FRIENDS OF DOROTHY
Margate Pride's initiative for local businesses, organisations and events to support our community.
Throughout August, Margate comes alive for our pride festival season. Margate Pride is for everyone, and we are thrilled to see how the festival has grown, particularly how so many local businesses and venues participate in each year’s celebrations. When we announce our full festival programme, we aim to include as many events, venues, and businesses as possible.
However, it’s crucial that those we promote fully understand why Margate pride is so vital to the community. We want to ensure that people from Margate and those travelling to us from across the country are directed to events, venues, and businesses that we can trust and are actively engaged with our expectations throughout the Pride festival and all year round.
What we are asking:
Although one of our requirements is that a portion of your pride-related profits be donated to LGBTQ+ causes, you can’t buy your way in, and we’re interested in actions, not just words, that support our community.
You can become a Margate Pride Friend of Dorothy by reviewing and agreeing to our code of conduct for allied events, venues, and businesses. Below, we’ve outlined some key points to give you an idea of what we’re looking for.
Step one: Educate thyself
No, we’re not talking about a crash course in queer theory (though that wouldn’t hurt). We’re talking about taking the time to understand the issues the LGBTQIA+ community faces, the history of Pride, and the diversity within the community itself.
It’s not enough to throw glitter around; you need to have a solid foundation of knowledge to back it up. Margate Pride offers LGBTQIA+ awareness training, as do many other wonderful organisations. Get in touch if you would like to know more.
Step two: show me the money
No, seriously. Put your money where your mouth is. We ask that businesses programming any Margate Pride-related promotions (e.g., a special drink or product) include a set percentage to donate to Margate Pride to support our year-round community work or an LGBTQIA+ charity or organisation working for our community.
Other ways you can support the community are by offering your venue for free, dedicating some volunteer hours to a specific project, or stewarding on Pride Day. But remember, this isn’t a one-time transaction. Long-term commitment is key. Make it an ongoing effort, not just a token gesture.
Step three: get your rainbow on, but with integrity.
Pride is about celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and their struggles, not turning their identities into a marketing gimmick.
So, before you splash rainbows on everything from your storefront to your product packaging, ask yourself: is this genuine? Is it respectful? Is it contributing to the cause in a meaningful way? If the answer is yes, then by all means, let your rainbow progress flag fly high.
Step four: embrace inclusivity in your workplace.
Creating a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ employees should be a top priority. Implement policies that protect and support them, provide diversity training for staff, and ensure equal opportunities for everyone. Remember, being an ally is not just about external actions; it starts from within.
Step five: amplify LGBTQIA+ voices
Pride is a time for celebrating, but it’s also an opportunity to listen. Elevate the voices and stories of LGBTQIA+ individuals within your business and beyond. Please give them a platform, collaborate with LGBTQIA+ owned businesses, and actively seek out diverse perspectives. It’s time to pass the mic and let the community speak for itself.
What you’ll receive
If you’re a business, once you are an official Margate Pride friend of Dorothy, we will add your name to our register on our website. Additionally, you will receive a sticker that you can display to let the community know that you are an LGBTQIA+ or allied-run business. If you’re hosting an event, this will be listed in our official pride listings on our website, socials, and more.
Ensuring commitment
We will ask everyone to sign up on an annual basis to ensure that you are a committed friend of Dorothy. Once you have signed up and been accepted, if your action strays away from what has been agreed upon, we will remove you from our list and also ask that you return your sticker.
What happens next
If you want to sign up to become a Friend of Dorothy – please email operations@margatepride.org.uk
Being a good business ally to your town’s LGBTQIA+ pride is an ongoing process, a commitment to progress, and a genuine desire to make a difference. So let’s go forth, be bold, and remember: pride is not just a month—it’s a mindset.