Gay Pride events
This summer there are lots of great Gay Pride events happening all over Britain. Each event celebrates the gay community, promotes equality, diversity, and advances in education to eliminate discrimination against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) community.
Here's our guide to this summer's Gay Pride events in Britain:
June 2008
Plymouth Gay Pride
When: Saturday 7 June
Where: Plymouth Guildhall, Plymouth
What: Plymouth Pride, the South West's largest Pride event, celebrates its 30th birthday this year. The event includes a LGBT history exhibition, public question forum, international speakers, workshops, fun activities and entertainers - and that's all before the Pride Party!
Tickets: Free entry
Web: Plymouth Gay Pride (www.plymouthprideevent.co.uk/)
Scottish Borders LGBT Pride BBQ
When: Saturday 7 June
Where: Boleside picnic site, Galashiels
What: Get some friends together, head to Boleside, with your favourite food and drink for a great day out. There will be BBQs available to cook your food on, or feel free to bring your own. This event is very much weather dependant, and there's usually a fun event in the evening.
Tickets: This event isn't ticketed, just turn up on the day.
Web: Scottish Borders LGBT Pride BBQ (www.borderslgbt.org.uk/index.php)
South Yorkshire Pride
When: Saturday 7 June
Where: Cemetry Park, Sharrow, Sheffield
What: This is Sheffield's first ever Pride event, and it's sure to be one you won't forget. The event will be hosted by drag duo Trouble, comedienne Chrystine Moon and Steve Slack, Director of the Centre for HIV. The main-stage line up includes Brighton-based band Axe Kid, Bison, and Pride favourite Cavali. On the Other Stage there's a women's performance area featuring poems, cabaret, burlesque and much more. And on top of all that, there's a fantastic after party!
Tickets: Free entry
Web: South Yorkshire Pride (www.southyorkshirepride.co.uk/site/)
July 2008
Pride LondonWhen: Saturday 5 July
Where:Oxford Street & Regent Street,
LondonWhat: London Pride has one of the world's most colourful parades, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever. The theme this year is Fairytales, Myths and Legends so you can expect to see a colourful procession of beaus and beauty, princes and prancers, debutantes and dancers. Afterwards, the Main Stage in
Trafalgar Square will host an entertaining mix of the latest acts as well as politics, speakers and news from prides around the world.
Tickets: Free entry
Web: Pride London (www.pridelondon.org/)Bourne Free
When: Friday 11 - Sunday 13 July
Where: All over Bournemouth
What: Bournemouth's Pride event kicks off with a Jazz Picnic on Friday 11 July in the town's Lower Gardens. On the Saturday you can see the all-new parade as it snakes from Westbourne to Bournemouth, ending it the Gardens, where there will be a live show. There's also a fantastic street party in the Triangle, featuring top performers and a beer and champagne tent.
Tickets: Entry wristbands £5 in advance, £10 on the gate.
Web: Bourne Free (bournefree.co.uk/)
N-Pride
When: Saturday 12 July
Where: Scotswood Road and surrounding streets, Newcastle upon Tyne
What: N-Pride is set in the heart of Newcastle's Gay Quarter. Expect a huge street festival, funfair, markets, a cabaret tent, dance tent, big name acts on the main stage and lots more!
Tickets: TBC
Web: N-Pride (www.n-pride.org/)
Oxford Gay Pride
When: Saturday 12 July
Where: Oxpens Field, Oxford
What: Now in its 6th successful year, Oxford Pride is holding it's first ever Pride Parade this year. The Parade will meander through the streets of this picturesque historic city, passing the LGBT pubs on Paradise Street and finishing at Oxpens Field for the official opening of the Oxford Pride event. At the event, expect village stalls, restaurants, bars and fun and games for all the family.
Tickets: Free entry to pride event, £10 admission to after-pride party.
Web: Oxford Gay Pride (www.oxfordpride.org.uk/)
Belfast Gay Pride
When: Saturday 26 July - Saturday 2 August
Where:Belfast city centre
What: Now in its 17th year, Belfast Pride has a jam-packed programme of events. Expect film screenings, talks and debates, special tours, a fashion show, exhibitions and club nights. The annual Pride Parade wraps things up on Saturday 2 August and there's also a huge concert - Party in the Square.
