the second Pride House to join the line-up of Olympic houses and the first to be present at a summer games, representing a significant milestone for the LGBT community.
As one of the largest houses in London next summer, Pride House is expecting more than 250,000 visitors over seventeen days. A diverse programme is being developed with a number of partners to be announced in the New Year. Some highlights visitors can expect to find include live music and entertainment, an art exhibition featuring LGBT artists, sports tournaments and demonstrations with special appearances by professional athletes and big screens stationed around the venue showing televised broadcasts of Olympic events and highlights of Pride House.
The launch on Friday 9 December in London’s Living Room at City Hall will be supported by Pride House London ambassadors including psychologist, author and former NBA basketball player John Amaechi, member of the Great British women’s sitting volleyball training squad Claire Harvey, author, journalist, broadcaster and campaigner Peter Tatchell and founder and chief executive of Diversity Role Models Suran Dickson.
The ambassador program engages with active spokespeople who share the vision and mission of Pride House and promote the project through various speaking arrangements, workshops and educational seminars. Recent ambassadors include actor, director and comedian Stephen Fry, director and producer David Furnish and Olympic short-track speed skater Blake Skellerjup.
“Next summer Pride House will welcome athletes, dignitaries, media, Londoners and visitors from around the world with a dynamic and entertaining programme in support of the LGBT community”, said Chad Molleken, executive director of Pride House London. “It has been extremely rewarding to see the interest and engagement from organizations and individuals from around the world and today we are proud to announce partnerships with the It Gets Better Project, UK Pride Sports, LGBT History Month and Diversity Role Models.”
Stephen Fry commented on his support for the project: “I’m very proud and pleased to be an ambassador for Pride House London. All eyes will be on London for the 2012 games and Pride House is an idea that brings together so many of the elements that make London of the very the greatest cities in the world and a beacon of tolerance, diversity and pride. Pride House London is a symbol of how London remains one of the most truly cosmopolitan and accepting cities in the world.”
Gordon Innes, ceo London & Partners commented, “We are really excited about the prospect of Pride House in London – it’s a fantastic opportunity for the capital to celebrate our diverse community. The House will be a wonderful addition to the array of cultural experiences and other Houses which will be opening up across the city next year.”
Pride House aims to promote diversity and inclusion on a global scale, create awareness of homophobia in sport, encourage healthy and active lifestyles and bring communities together in the spirit of celebration. For more information please visit www.pridehouselondon.co.uk, find them onFacebook or follow them on Twitter.
