Another succesful Manchester Pride Event 2013

On Saturday, the streets of Manchester were lined with thousands of people for the spectacular Manchester Pride parade. The city was a riot of colour and noise as the rainbow flags stayed high, and around a hundred different floats paraded down Deansgate, through Manchester, and into the Gay Village. Community groups were joined by hundreds of police officers, firefighters, NHS workers. Dozens of students, church groups, sports teams and city businesses also joined in the celebrations. John Stewart, Manchester Pride's chief executive, said: "It's great to be able to share our celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender life with the whole city and recognise the contribution that LGBT people make to the spirit and diversity of Greater Manchester. "This year's parade was one of the biggest, with over 100 entries from 99 groups and organisations including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community groups, charities and businesses, trades unions, political parties, public sector organisations and some of the country's biggest businesses. The indoor arena was also a huge success with thousands flocking in for the evening high energy dance experience. By day the Lifestyle Expo was popular with thousands of people chatting to organisations and charities such as the Lesbian and gay foundation, Outdoor Lads and Pride Angel. Erika co-founder of Pride Angel said 'This year was fantastic in the fact that we had so many more success stories. We had four couples who came up to speak with us to tell us their good news, that they had conceived with a donor through Pride Angel. It is always rewarding for us to hear such exciting news'. Read more about finding a sperm donor or co-parent at www.prideangel.com

Pride Angel at this years Manchester Pride

This year’s Manchester Pride was a great success with thousands of people who marched through the streets of Manchester for the annual Pride parade. More than 100 floats made their way through the city centre, setting off from Deansgate at 13:00 BST. Crowds of people waved rainbow flags and Pride Angel flags. The floats travelled through the city and finished on Whitworth Street, just outside the gay village. The parade was part of the Pride Big Weekend, the festival held each year to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) life. Events started on Friday and ran until Monday. This year's parade theme was "Queer'd Science" in honour of computer pioneer Alan Turing. The gay codebreaker was convicted of gross indecency in 1952, when homosexual acts were illegal in the UK. He died from cyanide poisoning two years later and it was ruled at his inquest that he had committed suicide. Manchester's Pride festival began in 1990 as a collection of bring-and-buy stalls outside a pub. As well as the parade, the festival now includes a weekend of live music, including this year from Steps, Amelia Lily and Alison Moyet, and a candlelit vigil to remember those who have died after contracting HIV, or are living with the condition. Manchester Pride also included ‘The Lifestyle Expo’ which had another busy and successful year with 50 stalls, covering information on community groups, parenting, health and sports. Erika from Pride Angel said ‘ We were delighted to speak with so many people who came to chat with us over the weekend and it was so lovely to see 5 babies who had been created with the help of Pride Angel. It certainly makes all our hard work worthwhile’. Read more about gay and lesbian parenting options at www.prideangel.com