Reading Pride Announce Festival Line-Up - 30th August 2014

<< Pride Angel at Manchester Pride 2014 | Reading Pride Announce Festival Line-Up - 30th August 2014 August 29, 2014 21:00 by PrideAngelAdmin Reading Pride have announced the full programme and stage line-up for the 2014 Pride Parade & Festival on Saturday 30th August inspired by this year’s theme of ‘Musicals’. The day starts with the traditional parade through Reading Town Centre leaving the Civic Centre at 11.30am passing through Broad Street and Forbury Gardens before arriving at King’s Meadow for the opening of the Pride Festival by the Mayor of Reading at 12 noon. Headline acts on the main stage include Sam Callahan of X-Factor Fame, Amanda Wilson of the Freemasons and local favourite Nicolette Street, all hosted by The Joes. There will be a full line-up on the main stage throughout day starting with local jazz and swing band Funk Lab and including Cabaret favourties Misty Lee, Topping and Butch, Lola Lasagna and Sandra London as well as Reading’s own Wilma Fingadoo who will be hosting throughout the afternoon. There will also be upcoming local talent featured including Luke Upton [winner of Has Reading Got Talent? 2013], the ever-popular Feryl [previously known as Benji] and Markie. Other attractions at the Festival include a ‘Village Green’ youth and family zone including Disco Dome and other attractions, an extensive Marketplace, food and drink outlets, karaoke stage and funfair as well as a VIP area and Trans picnic area. This year’s VIP Area has received a make-over in line with the Musicals theme with red carpet and glitz to be expected with dedicated bar service and food outlet. VIP wristbands are available on the day priced £12 each or in advance priced £10 from www.readingpride.co.uk Chair of Reading Pride Andrew Adams said ‘This year has seen significant progress in rights for LGBT+ people in the UK but there is more to be done to build a truly equal society, while in many parts of the world we see people continuing to be persecuted for their sexuality. This year’s Reading Pride will be a great day out for the whole community while showing solidarity for those who are still prevented from expressing their love for one another, wherever they may be’. The festival runs until 7.00pm. Entry is free and the entire community is welcome. For further information visit www.readingpride.co.uk Article: 29th August 2014 www.readingpride.co.uk For all media enquiries contact chair@readingpride.co.uk or call 0844 3570124 / 07738 699522. Read more about gay parenting at www.prideangel.com

Pride Angel at Manchester Pride Expo

Manchester Pride Expo Saturday 23rd - Monday 25th August. The Expo is one of the community's favourite places to be during the Big Weekend! Find out about joining a sports group, getting advice about health and wellbeing or enter some competitions with our partners. There are over 40 stalls representing LGBT organisations and supporters right in the heart of the site. Visit Pride Angel at the Expo Thinking about becoming a parent? Looking for a donor or co-parent? Or want to help others by donating sperm or eggs? Come along and talk to Pride Angel, at the Manchester Expo, where they will be happy to talk through your options. Pride Angel is a leading connection website and fertility portal, bringing together donors and recipients throughout UK and worldwide. Members can register for free, create their own personal profile and contact users through our internal messaging system. We have over 35,000 members registered , to include lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual. Members are able to search donors, co-parents or recipients by criteria such as hair colour, eye colour, sexuality, the amount of contact if any they wish to have with a child, and whether they wish to be a legal parent or not legally responsible. Fortunately the law has improved within recent years to make legal parenthood much clearer, meaning that a donor can donate to a married or lesbian couple without the worry of being legally or financially responsible. So why not give the gift of life and make someone’s dream of a family become a reality. Creating families with Pride.

Alternative Parenting Show to take place in September 2014

Europe’s biggest event for prospective gay parents, the annual Alternative Parenting Show is set to take place again in London on Saturday 21 September 2014. Returning to the Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden, London, the event is aimed at anyone – including LGBT singles and couples – who wish to explore today’s different routes to parenthood. There will be exhibitors from agencies from all over the world, including international surrogacy providers, legal advisors and adoption/fostering agencies. There will also be a series of seminars from experts on topics such as surrogacy law and practice, legal issues around sperm donation and co-parenting, and fertility issues for older women. Over 40 exhibitors have so far been confirmed for this year’s show, with the London Women’s Clinic acting as headline sponsor. Also attending will be former Coronation Street actor, Charlie Condou [pictured], who will talk of his own experiences as a gay dad to two young children. The event’s organiser, Sarah Garrett said, ‘Figures realised by the Office for National Statistics show that in 2014 families come in all different shapes and sizes and that is certainly going to continue as single men and women, as well as same-sex couples, are exploring ways in which to start a family. ‘Ten years ago the idea that a gay person could start a family was an unrealistic objective for many. I'm pleased that is changing. ‘The Alternative Parenting Show helps would-be mums and dads battle through the minefield of having children and I'm glad to be hosting it for the third year running – there is a packed programme on the day and a record number of exhibitors providing expert advice.’ You can find more information on the show at www.alternativeparenting.co.uk Article: www.gaystarnews.com 9th August 2014

Telling your child they are donor conceived

If you are thinking of creating your family through donated gametes - sperm, egg or embryo - or you already have children, you may have wondered how best to explain their biological origins to them as they are growing up. Donor Conception Network may be able to help you. DCN is a national charity which was started over 20 years ago by five families who had children through sperm donation and wanted to support each other and encourage others to be open with their children. Now there are 1700 member families and individuals, including lesbian and single parent families, heterosexual families, donor-conceived adults and those who are still thinking about whether donor conception is right for them. Some are pursuing treatment in the UK, others abroad; and their donors may be known, id release or anonymous. The DCN website (www.dcnetwork.org) includes amongst other things personal stories and a bookshop selling DCN publications about how to talk to your children about donor conception, and books for your children themselves. DCN also runs workshops open to all, both for those preparing to become parents, and for those who already have children.It is a chance to explore all the issues in a safe and confidential setting; the facilitators are skilled in running groups, and equally importantly are all parents of donor-conceived children. There are separate groups for heterosexual couples, and for lesbian couples and single women, as people often say they welcome the opportunity to talk things over with others in similar situations. One recent participant on the Preparation for Parenthood workshop stated: 'Thoughtfully put together with a good balance of factual, practical content whilst maintaining focus on the emotional and psychological impact of donor conception.' DCN believes that the more open parents are about donor conception the better it is for the health of individuals and families. If you would like to find out more, look on the website, or phone 020 7278 2608, or email enquiries@dcnetwork.org if you would like to know more or discuss something in confidence. Article: 6th August 2014 www.dcnetwork.org/