Mr Davies had been quoted by the BBC saying: "I have nothing whatsoever against gays and lesbians, what they do in their private lives is absolutely fine… I don't think councils should be spending money on them parading through town advertising their sexuality."
But appearing on Radio Sheffield on Monday, it is not clear if Mr Davies can fulfil his manifesto. On an interview with BBC Sheffield Mr Davies admitted to not knowing the annual turnover of the event in Doncaster.
Phelim Mac Cafferty, National Spokesperson for LGBTGreens stated:
"Peter Davies, the English Democrat mayor of Doncaster insists that Pride in Doncaster is some sort of sexuality advertisement. The language of his comments should worry everyone who campaigned against the Tories hated homophobic Section 28 with its insidious language prohibiting the 'promotion of homosexuality'. The logical conclusion of his comments is twofold: it conforms to the lazy stereotype of gay men needing to promote their sexuality to lure willing 'victims', and that LGBT people shouldn't be allowed to have a Pride parade at all.
"Pride events throughout Europe were born out of the LGBT community being repeatedly instructed to be ashamed of the un-christian paths they had 'chosen'. Pride is now about the LGBT community's right to be visible. Pride is an important part of our struggle to be given the rights of a human being. Of the 365 days of the year, yes one and even if it is just one of those days should be about the LGBT population of Doncaster.
"Only last week, police authorities announced that the reported number of homophobic hate crimes is on the increase. With the BNP in office for the Yorkshire and Humberside region in Brussels now is the time to state unequivocally: lgbt people deserve the right to dignity and the right to lives free from harassment. For every person who is not yet out, events like Pride help them understand that they are not alone and are an incredibly important part of being visible.
"The reassuring news at this time from Doncaster Pride is that the manifesto commitment from Peter Davies of cutting funding belongs to him and not Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council. As far as the Pride organisers in Doncaster are concerned, the council is still supportive of their Pride event.
Phelim concluded:
"Like Belfast Pride last year, it took Iris Robinson's calls for the lgbt community to 'see a psychiatrist' that led to the best attended Pride in Belfast 's history. I'd hate to think that it will only take a similar tactic to convince Mr Davies that the LGBT community of Doncaster deserve equality and respect.
"In the meantime LGBT Greens say: get to Doncaster for Pride on 16th August!"
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