Celebrate sexual liberation and diversity on Canal Street on the Pride weekend Friday August 28 - Monday September 1st. Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Bisexual or Transgender, you are all welcome
(Tickets
http://www.manchesterpride.com)
With performances from Little Boots, Freemasons, Frankmusik, Bananarama, Peter Andre, Kelly Wilde and many, many more - you're in for a musical treat this Big Weekend!
The highlight of the Big Weekend in 2008 was the Parade which takes place again this year on the 29th August.
Manchester Pride has traditionally been a fundraiser for the LGBT and AIDS/HIV communities and is the only Pride event in the UK that has consistently done so. In the past the festival has been called many names including Gayfest, Mardi Gras and in 2003, the city had the honour of hosting EuroPride. Between 2003 and 2006 Manchester Pride Ltd worked with Operation Fundraiser (the Lesbian and Gay Foundation and George House Trust joint fundraising body) to deliver the Manchester Pride festival. This raised over £450,000 before it ‘hung up its boots’ in 2007. The money was distributed to over 100 LGBT and AIDS/HIV groups and charities in the Greater Manchester area.
In 2007 Manchester Pride realised its long-term vision of becoming a charity in its own right, successfully raising £95,000 for local charities that year alone. Last year in 2008, despite rising costs, the success of Manchester Pride steadily increased and the August Bank Holiday festival raised £105,000. This was distributed to groups such as the Marlin Swimming Group, Rainbow Families, and Keshet Manchester, as well as the free condom and lube scheme in the village and HIV organizations such as Body Positive North West.
Manchester Pride Limited will continue to raise funds for LGBT and AIDS/HIV charities and groups as a lasting legacy to the strong foundations built up by Operation Fundraiser. We open applications for our Community Grant every year after the festival, so keep your eyes peeled around this time if you have a group you think is in need of this grant.
LOVE MUSIC HATE RACISM WILL HAVE A PRESENCE AT THIS EVENT IN ORDER TO MAKE A STAND AGAINST DISCRIMINATION OF ANY KIND WHETHER IT BE ON RACE, SEXUALITY, GENDER OR RELIGION.