Plans are underway for Sheppey’s first-ever gay pride event.

Pride events, which are held all over the world, celebrate the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) individuals, and recognise the struggles these communities face.

Long-established prides such as Brighton and London attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year – and now a group of Islanders are hoping to bring rainbow-coloured joy to Sheppey.

Steven Pullen, 30, of Minster, is raising funds for the event and a committee is in the process of being selected.

He said: “Sheppey hasn’t got anything like this.

“We recently had Canterbury Pride, which was great and had so much support, so we decided to organise one for the Island.”

The former Minster College pupil said the group was awaiting confirmation for Sheppey Pride to be set up with Companies House as a not-for-profit community interest company.

“It’s early days,” Steven said. “But the application is in. We’ve been speaking to London and Northern Pride, they’ve given us advice and ideas of what we can do. We’re toying with the idea of splitting the event into three so we can reach the whole Island.

“We’d like to have a big parade in the town, as well as something in Leysdown and Queenborough.

“We’d have local bands playing into the evening, perhaps a sponsored run, have lots of t-shirts made and so on. It will be a feel-good event for everyone.”

Steven hopes it will take place next August and will help more Islanders to “come out”.

“We’d like to have a big parade in the town, as well as something in Leysdown and Queenborough" - Steven Pullen

“There are lots of people on the Island who are gay but no one really knows because people are scared of coming out – stigma needs to change. We want to make the Island a more appealing place for everybody to live. We all have the right to be happy and comfortable in our own skin.”

“With Sheppey Pride, we want to raise more awareness for the LGBT+ community and put Sheppey on the map again.”

All profits made will be distributed to Sheppey charities.

Steven said: “We would also like to hear from businesses willing to help in any way, from donations to selling pride items, as well as educating the public about the LBGT community.”

For more information, visit www.sheppeypride.co.uk or search for ‘Sheppey Pride’ on Facebook.