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For several decades, the Manchester Pride Festival has been a key part of the annual LGBT calendar in Greater Manchester. It has been a time for the LGBT communities and our allies to celebrate just how far we have come on the road to equality, and re-energise ourselves for the struggles ahead.

In a world which often tells us there is something wrong with who we are and who we love, it has been a weekend of coming together as a community to celebrate our richly diverse identities. It has also been an amazing party weekend and will always hold a place of special significance in many of our hearts.

As most of you will know due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the Manchester Pride Gay Village Party and Manchester Pride Live at Mayfield Depot has been cancelled this year. We understand that, in a year that has been so challenging already, this absence will be felt. We know that Manchester Pride Festival is something that people from all LGBT communities and our allies look forward to throughout the year.

Manchester Pride have organised a brand new, never done before Alternative Manchester Pride Festival promises something for everyone who plans to celebrate Pride at home in Greater Manchester and beyond this August Bank Holiday weekend.

Our sense of Pride comes from our collectiveness, our unity and our resilience. This will never fade away, this will still be with us all. At Team LGBT Foundation we've put together a series of online events, activities and support to bring the Pride into your home this August Bank Holiday. We've got bingo, we've got a cafe, we've got poetry, we've got everything!

What's on?

Virtual Community Cafe

Pour yourself a cuppa and hang out with special guests from LGBT Foundation in half an hour slots from 11-2pm each day. Full details can be found here. Please use the same Zoom link for every session: https://zoom.us/j/93061984719

Meeting ID: 930 6198 4719
Passcode: 053036

An LGBT Foundation host and moderation will be present at all times. Our Virtual Community Cafe schedule is:

Friday 28th August - 11am-2pm

Saturday 29th August 11am-2pm

Sunday 30th August - 11am-2pm

Monday 31st August - 11am-2pm

Pride As Protest: Trans Power

Whilst modern Prides may have shifted towards celebration and partying, our roots always have been, and always will be, in protest, community action, and a fight for equality. This is a movement that has been lead by trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people, and we cannot forget this. With an exciting line up of guests, we'll be hosting a panel discussion on how the Pride movement has changed over the years, and why its so important that we remember our roots. To sign up for tickets, click here. Note you must get a ticket in order to receive the Zoom link for the event.

Sunday 30th August - 2:30pm-4pm

Biconic Bingo

Get ready for virtual bingo but with a biconic twist! This was so popular last time, so we’ve brought it back! Forget two little ducks 22 and dancing queen 17 – we’ll be using customised bingo cards featuring bicons (bi icons), prominient pans, and notable non-monosexuals! Book your free place by clicking here or emailing [email protected]. Please note this email is monitored until 2 hours proceeding the event.

Monday 31st August - 4pm on Zoom

Makeup With Ria

Get your glow on! A fun make up tutorial with our very own Ria celebrating Pride with lots of glitter and some tips and tricks to make your make-up look flawless!

Saturday 29th August - 12pm on Instagram Live @LGBTFDN

Fit For Pride Club

This whole body workout on ZOOM will be beginner friendly, with progressions for anyone who feels like a challenge! Fiona is confident that you’ll leave this session covered in sweat, with your spirits lifted, feeling FIT FOR PRIDE! And you don't even have to leave your home!

For the session you don't need any fancy equipment, just a couple of bottles of water or tins of beans and your lovely selves. Book your place now by clicking here or emailing [email protected] with Fit For Pride in the subject line.

Saturday 29th August - 11am on Zoom

Write For Pride - a Spoken Word Poetry Workshop

Write For Pride Poetry workshop - A series of creative and playful writing exercises designed to build confidence and inspire new ways of approaching poetry. No previous writing experience needed.

This is your chance to try something new or share some of the wonderful poetry that sits gathering dust on your laptop. Spoken Word is a wonderful way to express yourself and this will be a safe and welcoming space to do just that.

If you don't want to share your work, don't be put off, there is no obligation to do so, you can just join in and enjoy everyone else's words. This workshop if for you to flex your creative muscles and have huge fun at the same time. Places will be limited on this so book your place early by clicking here emailing [email protected] with Write with Pride in the subject line.

Sunday 30th August - 4pm on Zoom

Make Your Own Pride Bracelets

Make your own Pride bracelet with a free kit! We’ll send you everything you need to make a super easy but super-duper looking pride bracelet, and then you can join us on Zoom as we go through the technique. It’s very easy to pick up and you’ll be making your own bracelet in no time! This event is family friendly as this method is easy enough for all ages to pick up. Show off your pride and your handiwork! Note we regret that this event is now SOLD OUT.

Sunday 30th August - 11am on Zoom

LGBT Histories Quiz, hosted by Drag Superstar Cheddar Gorgeous and Special Guests

Pride in Ageing and Southway Housing present Drag Yourself Out – LGBT Histories Quiz! A unique opportunity to test our your LGBT histories knowledge with a world famous Drag Queen and Manchester legend. The session for over 50s during Manchester Pride weekend is part of the Drag Yourself Out project, which aims to increase social connectivity for gay, bi and trans men over the age of 50. You will need access to Zoom, an app available for smartphone, tablet or computer which allows people to connect via video. To receive details to join the session please register your interest by clicking here or emailing: [email protected].

Sunday 30th August - 2pm-3:30pm on Zoom

Alternative Manchester Pride Virtual Parade

Come and see team LGBT Foundation join with our communities as part of the Alternative Manchester Pride Parade. The theme this year is March For Peace, and it'll be a time to come together, respect the labels, embrace differences, and to recognise that everyone deserves the right to be who they are and live their lives in peace.

Saturday 29th August

Alternative Manchester Pride Vigil

The heart of Manchester Pride, taking a moment to remember those lost to HIV and AIDS and join together to fight the epidemic worldwide and the stigma that still exists, we'll be joining the Alternative Manchester Pride Vigil. The Candlelit Vigil also provides a space to remember those who are suffering and those who are persecuted, presenting an opportunity to stand together in a united front as we recognise the many challenges that are still faced by LGBT communities, both here in the UK and around the world.

Monday 31st August

Helpline and Netreach

We understand that for many people in our communities, this August Bank Holiday weekend will be a particularly challenging time in what has already been an extraordinarily difficult year.

Our support helpline will be operating until 2am from Friday to Monday. We will be here if you need us to offer support and advice on a range of topics - our service is non-judgement, and we are here to talk through whatever is on your mind. Call us on 0345 3 30 30 30.

Support

If you require support to access any of our events, or if you need any further information, please email [email protected] or call us on 0345 3 30 30 30.