Unveiling the Riveting and All-Encompassing UK Auto Extravaganza
The British Motor Museum in Gaydon played host to the groundbreaking car event, Petrol & Pride, on a sunny Friday afternoon in July 2021. This unique gathering brought together over 350 LGBTQ+ car enthusiasts and allies, marking a significant step forward in promoting diversity and inclusion within the automotive community.
The idea for Petrol & Pride originated from publishers Darren Styles and editor Cliff Joannou of Attitude magazine, with Bentley's comms director Wayne Bruce playing a pivotal role in planning and staging the event. Bentley's events team, organizers of the Silverstone Classic, were also co-opted into the planning process.
The event was a resounding success, with approximately 180 cars pre-registered and all registered vehicles attending. The British Motor Museum, with its ease of access, ample parking, and attractions, was an ideal venue for the event. Due to the high number of attendees, more parking was needed, and grassy areas surrounding the museum were utilised.
The show featured a diverse display of cars, with various makes, models, prices, ages, and pedigrees on display. A rainbow array of 21 cars occupied the front row, symbolising the event's commitment to inclusivity. Cars of all colours participated, with Bentley's CEO, Frank-Steffen Walliser, driving a bronze-orange Bentley Continental GT to the event, which was fittingly reserved the last space in the 200-car parking area.
Support for Petrol & Pride came from major manufacturers like Bentley, Jaguar, and McLaren, demonstrating the growing acceptance and support within the car world for LGBTQ+ communities. The event provided a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ people to share their passion for cars without fear or discrimination, reflecting a broader industry shift towards embracing diversity both commercially and socially.
Highlights of the meeting included networking opportunities for LGBTQ+ car lovers and allies, a positive atmosphere promoting openness and inclusion in a traditionally male and heteronormative industry, and the opportunity for LGBTQ+ attendees to be themselves openly, challenging past experiences of masking identity at typical car meets.
Petrol & Pride is aimed at combining the car passions of members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies, creating a welcoming space where everyone can celebrate their love for automobiles. This first-of-its-kind event demonstrated the power of unity and the importance of fostering an inclusive environment within the automotive world, combining automotive enthusiasm with Pride spirit in a unique cultural celebration.
[1] Attitude Magazine - Petrol & Pride: The groundbreaking car show for the LGBTQ+ community [3] The Guardian - Petrol & Pride: the car show where everyone can be themselves [4] Autocar - Petrol & Pride: the new car show in Britain celebrates diversity and inclusion
- The British Motor Museum was host to the innovative car event, Petrol & Pride, showcasing a diverse display of cars and providing a welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies.
- Major automotive manufacturers, such as Bentley, Jaguar, and McLaren, showed their support for Petrol & Pride, demonstrating growing acceptance and inclusivity within the car industry.
- The event offered networking opportunities, fostering an atmosphere of openness and promotion of inclusion in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
- Petrol & Pride, aimed at car enthusiasts within the LGBTQ+ community, combined automotive passion with Pride spirit, marking a significant step forward in promoting diversity and inclusion within the automotive community.
- The event was featured in various media outlets, including Attitude Magazine, The Guardian, and Autocar, further highlighting the importance of fostering an inclusive environment in the automotive world and celebrating the love for automobiles among the LGBTQ+ community.
