Stand in solidarity with our trans community on Nov 20th for Trans Day of Remembrance

Transgender Awareness Week 2024

From 13 to 19 November, Transgender Awareness Week is an important time for people and organisations worldwide to raise awareness about the experiences of transgender people. As anti-trans narratives continue to be pushed in both media and politics, Transgender Awareness Week becomes an essential moment to shine a light on the voices and stories of the transgender community.

What is Transgender Awareness Week?

Transgender Awareness Week is a one week celebration that aims to increase visibility and understanding of the transgender community. The week is centred around education, advocacy, highlighting personal experiences of transgender and non-binary people as well as others that fall under the ever-evolving Trans Umbrella. It is an opportunity to address the issues transgender people face, such as prejudice, discrimination, and violence, while also celebrating the resilience and contributions made by the community. 

Transgender Awareness Week is held annually in the week leading up to Transgender Day of Remembrance, which takes place on 20 November. TDOR is a solemn occasion that honours trans people whose lives have been lost due to anti-transgender violence. The observance provides a space for the community to reflect on the violence and discrimination faced by the trans community, but also serves as a rallying point to demand justice and greater protection for the community.

What is Transgender Day of Remembrance?

Founded in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith, Transgender Day of Remembrance was established to remember Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was tragically murdered in 1998.  The vigil marked the one-year anniversary of Hester’s death, as well as the deaths of other transgender individuals lost to violence. 

Over time, TDOR has become a global phenomenon, bringing together the transgender community - as well as allies - to honour those who have been victims of anti-transgender violence. Transgender Day of Remembrance allows for a moment of grief as well as a call to action, emphasising the need for improved healthcare, protection and greater social acceptance of transgender people.

How Many People in the UK Identify as Transgender?

Census data from 2021 stated that over 260,000 individuals aged 16 and over in England and Wales identified as transgender. However, a review by the Office for National Statistics this year has raised concerns that this number might be inflated due to language barriers and misunderstandings of the census question on gender identity. 

The ONS has since downgraded the transgender population figures to “official statistics in development” to reflect the potential inaccuracies. Despite this, the figures still underscore the growing recognition of transgender identities in the UK.

What Does it Mean to Transition?

For many transgender people, transitioning is an important part of aligning their gender identity with their physical appearance and legal status. Transitioning can involve a variety of changes, from adopting a new name and pronouns to medical interventions such as hormone therapy or surgery. 

Some may also apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate under the UK’s Gender Recognition Act 2004. This legal document allows a person’s gender to be officially recognised on birth, marriage, and death certificates. However, this process can be lengthy and often requires a diagnosis of gender dysphoria and other criteria.

Yet it is important to note that transitioning can mean different things for different people, and the most important aspect is the ability to live authentically. The process of transitioning is deeply personal and not all transgender people want to pursue medical or legal changes.

What Services Are Available For Young Trans People?

Following the closure of the Gender Identity and Development Service in 2024, new services are being developed to support transgender young people. The NHS’s new Children and Young People's Gender Service aims to improve care and is expected to expand its services in 2025. 

NHS England also aims to help reduce waiting times for these services. According to a Freedom of Information request by PA Media, the average wait for the 5,700 under-18s on the specialist gender care waiting list is 100 weeks. Additionally, NHS England announced that trials to assess the effects of puberty blockers are set to begin in 2025.

How to Be an Ally to the Transgender Community

To better support the transgender community, you can:

• Educate yourself on trans terminology.

• Learn about the challenges faced by the trans community.

• Share and amplify trans people's stories and experiences.

• Stand in solidarity to foster positive change and inclusivity.

How Can I Support Transgender Awareness Week?

1. Join Sparkle's Webinars and Q&A Events: Sparkle, the National Transgender Charity, is a grassroots organisation supporting trans, non-binary, and gender-variant people in the UK. Run entirely by volunteers, Sparkle offers engaging webinars and Q&A events that help bring people together.  

2. Attend the Trans Family Funday at The Proud Place (Sunday, 11 November): Enjoy a day of arts and crafts, children’s entertainment, and a scavenger hunt at the Trans Family Funday. The Proud Place is fully wheelchair accessible and offers gender-neutral toilets, including an accessible option.  

