A LEADING LGBTQ+ charity has unveiled ambitious plans for its 2022 festival, as it brings UK Pride to the North East.
The Northern Pride festival will return to Newcastle’s Town Moor from 22 to 24 July, with a packed programme of events planned for the lead up to the weekend.
And this year’s theme has been revealed as Remember, Resist, Rise Up, with organisers releasing a video preview made with local artists and activists to illustrate what this means to them.
Along with the Pride weekend, the charity has plans to launch its Life in Lockdown documentary series, exhibition and book, and will bring together health experts and campaigners for a mental health conference
The city centre will be home to the Forth Plinth – a platform showcasing the trans, non-binary and gender diverse community – and the Local Heroes Awards will celebrate LGBTQ+ people and allies who have made an impact to the community over the last 50 years.
And the popular family dog show Paws with Pride will return after a four year hiatus, with plans in place for a second Ouseburn Family Pride, following the success of the first event last month (September).
Northern Pride was originally awarded the UK Pride title in 2018 but this was postponed due to the pandemic, with organisers hosting virtual events for the 2020 and 2021 celebrations.
Ste Dunn, Director of Northern Pride, is confident this will be their most inclusive and accessible festival to date.
“It’s fantastic to be back in a position where we can organise an in-person event and finally get to work making our plans for UK Pride in Newcastle a reality,” he said.
“We’ve chosen a powerful theme this year, Remember, Resist, Rise Up, to pay homage to our collective history, resist oppression – with the pandemic having a disproportionate impact on LGBTQ+ people – and rise up to the challenges we still face.
“Pairing this with a really diverse series of events and plans to showcase more local performers and creatives than ever before and I believe we’re on the path to deliver our best festival to date.”
Jenny Dewsnap, Co-Chair of the UK Pride Organiser’s Network, is delighted that UK Pride will finally be coming to Newcastle in 2022.
“We were impressed with Northern Pride’s bid way back in 2018 and, while the pandemic put a hold on their plans, it was fantastic to see them host virtual festivals in its place to bring the community together online.
“It’s shaping up to be a really exciting programme, with something for all ages to enjoy, and we can’t wait to see their plans come to fruition.”
The video preview, featuring animator Sofia Barton, writer Bridget Hamilton, musician Jen Stevens and vocals from Journals of Dami and MXYM, can be viewed on the Northern Pride website.
For more information, visit www.northern-pride.com or search northernprideuk on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube.
