Stockport Pride is back this June and promises to be ‘even bigger, louder and prouder’ than previous years.
The day of festivities – held annually to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community – will take place on Sunday, June 1 at Stockport’s Historic Market Place.
And organisers of this years Pride predict an even greater turn out than last year, after 2024’s parade saw hundreds of people proudly march through the town centre.
Stephen Bowyer, chair of the Stockport Pride organising committee, feels this year’s festival is particularly important in the current climate.
He said: “We are looking forward to kicking off Pride Month in Stockport.
“But this year’s festival comes as the LGBTQ+ community comes under pressure from the erosion of their rights and increase in hatred in the UK.”
Stockport has had a three percent decrease of reported hate crimes against sexual orientation in the last year, according to the latest GMP statistics.
But nationally, hate crimes due to sexual orientation have almost doubled since 2018/2019, increasing from more than 14,000-a-year to approximately 23,000 according to the Home Office statistics on hate crimes recorded by the police.
Stockport Pride signals the start of Pride Month, with Bury, Sale, Rochdale and Oldham events following later in June.
A parade at noon kicks off the festival’s festivities, beginning at the Underbanks, moving through Merseyway and Redrock and arriving at the Market Place.
Between 11am to 7pm the town centre will host a range of performers, from DJs and drag queens to a tap-dancing musical nun.
The Vegan Queens will be hosting the stage, introducing a vibrant line up including DJ Phil “Cee”, Laura and the Lesbians and Stockport’s dancing icon Ailsa McPhee.
Stockport actor Nathaniel J Hall – most recently known for his role in Chanel 4’s It’s a Sin – will be making an appearance.
Local charities, community groups and businesses will also be supporting the event.
Feature image: Stockport Pride organising committee
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