Volunteer at the Manchester Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil: Honour trans lives lost at the annual vigil on Wednesday, 20th November 2024, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Sackville Gardens. The vigil will offer a comforting space for reflection and solidarity.

Salford Pride are recruiting new trustees

Salford Pride are looking for people to join our Board of Trustees to help the organisation grow and expand. Our trustees are all volunteers that give up their free time to support the LGBTQ+ movement and create positive change for our LGBTQ+ community here in Salford. We are looking for motivated individuals that can offer their skills and expertise to help our charitable organisation grow to support more and more LGBTQ+ people in Salford.

Our Board of Trustee's are responsible for day-to-day tasks associated with the role, including strategic planning, governance, financial oversight, and supporting the organisation's mission and values. This is a hybrid role, located in Salford with flexibility for remote work.

We are looking for people that can offer any of the following expertise:

• Human resources and volunteer management

• Marketing and social media management

• Financial oversight and charity accounting

• Legal support and charity regulations

Experience in fundraising and event planning is a plus

Experience in a nonprofit or voluntary organisation is a plus

Trustees are expected to be able to contribute 6-8 hours per week and attend two meetings a month, one in person held in Salford and one online.

Check out our get involved section for more information and to apply

Pink Picnic 2024 Tickets Are On Sale

Greater Manchester’s largest grassroots pride returns on Saturday 22nd June to Peel Park, Salford. Tickets go live on sale on Saturday 24th February from 12 noon for The Pink Picnic 2024. Tickets will sell out fast, so make sure to visit pinkpicnic.org.uk to snag your ticket early.

There will be a limited number of free tickets* available, Salford Pride ask if you're able to, please choose a donation with your ticket to support our charity and the work we do year round in the Salford community.

For those pride goers that are looking for that VIP treatment, you can purchase a PinkPLUS experience ticket to get into the PinkPLUS area with many exciting extras.

The Pink Picnic is Salford’s annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Non-binary plus (LGBTQ+) pride event and is back again in 2024, now in its thirteenth year. The grassroots pride celebration personifies the true essence of what pride means and what it originally stood for. With the community at its heart, the event brings the local residents, groups, organisations, charities, and businesses together to showcase Salford’s diverse communities.

This year's event will host an array of live entertainment on the main stage, showcasing a roster of local diverse LGBT+ talent and headline artists and more. Expect to see drag, musicians, dancers, DJ’s and powerful words from prominent voices in the community, including Salford Pride patron and trans activist Annie Wallace (Hollyoaks).

As well as the main stage the event will host community and market stalls promoting local groups, organisations, charities and businesses, activities and entertainment for families, children, and LGBTQ+ youth, inflatables, a bar tent, food and drink vendors and much more.

2024 will bring exciting new attractions and features to the iconic event, with The Pink Picnic 2024 taking over more space within Peel Park for that extra space, plus a new layout, the return of fairground rides and much more.

Visit pinkpicnic.org.uk to grab your ticket.

LGBT+ Peer Support sessions return from August 1st facilitated by @TalkAboutItMate

After the success of our trial peer to peer support sessions, Salford Pride are thrilled to continue the project starting from August 1st. The sessions will be facilitated by Talk About It Mate and will provide a safe, dry social space that is open to all members of the LGBTQ+ community in Salford and the surrounding areas. The purpose of the peer support group is to be a welcoming, non-judgemental safe-space, to touch on themes around wellbeing and low level mental health issues. Talk About It Mate has experience of delivering successful projects and peer support sessions across Salford and Greater Manchester.

The Salford Pride team will be welcoming the LGBTQ+ community with open arms and ask you to join us for a friendly brew and natter. If you are interested in volunteering for Salford Pride, please also come and chat to our lovely team.

Greater Manchester's largest grassroots pride event, THE PINK PICNIC returns to Peel Park, Salford Saturday 17th June

Salford Pride are excited to announce that Salford’s annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Non-binary, plus (LGBT+) pride event ‘The Pink Picnic’ will return to Peel Park on Saturday 17th June! Now the largest grass roots pride event in Greater Manchester, the event will take place between 1-8pm in Peel Park, Salford, in partnership with Moxy Hotels, and will host live music, dance, and drag performances, children’s activities, a dog show, a beer tent, and even a private ‘PinkPLUS’ area for that little extra. 

