ORGANISERS of an event to mark the end of LGBTQ History Month have spoken out about their 'disappointment' that a council will not be supporting it.

The event, called 'Big Gay Day', is marketed as a celebration of LGBTQ people, involving live music and art, and is set to take place in Carlisle city centre on February 26.

It is being put on by organisers from Free Radicals Arts and Pride in North Cumbria (PiNC), and is being supported by Cumbria Libraries and Tullie House.

A spokesperson from PiNC, said: "We have openly criticised the City Council in the past but had what we thought to be a constructive meeting last month where we were attempting to create a healthier relationship between the Council and the community.

"We were encouraged to apply to the Council for a small amount of funding and the use of gazebos and tables for the event.

"We were told that even if funds are not available there is a large supply of tents and tables that can be donated to support community efforts in Carlisle.

"We were disappointed to hear funding wasn’t available but we run all our events with no funding so this wasn’t an issue for us.

"When we then asked about borrowing some tables we were told that the council were unwilling to support the event and we are not being given access to tables and tents.

"This doesn’t come as a huge surprise to us, as we have been openly critical of the council and council members previously, but we believe that the public and minority groups should be able to discuss what needs to be improved by councils without the council retaliating by trying to repress those groups.

"How can communities improve when councils cannot engage in positive and constructive relationships?

"Their behaviour here tells us that the Council put their personal prejudice against people and groups before supporting cultural events that are good for the city they represent.

"Carlisle has the potential to be a brilliant city but not with the current council at the helm."

A spokesperson from Carlisle City Council said: “When we’re approached for funding and support for community-organised events, we ask that an application is put forward setting out what support is requested.

"This process is needed as funding for these events comes from the council’s budget and is funded by our tax payers.

“The community events budget is limited and we are unable to provide financial support to all applicants.

"In this instance the application for grant funding was unsuccessful as was the request for ‘value in kind’.

"Value in kind results in a cost to the council as it includes staff costs, transportation costs etc when hiring out equipment.

"It is not possible to ‘donate’ equipment without incurring a cost.”