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Published: August 14, 2023 by mbelfield
As Manchester gears up for its annual Manchester Pride Festival, celebrating diversity, inclusion, and LGBTQ+ life, LGBT Foundation is excited to announce its complementary line-up of free events taking place ahead of, during, and after the festival.
In partnership with Manchester Pride, LGBT Foundation are excited to join in the annual Manchester Pride Parade and co-host Community Lane. Community Lane will be a vibrant hub at the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village for community groups, charities, and public sector organisations, promoting LGBTQ+ positivity, unity, liberation, and joy.
Around these activities, LGBT Foundation has put together a brilliant programme of community-focused events aimed at fostering social connections and promoting health and well-being. Running from Thursday, 17th August, to Thursday, 31st August, the programme reflects LGBT Foundation’s commitment as a national charity to LGBTQ+ health and well-being and creating spaces where LGBTQ+ people can flourish. The programme offers safe and joyous online and offline spaces for the community to celebrate Manchester Pride in a way that is safe, healthy, judgement-free and supportive.
Highlights of the programme include:
Creativity through Activism: Get ready for Pride at LGBT Foundation’s Community Café. With the support of LazyPins, unleash your creativity by making banners, placards, T-shirts, and other artistic items reflecting your activism.
LGBT Foundation Archive Pop-Up: Queerly Beloved: Immerse yourself in LGBTQ+ history at Manchester Central Library. Discover items from LGBT Foundation’s extensive archive, celebrating the transformative power of the dance floor for LGBTQ+ communities through the decades.
My First Pride: An enjoyable evening of socialising and games tailored for first-time attendees of Pride events. This is the perfect chance to make new connections, find like-minded friends, and celebrate Manchester Pride Festival together with people like you.
Sapphic Showcase: Celebrate LGBTQ+ women’s talent in Greater Manchester at HOME Manchester. Enjoy performances from headliners and open mic slots, creating an event full of diversity and artistic expression.
Queer Connections – A Sober Celebration of Pride!: Open to all LGBTQ+ people and allies, with DJs from the recovery community, free refreshments, non-alcoholic drinks, a quiet space and our partners Sober Gay Social.
Canvas of Unity: Celebrating Gender and Connection in Pride through Art: Experience this empowering and therapeutic, art event and express your journey of self-growth and identity through various art forms. Contribute to a group art piece or create your own; leaving with cherished mementoes of the experience.
Dr Paul Martin OBE, Chief Executive of LGBT Foundation, expressed excitement about the events, stating, “We are thrilled to present these diverse and inclusive events that celebrate LGBTQ+ communities and identities. As Manchester Pride approaches, we hope these activities will foster creativity, build strong connections, and provide a safe space for self-expression and exploration.
Our goal is to ensure that everyone can have a joyous, positive and memorable Pride experience, and a Pride that celebrates and champions the power of equality, acceptance, and visibility for all LGBTQ+ people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Furthermore, during August, LGBT Foundation will be offering more of its life-saving range of health and wellbeing services, which include sexual health testing and information drop-in services, sober spaces, and peer support groups for those in recovery or making changes around drug and alcohol use. Additionally, post-Pride wellbeing services will be available for those seeking support or looking to reset after the celebrations have ended.
Jax Effiong, Deputy Chair of LGBT Foundation, emphasised the importance of health and well-being before, during, and after Pride, saying, “Manchester Pride is without a doubt a fantastic moment to celebrate who we are. But it is important to recognise that it can be a difficult time for many. As a leading health and wellbeing charity, we are dedicated to providing the necessary support and safe spaces for everyone attending Manchester Pride, both physically and emotionally.”
I am incredibly proud that the health and wellbeing is front and centre of this year’s Manchester Pride offering from LGBT Foundation. Recognising that Pride events can evoke both joy and struggle within our communities is a massive first step in helping us overcome any barriers and fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to celebrate their authentic selves.”
LGBT Foundation is proud to present a dynamic and inclusive array of events that amplify the vibrancy, hope, joy and spirit of LGBTQ+ communities. These gatherings offer spaces of creativity, unity, and empowerment where people can celebrate their identities, connect with others, and take hold of their health and well-being.
For a full overview of events and services offered by LGBT Foundation before, during and after the Manchester Pride visit lgbt.foundation/mcrpride2023
Stay updated with the latest information from LGBT Foundation by following their social media pages: Twitter: @LGBTfdn | Instagram: @lgbtfdn | Facebook: @LGBTFdn
You can also subscribe to their newsletters at lgbt.foundation/sign-up-to-our-newsletters.
If you need assistance, advice, or someone to talk to about your health and well-being, whether during Manchester Pride or any time of the year, please don’t hesitate to contact the LGBT Foundation helpline at 0345 3 30 30 30.