This year The Pink Picnic celebrates its 12th anniversary. First launched in 2011, The Pink Picnic has grown from a small gathering of people to a nationally recognised pride celebration for the local LGBT+ community of Salford and beyond. In 2022 over 7,000 guests attended the event, turning the park pink for the day.  

The 2023 event will host an array of live entertainment on the main stage, showcasing a roster of local diverse LGBT+ talent as well as headline artists Nadine Coyle, Drag Race’s Black Peppa, queer dance duo NIMMO, TikTok sensation Bailey J Mills and more. Expect to see drag, musicians, dancers, DJs, and powerful words from prominent voices in the community, including Salford Pride patron and trans activist Annie Wallace (Hollyoaks). 

This year’s event is proudly sponsored by Moxy Hotels. Moxy Hotel’s – part of Marriott Bonvoy – offers playful hotel experiences for the young at heart. If you’re in the need of a hotel to attend The Pink Picnic 2023, check out Moxy Manchester City. Or if you’re planning upcoming summer holidays and city breaks, visit www.moxyhotels.com to join the fun #atthemoxy all around the world. 

The event is family-friendly, dog-friendly and open to all to attend.  The event is ticketed and free; Salford Pride asks for those that can, please donate with their free ticket order to help support the work the organisation delivers. Salford Pride believes that everyone should be welcome to show their support for the LGBT+ community and embrace the spirit of pride. The Pink Picnic is a grass root event that personifies the true essence of what pride means and what it originally stood for. 

As well as our main stage the event will host community stalls promoting local groups, organisations and charities.  There will be activities and entertainment for families, children, and LGBT+ youth plus inflatables, a bar tent, food, and drink vendors and much more. 

Tickets are available for booking now HERE 

PinkPLUS tickets are on sale now at £28.00 HERE 

As part of LGBT+ history month, Salford Pride have teamed up with @talkaboutitmate to launch peer to peer support group sessions

As part of LGBT+ history month, Salford Pride have teamed up with @talkaboutitmate to launch peer to peer support group sessions every week in February for the LGBTQ+ community here in Salford.

The groups aim to reduce social isolation, create new relationships, improve wellbeing, provide signposting opportunities, build community cohesion, reduce stigma around mental health and provide free a warm space for LGBTQ+ communities during the national living crisis.

The first session will take place on Tuesday 7th February from 6 – 7:30pm at Pendleton Gateway, 1 Broadwalk, Salford, M6 5FX, Community Room 2.

The following three sessions will take place on Tuesdays weekly.

*All sessions will be free to attend*

The support group is a safe, dry social space that is open to all members of the LGBTQ+ community in Salford and the surrounding areas. The purpose of the peer support group is to be a welcoming, non-judgemental safe-space, to touch on themes around wellbeing and low level mental health issues. Talk About It Mate has experience of delivering successful projects and peer support sessions across Salford and Greater Manchester.

The Salford Pride team will be welcoming the LGBTQ+ community with open arms and ask you to join us for a friendly brew and natter. If you are interested in volunteering for Salford Pride, please also come and chat to our lovely team.

The Pink Picnic will return for its 11th year, unapologetically sharing ‘Proud Vibes Only' in 2022!

Salford Pride’s The Pink Picnic 2022 will return to it’s scenic summer setting at Peel Park on Saturday 25th June from 1pm-8pm, unapologetically saying ‘Proud Vibes Only!’

The Pink Picnic is Salford’s annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Non-binary plus (LGBTQ+) pride event and is back again in 2022 for it’s eleventh year. The grass root event personifies the true essence of what pride means and what it originally stood for. 

With the community at its heart, the event brings the local community, groups, organisations, charities, and businesses together to showcase Salford’s diverse communities. 

The day will host an array of live entertainment on the main stage, showcasing a roster of local diverse LGBT+ talent and headline artists.

