#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!

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

Salford Pride to debut their brand new play at Salford University

Salford Pride are debuting their brand new performance, Love and Pride, at the University of Salford next month, as part of a project with the Greater Manchester Hate Crime Awareness Fund. The play also marks the celebration of LGBT+ History month, in February, the theme of which is poetry, prose and plays.

Performed by the university’s students, Love and Pride will feature three stories surrounding hidden Biphobia, Transphobia and Homophobia through the eye of LGBTQ+ people.

It was written by Thomas McCulloch and is based on a film by Edd Sebastian Norton, two students from the university. Thomas said:

“The evening will also showcase artwork that celebrates queer culture, created by the University’s up and coming artists.”

The Greater Manchester Hate Crime Awareness Fund was set up to raise awareness of what hate crime is and to Increase the reporting of hate crime incidents across the region.

Tickets for the performance at the New Adelphi Theatre on the Thursday 6th February 2020 cost £5, and can be bought from www.fatsoma.com/salfordpride.