On the behalf of the Beltane Fire Society (BFS) the charity’s board would like to issue the following statement on our stance towards inclusion, diversity and equality:

For over 25 years Beltane Fire Society (BFS) and  our events have been open to all and  intended as safe spaces for everyone. There is no equality for some without equality for all, and we are united in our determination to build a better world for every single person in our beautifully diverse family.

Following recent media attention to our casting of a woman as our Green Man we wish to clarify that for all of our court or other groups we have been gender-neutral when casting for at least 10 years – Our volunteers of all abilities and disabilities, race, gender and sexuality, and background are all welcomed and loved, and we support them wholeheartedly in any role they choose to play within the BFS community and festivals.

Furthermore, we know that unique challenges are faced by the communities that make up our volunteers and patrons every day and are committed to making adjustments and removing barriers to participation (for example by providing free or low income tickets) wherever possible.

We are conscious that there is always more we can do however, and so starting this year we have launched a Equality, Diversity and Inclusion working group to work with our board – we want to be clear that there is no place within BFS for transphobia, homophobia, racism, ableism or discrimination of any sort, and that hatred and intolerance have no home here.

Finally we’d like to reiterate our standing invitation to all to come celebrate the Celtic lunar calendar fire festivals with us as a witness, volunteer or even look to join our board

Header image: Gordon Veitch for Beltane Fire Society. All rights reserved.