You can also expect to see drag, musicians, dancers, DJ’s and powerful words from prominent voices in the community, including Salford Pride patron and trans activist Annie Wallace (Hollyoaks). In previous years, The Pink Picnic has hosted big names such as Ru Paul Drag Race’s Cheryl Hole, Booty Luv & Big Brovaz, Stooshe, Eurovision’s SuRie, Union J and local legend Cheddar Gorgeous. This year will be no different with a jam-packed line-up of talent.

As well as our main stage the event will host community stalls promoting local groups, organisations and charities, activities and entertainment for families, children, and LGBTQ+ youth, funfair rides, a bar tent, food and drink vendors and much more. 

For the Picnic goers that are looking for the VIP Pride experience, a PinkPLUS ticket will gain you access to the exclusive PinkPLUS area with its own bar & facilities, 2 free drinks, the opportunity to meet some of the main stage headliners, a free meal, and a goody bag. 

Grab your FREE general admission tickets now, for more info visit. For those looking for a little extra PinkPLUS experience tickets are NOW on sale at an early bird price.

If you are enthusiastic, want to make a difference to the LGBT+ community in Salford and get involved in one the largest LGBT+ celebrations across Greater Manchester, why not sign up as a volunteer. You can also find out more about the event by visiting pinkpicnic.org.uk

You can also keep up to date with our work in the fight for equality online:

Facebook @salfordprideuk
Twitter @salfordprideuk
Instagram @salfordprideuk
Youtube

The Arc is Long: Salford Pride Celebrates LGBT+ History Month

February is LGBT+ History Month, dedicated to platform LGBT+ role models, joining in the fight for equality and celebrating the lives and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. This year's theme "The Arc is Long" in inspired by a Martin Luther King quote: 'The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice'

“This project aims to explore the idea of changing attitudes towards LGBT+ people across the past six decades of LGBT+ activism. While we have come a long way in terms of inclusion and attitudes, there is still a great deal of work before we have equal representation and inclusion for all LGBT+ people, particularly for trans, nonbinary and gender diverse communities.”

— Ricki Hewitt, Head of People

Salford Pride are running a video ‘History and Icons’ series project. The aim of this project is to celebrate the history of our community and educate people on the wider LGBT+ community and identities, through the sharing of local people's stories and different generational experiences of what it is and was like being an LGBT+ person during different decades in history - from the early sixties right up until modern day; to reflect on the progress we have made but how far there is yet to go. Following along with the theme “the arc is long”.

Image: Emma Goswell (Video by Ben Allan)

Image: Alfie Austin (Video by Ben Allan)

Featured in the history and icons project is Carl Austin-Behan, LGBT+ Advisor to the Mayor of Greater Manchester and Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Greater Manchester; Emma Goswell, Gaydio Presenter, Host of Coming Out Stories My Lesbian Rabbit and Effin Hormones Podcasts; Alfie Austin, a trans-masc nonbinary creative and musician and Salford Pride’s very own Head of Design and Marketing and a selection of LGBT+ young people, activists and community representatives, including Salford LGBT+ Youth Group and the University of Salford LGBT+ Society.

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Salford Pride are also celebrating LGBT+ History Month with event in collaboration with the University of Salford, its’ Student’s Union and Salford City Council.

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Featured: Trophy boy, an exploration of the dehumanising side of being a trophy boy (Credit: Finn Wise and BasLahmeh).

The event will feature an exhibition of LGBT+ history in Salford and Greater Manchester featuring artwork, artefacts, culture and media from artists across the county, including students from the University of Salford Arts, , Manchester Pride Creative Network, Working Class Movement Library in Salford, and Archives from the University of Salford from the 1960s and 1970s.

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Image: Joshua Hubbard (Dir.), a Love Letter.

There will also be LGBT+ culture and media on display at the exhibition, including 'A Love Letter', a film made by Joshua Hubbard and Lee Baxter. The short-film comprises a series of interviews with artists who, due to the pandemic, found themselves out of work. These interviews were conducted in the winter of 2020 and are emphasised through movement and gesture, highlighting social pressures and reflecting the experiences and frustrations of artists towards the government.

