30th August 2021
In Manchester, the nearest city to me in the UK, the August bank holiday overflows with the collective joy of Pride weekend.
There's hope and resistance in the air as people come together to challenge intolerance and the false idea of difference based on who a person is attracted to and how they go about their intimate relationships. The saying LOVE IS LOVE speaks volumes.
The entertaining and spectacular array of floats and groups journeying along the Manchester Pride parade receives thousands in its audience. It's a delight to see people of all ages and backgrounds drawn to the weekend event.
That is, when the parade and other festivities take place. The organisers decided to cancel it this year, much to the frustration of many within the LGBTQ+. This was part of the reason for the protest (to read one account that goes into more detail see here)
I went along on Saturday 28th September to see what I could see and in hopes of getting a little of the electric atmosphere. I didn't plan to take photos or even see the Equality march. beforehand as knowledge of the march was gleaned from two folks I stumbled across in Castlefield.
I later saw the rainbow wings of one of these folks and was so grateful for the warm smile as they passed me during the parade. I was donning rainbow face paint and before finding the march admit to feeling self-conscious having lacked company and an overpriced ticket to seeming solidarity at Pride organised village’s events.
The essence of Pride was tangible from the march. I stayed to watch and thrived sitting and waiting for it to all start despite sitting alone. The atmosphere was sizzling with passion and belonging, and it was amusing seeing some of the signage on display.
This was an undeniably grassroots protest awakening passions within LGBTQ+ causes (and those attending in solidarity). The timing too was meaningful, since this was the first Pride since the assault of the global pandemic on all. The march unfolded as proud and strong, with a heartening number of young people stirred to walk.
It was a privilege to witness and below I offer a few images that capture a sense of the event from my vantage point where this began.
Before the march
During the march
Notes
If you're struggling with LGBTQ+ issues of any kind then please know you're not alone. I've been there myself. A starting point to see help can be found on Stonewall's page of LGBT+ inclusive organisations in the UK that can offer support.