Join us at Manchester Pride this Weekend

Join us at this years Manchester Pride, for celebrations in Manchester's world famous Gay Village as we mark the 25th anniversary of charity fundraising events celebrating LGBT life in Manchester.* From full Big Weekend Tickets and Day Tickets to Children's Tickets and Platinum Passes, there's a ticket with your name all over it!
There's a fanastic line up this year, with Texas performing Friday evening, Alesha Dixon and DJ Fresh on Saturday, Danni Minogue and Atomic Kitten on Sunday and Union J on Monday, along with many more fantastic performers.
The Pride Parade will set off at 1pm on the Saturday. The theme for this year is 'Devotion.' Manchester is a city devoted to embracing and celebrating diversity, especially the LGBT communities that have helped shaped Manchester's cultural heritage and landscape over the centuries. We want people to celebrate the fact that Manchester is proud of its LGBT history and shares in its future. We want people to shout about who or what they are 'Devoted to...' For example 'I'm Devoted to my wife or girlfriend,' 'Manchester is devoted to showing its support to its LGBT community,' whoever or whatever you're devoted to - the Manchester Pride Parade is the perfect platform to show your 'Devotion!'
The Expo provides you with the opportunity to get up-close and personal with visitors to Manchester Pride. Situated in the in-door arena this hugely popular community space gives exhibitors the chance to showcase their organisation, spend face-to face time with visitors, promote goods or services and carry out consultations.
The expo is ideal for local community groups, public sector organisations and commercial businesses, and is open over The Big Weekend from Saturday - Monday between 11:00am and 5:00pm.
Why not visit Pride Angel at the Expo to chat over your parenting options.

Liverpool Pride begins fundraising for 2012 to keep event free

Liverpool Pride organisers have said they will begin fundraising efforts for next summer’s event in December of this year to ensure the day remains free.

This is the earliest the event organisers have had to begin collecting money in the city’s history.

Liverpool City Council has said financial constraints may mean it is forced to cut funding to festivals in the city, though organisers say they will continue to work with the authority.

Over 40,000 people attended the event this year, double the 2010 figure of 20,000. A study completed by Liverpool Pride showed that 2011’s festival generated a total spend of over £2.6 million for the local economy.

Organisers are now asking local individuals and businesses to help ensure the event continues to be free in 2012.

James Davies, one of the trustees of Liverpool Pride said: “We’re delighted to be able to announce Liverpool Pride 2012 and can’t wait to start on the road to creating something that is truly special once more.

Although we face some funding cuts due to wider cuts in public spending, we’re determined to make Liverpool Pride 2012 even bigger and better than ever before and can only do that with the help of Liverpool, as a council, as a community and as a business collective.

“We’re grateful to the City Council and to the likes of the European Regional Development Fund as well as our sponsors for all of their support thus far and hope that, despite budget cuts, we can continue to work with them in the coming years.

“We made the festival into a massive success in 2011 even though we faced a 60% cut in our funding from the City Council and we’re determined to do it again even if further cuts should occur.”

Fundraising events begin in December with the Camp as Christmas evening at The Dome on Renshaw Street. The event features erstwhile X Factor contenders Diva Fever, who had to pull out of this year’s Pride event after triple-booking themselves.

Earlier this month, Liverpool unveiled the UK’s first gay street signs. Liverpool Pride is asking local businesses and individuals to run fundraising events including bring and buy sales, cake bake offs and sponsored drag days.

Article: 25th November 2011 www.pinknews.co.uk

WIN £100 and chance to perform at Yorkshire’s Award-Winning Pride festival!

Calderdale Pride and Bar Place will be teaming up for the first heat of Pride’s Got Talent on Saturday 3rd December.
Pride Secretary Vikki Kitson said “We’re opening things up this time around and giving people a say in who and what they want to see onstage at Pride 2012”.

“This contest is a first for us, and we’re especially keen to invite bands, singers, dancers, comedians, drag and cabaret acts along”. “The audience on the night will be invited to vote for their favourite performer or performers, with the winner or winners of the first heat going through to the semi-finals in February”.

“If you consider yourself to be a natural talent or even if you just enjoy performing for fun, then please contact us to register”. The overall winner of Calderdale Pride’s Got Talent will win themselves a £100 cash prize and the opportunity to perform centre-stage at Calderdale Pride 2012 on Saturday 16th June.

“Over 9,000 people attended Calderdale Pride in 2011, and we fully expect to match that in 2012. This is an incredible opportunity for anyone who wants to perform in a great venue before a fantastic crowd, and alongside an incredible stage line-up” Vikki added.

The first heat will be held at Bar Place Hotel and Restaurant, Hebden Bridge on Saturday 3rd December from 7.30pm. All entrants must be over 18 years of age.

Vikki can be contacted by email at: calderdalepridesecretary@o2email.co.uk