Help Some of the Unpaid Artists Affected by Manchester Pride’s Liquidation

Hi everyone,

I had worked with Manchester Pride this year on three major events:

A Main Stage performance slot, Hosting a VIP Brunch but most importantly, curating RunwayXBanksie, a fashion event supporting four up-and-coming designers — with 17 other talented, now-unpaid artists bringing it to life.

This year I truly believed things were changing for the better — more grassroots investment, more local artists, more community.

I was contracted on a 30-day payment schedule for myself and other contributors, and when the date came and went with no payment, I followed up again and again — only to be met with silence. Weeks later, the announcement came: Manchester Pride had gone into voluntary liquidation.

That meant that not only was my own payment gone, but so were the payments owed to the 17+ creatives who worked tirelessly on Runway x Banksie. Rent is due. Bills are due. And for many of us, this wasn’t just a gig — it was a lifeline.

We were proud to represent queer artistry at one of the UK’s biggest LGBTQIA+ celebrations. But now, we’re left picking up the financial and emotional pieces.

This GoFundMe aims to:

Support some of the independent artists, performers, and freelancers left unpaid after Manchester Pride’s liquidation.

Help cover lost wages, rent, and project costs that many of us paid out-of-pocket.

(If we go over) Rebuild a community-led queer fundraiser and an overall investment into further lost funds.

I believe Manchester Pride can (and should) be reborn — as something authentic, local, and led by the people it represents. But first, we need to take care of our own.

If you can, please donate, share, or simply spread the word. Every bit helps the queer artists who gave their all to this year’s Pride — and got nothing in return but an empty inbox and a broken heart.

TO BE CLEAR, THIS FUNDRAISER IS FOR BANKSIE & 17 OTHER PEOPLE WHO WORKED ON THE RUNWAY EVENT FOR MANCHESTER PRIDE. THIS IS NOT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT MANCHESTER PRIDE OWES ALL ITS COLLABORATORS. WE IMPLORE YOU TO DONATE TO MULTIPLE FUNDRAISERS AND SHARE ALL STORIES/LINKS WIDELY.

Thank you, truly.

— BANKSIE