IT'S BEEN 25 years since Manchester Pride began its journey from HIV fundraiser to become a 'beacon of light' for the city's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community.
Pride will mark its milestone year with the usual rainbow-dipped celebrations over the bank holiday weekend, this time with Sir Ian McKellen in tow. Many will be in a reflective mood. What a difference a quarter-of-a-century makes.
Manchester’s festival is a beacon of light for the rest of the world
2015 will be remembered as the year huge strides were made for LGBT rights.
Many will remember where they were when President Obama announced ‘love is love’ and legalised gay marriage across the US. Others will still be beaming with national pride following Ireland's landslide vote in favour of legalising gay marriage.
Many of us will have joined debates this year about the treatment of transgendered people following Caitlyn Jenner's well-documented transformation.
Sir Ian McKellen will lead the Pride Parade 2015So, at such a turning point for global LGBT rights, the question of whether we need a Gay Pride at all is an interesting one. 'Why don't we have a straight pride' is a common response to such Pride celebrations.
Ahead of the big weekender, Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, reflects on the past year and tells us why it's not time to set down the rainbow flag.
Why is Pride still so important to Manchester?
“Over the past 25 years there’s been major steps made for LGBT equality, especially this year, but there’s still so much further to go, more emphasis needs to be placed on education. Our strongest battle here in Manchester is with hate crime and homophobia. The LGBT community continually attracts instances of extreme violence, and a lot of this is down to a lack of understanding.
“The festival remains a great example of all the work we have done and continue to do. The parade is a highlight of Manchester’s social calendar. Here, we reflect on how far we’ve come and all the trailblazers that have helped us get to this point in society.
“Our city is proud to have a Gay Festival, and we have so many straight allies that support and celebrate with us. Manchester’s festival is a beacon of light for the rest of the world.”
Mark FletcherSome people don't believe we need a Gay Village - what's your response?
“It’s a naïve way of thinking. It’s naïve to think that because we’re greatly more integrated that we could ever eradicate the Gay Village and Pride. We can’t forget the individuals who paved the way for the LGBT community.
It wasn’t so long ago that the Gay Village was still very underground, secretive. Today Canal Street is internationally famous, Manchester has embraced integration, but much like a singles bar, or a Polish bar, Canal Street still provides a safe haven for those learning a little more about themselves.”
What do you most look forward to at Pride?
"I always look forward to the parade. Each year I am completely overwhelmed by the support. It’s a family event and it’s always wonderful to see people smiling and standing in solidarity.
"Fundraising remains at the heart of Manchester Pride. Each year we move from strength to strength and we create even more opportunities."
Find out more about Manchester Pride and its fundraising on the website
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