Tickets: Free entry
Web: Belfast Pride (www.belfastpride.com/)
Brighton & Hove Gay Pride
When: Saturday 26 July - Sunday 3 August
Where: All over Brighton
What: Brighton & Hove Gay Pride is the UK's biggest pride event. The summer festival kicks off on Saturday 26 July with events all over the city, leading up to the main parade and park event on Saturday 2 August. The theme of this year's parade is 'Pride Around the World', and is bound to be a spectacular event.
Tickets: Free entry
Web: Brighton & Hove Gay Pride (www.brightonpride.org/)
Nottingham Pride
When: Saturday 26 July
Where: Arboretum Park, Nottingham
What: Nottingham Pride is the most popular Pride event in the East Midlands. Nottingham's Arboretum Park is hosting the event, with 6 hours of live music on the main stage from the 1970's to the present, enough to suit all tastes.
Tickets: Free entry
Web: Nottingham Pride (www.nottinghampride.co.uk/)
August 2008
Pride in Our City - The Pride of LeedsWhen: Sunday 3 August
Where: All over
LeedsWhat: The theme for this year's Pride is Heroes and Heroines, and Millennium Square is playing host to the pre-parade main stage featuring bands, DJs, singers and lots of Mr Gay UK finalists. The parade starts at 15:00, and afterwards, there's the huge scene party. And on top of that, there will be a market and community area, a quiet chill-out space, youth focus area, fun fair, food and drink and much more.
Tickets: Free entry
Web: Leeds Pride (www.leedspride.com/)Hull Pride
When: Saturday 9 August
Where: West Park, Anlaby Road, Hull
What: Hull Pride is now in its 7th year, and this year's Pride is set to be the biggest and best yet. With crowds expected at over 10,000 it's set to be the biggest Hull Pride ever, so bring your frilliest outfit, your most glamorous sunglasses, and prepare for an amazing event with local stage acts, national talent and stands and stalls.
Tickets: Free entry
Web: Hull Pride (www.hullpride.com/hullpride.org.uk/index.html)
Manchester Gay Pride
When: Friday 15 - Monday 25 August
Where: All over Manchester
What: This year is Manchester Gay Pride's 18th birthday, and it's celebrating in style with 10 sparkling days and nights sport, film, heritage arts and entertainment, debating and fantastic partying. The Big Weekend (22 - 25 August) is the highlight of the celebrations with live music, a parade, lifestyle expo, village hall, markets and a HIV Vigil.
Tickets: Weekend pass, £12.50 - £22.50
Web: Manchester Gay Pride (www.manchesterpride.com/)
Wakefield Pride
When: Sunday 10 August
Where: Cathedral Precinct, Wakefield
What: The annual Wakefield Pride not Prejudice events start around noon in the Cathedral Precinct, with a spectacular parade of floats through the city centre. After the parade, live bands, DJs and cabaret drag artists will be around to entertain you in local venues well into the night.
Tickets: Free entry
Web: Wakefield Pride (www.wdco.org/site/Pride-not-Prejudice/index.htm)
UK Black Pride
When: Saturday 16 August
Where: Regent's Park, London
What: UK Black Pride celebrates the diversity of Britain's LGBT community. There's a fun-filled day of music and entertainment, including live music by the hottest new acts and music by London's best DJs.
Tickets: Free entry
Web: UK Black Pride (www.ukblackpride.org.uk/)
Doncaster Pride
When: Sunday 17 August
Where: Doncaster Market Square, Doncaster
What: Despite only being in its 2nd year, Doncaster Pride is expecting a great turnout after last year's success. The day kicks off with a Walk of Unity through Doncaster, followed by 6 hours of great live music on the Live Stage. There will also be a Rainbow Market, funfair, street entertainment, food and bars.
Tickets: Free entry
Web: Doncaster Pride (www.doncasterpride.co.uk/)
Cornwall Gay Pride
When: Saturday 23 August
Where:Truro, Cornwall
What: Last year's Cornwall Pride was an informal gathering on a Cornish beach, but this year's Pride is bigger, and it's being held in the city of Truro. Cornwall Pride has a theatrical theme this year, and after the parade through Truro, there will be entertainment through the day and into the night.
Tickets: Free entry
Web: Cornwall Gay Pride (pinkpasty.blogspot.com/2008/02/cornwall-gay-pride-2008-uk.html)
Pride Glasgow
When: Saturday 30 August
Where: George Square, Glasgow
What: After the usual Pride Glasgow parade, head to George Square to continue the celebrations. There will be live music, refreshments, stalls and much more, and later on it's the official pride party, so get ready to party through the night.
Tickets: Free entry
Web: Pride Glasgow (www.prideglasgow.co.uk/)