A GRASSROOTS LGBT+ charity in Southampton has announced the appointment of human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell as its second patron.

A spokesperson for People's Pride Southampton (PPS) which only became a registered charity in October 2020 said they hope to spread the word about the support they offer to LGBT people including an outreach stall in the city centre.

In a statement, a representative of PPS said: "People’s Pride Southampton (PPS) is pleased to announce that Mr. Peter Tatchell has become Patron of People’s Pride Southampton, becoming our little charity’s second patron, alongside Dr, Sophie Cook.

"This reflects the values shared by PPS and Peter Tatchell. Those values include championing rights of LGBTQ+ people and offering accessible and inclusive events for them and their allies amongst his 54+ years of activism within the LGBT+ community."

Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, said: "I'm honoured to be a patron of People's Pride Southampton. It works the year round to support the LGBTQ+ community and is hosting a completely accessible and inclusive Pride event, with no commercial sponsors”.

“LGBTQ+ people have made great gains but there are still issues to win, including a ban on attempts to ‘cure’ LGBTQ+ people and an end to the demonisation of trans men and women by the tabloid press. Even today nearly half of all young LGBTQ+ people say they were bullied at school and a third of LGBTQ+ people have been victims of hate crime. The battle of LGBTQ+ respect and dignity is not over yet.”

Levi Wellman, chairwoman of People’s Pride Southampton, added: “As chairwoman of People's Pride Southampton, I welcome Peter Tatchell wholeheartedly. It is very motivating for myself, and the charity as a whole, to welcome [a second patron] with an ethos as well aligned as ours.”.