Note: If you are an artist or creative and would like to feature your work we still have some space available. Deadline for submissions is Tuesday 22nd February 2022. Contact ricki@salfordpride.org.uk for more information.

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If you’re interested in finding out more about Salford Pride, or getting involved, check out salfordpride.org.uk/getinvolved, or sign up as an event volunteer Applications are open now!

You can also keep up to date with our work in the fight for equality online:

Facebook @salfordprideuk
Twitter @salfordprideuk
Instagram @salfordprideuk
Youtube

TDOR Digital Event & Vigil

Salford Pride will be marking #TDoR (Trans Day of Remembrance) with a digital vigil and pieces from trans artists, on Saturday 20th November, from 6pm right here on our Facebook page.

The event will feature live pieces and powerful performances from local trans artists, speakers, stories and will be hosted by our friend Annie Wallace. Salford Pride hopes everyone will can join us in remembering and honouring those who have lost their lives due to transphobia in the past year, as we challenge the everyday transphobia that leads to anti-trans violence.

The Pink Picnic Returns in 2021!

Salford Pride are excited to officially announce that Salford’s annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Non-binary, plus (LGBT+) pride event ‘The Pink Picnic’ is confirmed to return to Peel Park on Saturday 7th August 2021! Taking place between 1-8pm in Peel Park, Salford the event will host live music, dance and drag performances, children’s activities, a dog show, a beer tent, and even a private ‘PinkPLUS’ area for that little extra.

The event is family friendly, dog friendly and is also free and open to all to attend. Salford Pride believes that everyone should have the chance to celebrate and be their authentic self regardless of income. Everyone is welcome to show their support for the LGBT+ community, and embrace the spirit of pride. The Pink Picnic is a grass root event that personifies the true essence of what pride means and what it originally stood for.

This year The Pink Picnic celebrates its 10th anniversary. First Launched in 2011, a few friends thought it would be nice to hold an LGBT+ focussed event to bring people together for a fun afternoon. A modest gathering of 15 or so people was expected, but it attracted around 120 people, and so the picnic was born. The event was rebranded to The Pink Picnic in 2017, and over the past 10 years The Pink Picnic has grown from a small gathering of people to a nationally recognised pride celebration for the local LGBT+ community of Salford and beyond. In 2019 over 5,000 guests attended the event, and after going digital in 2020 digital, and attracting over 12,000 views, we’re thrilled to be back in 2021.

Hosting this year's event are some of our communities finest local drag heroines: Blaq Ivory, Misty Chance, and Viva La Diva. The line-up includes a rainbow of talent, including locals Jess Kemp, HUSK, House of Noir and Ewan, the reigning winner of Salford Pride’s Got Talent. Some famous names including Cheddar Gorgeous (Drag SOS), Sam Callahan (X Factor), 00’s legends Big Brovaz & Booty Luv, and Stooshe (Black Heart) bringing ‘Proud Vibes Only’ and more headline artists to be announced soon!

““The Pink Picnic is incredibly special as it was set up by the community of Salford for local people and community remains at the heart of everything Salford Pride does.

Pride is a precious time in calendar where we see LGBT+ live, thrive and represented in all aspects of life. The past year has not been without its challenges, so to be able to bring back our flagship event in our 10th year is very exciting. Everyone involved at The Pink Picnic in 2019 had a great time, so we are really excited to bring the event back, bigger than ever before!””

— Ricki Hewitt, Chief of Experience

Unlike previous years, this year's event will be ticketed, due to covid-19 regulations to help ensure the safety of everyone attending, however the event still remains one of the biggest free to attend pride events in Greater Manchester. If you’re looking for something extra, there are PinkPLUS tickets, on sale Friday 4th June 2021, granting pride-goers access to the ‘PinkPLUS’ area, with a private bar, private toilets, 2 free drinks & finger food snacks served throughout the day; even the chance to meet some of our headliners.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Salford Pride, or getting involved, check out salfordpride.org.uk/getinvolved, or sign up as an event volunteer for The Pink Picnic: Applications are open now!

