Thousands expected to march through Newcastle for Northern Pride next month
Registrations are now open for the event - on July 20th
Preparations are almost complete for this year's Northern Pride March - which will make its way through Newcastle on July the 20th.
Thousands of people are expected to turn out for the celebration and mark of support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
The March will begin at 12:00PM, starting from the Civic centre, those taking part will pass through the iconic Northumberland Street and historic Greys Monument, which is also playing host to this year’s Market Village. The March will continue through the city before ending back at the civic centre to continue the celebrations across the city centre for the rest of the weekend.
Despite the downpour, last year’s march saw 15,000 people take to the streets of Newcastle in good spirits, led by young people and educators to mark 20 years since the repeal of Section 28, highlighting the continued challenges facing the LGBTQIA+ community.
In line with the theme unapologetically visible, this year’s March will again see thousands of community members, allies, local people and businesses come together to fill the streets of Newcastle with a colourful message of hope.
Organisers are keen to showcase how ‘unapologetically visible’ means different things to each individual and is based on their personal and lived experiences. The march offers the opportunity for people to come together to celebrate all of the ways in which people can be unapologetically visible, with one clear and collective goal in mind, to be seen and to be heard.
Mark Amario, BT Group Pride Network Lead Chair - who are sponsoring the event - shared their commitment to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, and Northern Pride;
“We’re excited to be joining Northern Pride for a second year supporting their vision for the city and the community. This year’s theme is one that BT Group advocates for all year with our colleagues and our customers encouraged to celebrate their identity.”
Ste Dunn, Director of Northern Pride, said:
“We’re celebrating individuality in all forms with this year’s theme, unapologetically visible, encouraging past, present and future generations of the LGBTQIA+ community to be their most authentic selves in whatever way that manifests itself to best reflect their journey.
"We’re proudly honouring the obstacles overcome, the milestones reached, and everything in between.”
The Northern Pride March remains the focal point for the event and continues to be free for all to take part. For groups of 10 or more, organisers encourage online registration to help with the safe planning and delivery of the event, with registration open now via the website.
This year’s Pride in the City festival will take place across the city centre, with multiple celebrations and events, including a main stage at Central Park, with impressive live performances, highlighting the vibrant and beautiful queer community, the valuable impact they have on society and the richness of their talents.
Find out more about this year’s festival via their website too.