Scarborough Pride returns this weekend after more than a decade
There will be a big event tomorrow
We are hearing how Scarborough Pride is hopefully the start of something great for the LGBTQ+ community, as it returns after more than a decade.
There will be a big event at the Spa tomorrow and for the first time ever, a parade through town.
George Wakely is one of the organisers and says it is hopefully the start of something great for the LGBTQ+ community in Scarborough:
"We're having the first ever pride parade which is going to happen from The Brunswick Centre and head down Newborough, Eastborough, Westborough and to the seafront all the way to Scarborough Spa where we've got a day full of entertainment. We have 16 hours of programming across three stages and we'll also have a family area so young children can learn about what diversity means to them.
"Unlike big cities like Leeds or London, there aren't those gay bars or areas where LGBTQ people can meet each other and chat, so I think it's really important to show the local LGBTQ community that there is actually a large community here that's welcoming with open arms.
"It means a lot to me. It's really important to bring the community together and as someone who identifies as LGBTQ and having moved here a few years ago, there aren't those easy signals to go and meet people that are also LGBTQ and make a network of friends. Pride has allowed me to do that so far and I've made some really amazing friends through that.
"I didn't have anybody that I could perhaps talk to about particular LGBTQ issues that I might have wanted to discuss with a friend. I did have my friends down in London where I lived before but I didn't have people up here that I could meet up with, go for a coffee and talk about those things. I think it's really great I now have a network of people who understand the kind of complex issues about being LGBTQ."