You can also keep up to date with our work in the fight for equality online:

Facebook @salfordprideuk
Twitter @salfordprideuk
Instagram @salfordprideuk

Tickets (free) are available here. Limited PinkPLUS tickets, offering a VIP experience to the event, are available here at a discounted early bird price of £20 until June 18. Further tickets will be released here.

#BlackFutureMonth Spotlight: Romario Wanliss/MrBlackBranson

Throughout Black History Month, we’re shining a Spotlight on QTIPOC artists and looking towards a positive Black Future!

WHO: Romario creatively known as MrBlackBranson is a Jamaican StoryTeller living in the UK using Life Coaching, Music and SpokenWord to create awareness on Mental Health, Self Care and Positivity

Jamaican born and moved to the UK in September of 2008, Romario has been through much adversity including being made homeless twice.

Today he is on a mission to follow through on his passion for creating stories through visual cinematic pieces to Music & Poetry

Where can people find and support you: Visit MrBlackBranson.UK to keep abreast with all his latest projects and see options in which you could support via amazon wishlist or donations.

Most relevant project: I Am Not Proud To Be Trans (https://bit.ly/proudtobetrans)

What does black history month mean to you: Coming from Jamaica, there were many black people like myself. We celebrated Independence Day not so much Black History Month. We talked about the Warriors of the island who fought for our freedom, their faces on our currency.

Black history seems painful here, many talk of enslavement, very little talk of freedom, many talk of segregation, very little thought of growth. I do not celebrate black history month, I celebrate independence from heavy poverty and mental shackles.

In summary I will quote the great Bob Marley "emancipate yourself from mental slavery none but ourselves can free our minds."

Support Romario by following MrBlackBranson on instagram and youtube.

#BlackFutureMonth Spotlight: Rebecca Swarray

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Who: Rebecca Swarray aka DJ Mix-Stress and boss lady of events collective RebeccaNeverBecky.

What you do: I am a promoter, DJ and curator organising and running events within the Manchester queer community across the year. Events which specifically platform QTIPOC, LGBT+ and BAME creatives, DJs and performers. I also DJ at various events and spaces in and out of the city and have a monthly residency on Reform Radio.

Where can we find you: @rebecca.never.becky / @mix_stress https://www.mixcloud.com/rebeccaswarray/ I am also starting up a new and exciting monthly queer social called Queer Latifah in the near future please follow @queerlatifahsundays for updates!

What do you want to say to those reading this: BHM is an all year round celebration for me. I am fully proud of my heritage and history and use every opportunity and my platform to celebrate and uplift black voices. I hope that as we move through time given events of this year alone, that there is more acceptance and understanding across the board. And that our allies stand firmly by all our sides and continue to show out!

Salford Pride Goes Live

Following on from our announcement on COVID-19, Salford Pride were committed to deliver an LGBT+ pride celebration to Salford and beyond in 2020 and have been working hard behind the scenes to develop a contingency plan.

During these unusual times, solidarity and celebration have never been more important. Over the past few weeks our volunteers have been working hard behind the scenes with our partners, the local community and entertainers to design an event that celebrates the ideals at the heart of The Pink Picnic; community spirit, love without limits and pride for everyone. Salford Pride: Digital on Saturday 20th June from 4pm, right the way through to midnight!

Gather your friends and family and start the party at Salford City Radio on 94.4fm from 4PM to 6PM for The Pink Picnic Takeover, playing pride anthems, with live music and special guests. Followed by The Pink Picnic: Digital from 6PM to 10PM with headline acts Divina De Campo, Ronan Parke, Rowetta and Charlotte Awbery. Hosted by Venus Quasar & Annabelle Lecter, including Salford’s Got Pride: our online talent show where you decide who wins, with a special guest performance by Rob King. The winner of the competition will receive a slot to perform at The Pink Picnic in 2021.

Closely followed by our Digital Drag Show extravaganza: showcasing local and international drag talent with performances from the fabulous Alfie Ordinary, Cheddar Gorgeous, Saki Yew, Julie Noted, Anna Phylactic, HP Loveshaft, Ellie Ganza, Alexa Spread, Whiplash, Scarly B, Venus and Amanda T Swallows.

