Trafalgar Entertainment (TE) is celebrating PRIDE MONTH this June with a company-wide fundraising appeal for LGBTQ+ homelessness charity, akt.
akt (formerly the Albert Kennedy Trust) is a charity supporting LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 who are facing or experiencing homelessness or living in hostile environments.
Coming out, or being outed as LGBTQ+, can lead to young people being made homeless, and 24% of homeless young people identify as LGBTQ+.
The charity aims to find these young people safe homes, employment, education or training and to celebrate their identities to improve their life outcomes.
Every day throughout June, visitors to Trafalgar Entertainment’s UK venues including Trafalgar Theatre in London, The Chiswick Cinema, and TE’s 12 regional venues – New Theatre Cardiff, Cliffs Pavilion Southend, G Live Guildford, Orchard Theatre Dartford, Churchill Theatre Bromley, Wycombe Swan, Crewe Lyceum, Wyvern Theatre and Arts Centre Swindon, Beck Theatre Hayes, White Rock Theatre Hastings, and Palace Theatre Westcliff – will be able to donate directly to akt by scanning a QR code (displayed in venues) on their mobile phones.
If you’d like to support our fundraising efforts for akt, you can also donate to TE’s akt Just Giving Page.
Trafalgar Entertainment is also marking Pride month with a number of events throughout June. Southend Theatres has a stall at Chelmsford Pride on 25 June and The Orchard Theatre is hosting the first ever Dartford Pride from 30 June to 2 July.
The Chiswick Cinema is supporting the West London Queer Project (WLQP) and queer distributor Peccadillo with 5 screenings for Pride month plus the regular WLQP screenings. The films are Pride, Tangerine, Ammonite, The Bird Cage and Swan Song. The cinema will also have a Stonewall IPA for sale in the bar.
Trafalgar Releasing celebrates the life and work of legendary singer and LGBTQ+ icon George Michael on the big screen with George Michael Freedom Uncut, coming to cinemas worldwide on 22 June. The documentary, co-directed and narrated by George Michael himself, is the definitive statement on his life and features contributions from some of his closest friends and collaborators, including Sir Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Mark Ronson, and Naomi Campbell. The film release precedes the long-awaited re-release of George Michael’s 1996 album Older, available 8 July.
The film will also feature as part of the “Pride in London X Science Museum Late” event on 29 June from 6:30pm.
TE’s outrageously fun production of The Rocky Horror Show, also continues its World Tour throughout Pride month, with performances in Bristol, Southend, Stoke-on-Trent, Cambridge and Glasgow. Ready to thrill you with its frothy, fun and naughty moments, this is the boldest bash of them all! The perfect night out to celebrate Pride!
Rosemary Squire, TE’s Joint CEO, said: “Our industry is a wonderfully diverse world, where everyone has a part to play, and equality and inclusion is celebrated. Trafalgar Entertainment is delighted to be supporting akt throughout Pride month and we hope to raise awareness and funds for this essential charity to help change the fortunes of young LGBTQ+ people facing homelessness or difficult life situations.”
Carrie Reiners, akt’s Deputy CEO, replied: “akt is delighted to partner with Trafalgar Entertainment this Pride season. Their generous support and awareness raising through their numerous venues and activations will ensure that akt continues to be able to assist the increasing numbers of young LGBTQ+ people across the UK who face homelessness and abuse simply for being who they are. Their support allows akt to provide safe accommodation and support when and where it is needed most all across the UK.”