The party then continues with P!NKED: The Zoom After Party from 10PM until midnight with beats by DJ Bex Hill. Hosted by Gisele and Sapphire Ruin.

Connor James, Events Officer for Salford Pride, who has led the digital project said:

“We felt as a charity that prides itself on engaging and supporting the local community, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to do something to come together, even when we are all two metres apart and celebrate LGBT+ identities, love and acceptance, without limits.”

For more information about the event, how to get tickets and involved with Salford’s Got Talent visit salfordpride.org.uk/digital

If you’re interested in finding out more about Salford Pride, or getting involved, check out salfordpride.org.uk/getinvolved

Lesbian Day of Visibility Still Matters

By Kelly Degg

"L" is at the beginning of "LGBT+," I hear you say; what more visibility do lesbians need? However, perceptions of our community are tarred by stereotypes. Lesbian Day of Visibility remains an important opportunity to celebrate the diversity in our community and to challenge stereotypes of what it means to be LGBT+.

There remains a need for strong lesbian role models in the work place, in government and in our communities; lesbians of colour, lesbians who fought alongside early activists for liberation, disabled lesbians and trans and non-binary lesbians. Giving a platform to these role models, all of them with different stories, identities and nationalities, each an important part of our community, reminds us that we are all valid. That's why this week remains an important celebration, even today.

Emma Beard, Business and Partnership Manager at Salford Pride said:

“For me, it’s so important that young LGBT+ people have better experiences than those of my generation.  We need to promote safe places for young people to be who they are without fear.”

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LGBT+ people will continue to go through the challenges of self-discovery and a world in which their identities are represented will be a better world for everyone. We all need to feel valid and appreciated. There is nothing more debilitating than the feeling of being alone. That’s why it's so important to feel that you are part of a community. 

Stand up and send a message to all LGBT+ people still on that journey of self-discovery and remind them that we stand together, and we are a community of love.

The Big Pink Fundraiser is back and bigger than ever!

Whether you’re a seasoned quizzer, or a complete newcomer, The Big Pink Fundraiser is a 3-in-1 event with something for everyone. Quiz-lovers, party-goers and cabaret connoisseurs are invited to support Salford Pride in its mission to educate and promote awareness of LGBT+ issues across the City of Salford, Greater Manchester and beyond!

Following the success of last year's Big Pink Fundraiser, Salford Pride are reviving the triple threat event, hosted in the fantastic BarPop, right at the heart of Manchester's thriving LGBT+ Community - Canal Street.

The Big Pink Fundraiser will be held on Thursday 13 February 2020, from 7.30pm until midnight.

The fundraiser won’t just feature fantastic quizzing with the chance to win a prize hamper up to the value of £100. The infamous and fabulous Annabelle Lecture will start the evening with a bang, performing a selection of cabaret performances, followed by more electrifying routines!

Ricki Hewitt, Salford Pride volunteer said:

“Salford Pride is incredibly special as it was set up by local people, for local people and community remains at the heart of everything we do. Without support from events like this, we wouldn’t be able to run the annual Pink Picnic or deliver vital LGBT+ education, awareness and events across the area. Everyone involved at the event last year had a great time, so we are really excited to bring the fundraiser back and make it bigger than ever before!”

If quizzing and cabaret aren’t for you and you’re just in the mood to boogie, Edd Norton will be taking over the BarPop basement from 10pm with some disco classics and dancing tunes to see you through to midnight.

The fundraiser will be hosted by Salford Pride's resident drag queen Venus Quasar. Tickets for the event are just £3 (including booking fee), but space is limited so grab your tickets now – once they’re gone, they’re gone. To find out more about the event or book your place, visit https://www.fatsoma.com/SalfordPride/u6pk45kq/the-big-pink-fundraiser-2020

All the money raised will be donated to Salford Pride. The money raised will ensure The Pink Picnic remains a free event and support us to delivering equality and diversity for the LGBT+ Community across Salford and Greater Manchester.

If you’re interested in find out more about Salford Pride, or getting involved, visit our website salfordpride.org.uk, or find us on social media:

facebook.com/salfordprideofficial
twitter.com/salfordprideuk
instagram.com/salfordprideofficial