About
The Manchester Pride Festival celebrates queer expression through a ‘party as protest.’ As one of the largest Pride celebration across the world, Manchester Pride refuses to hold celebrations quietly, celebrating queer people, culture and expression in Manchester as publicly as possible.
Manchester Pride celebrations provide a space for LGBTQ+ people to actively express themselves, many of whom may have experienced discrimination and suppressed or hidden their Queer identity, as well as a space for allies and organisations to express their support. Pride provides an opportunity to celebrate the richness of the community as well as fight against any notions of suppression – holding true LGBTQ+ pride at its heart.
The Manchester Pride Festival is free to attend with organisations across the city hosting and participating in a range of events. Most notably, the Pride Parade is a key event across the weekend in which organisations march in support of their commitment to celebrating queerness and challenging discrimination, stigma and LGBTQ+ hate crimes. Find out more information about what’s on and how you can get involved here.
History of Manchester Pride Festival:
Pride has grown exponentially in its 50+ year history as a movement for queer liberation. But the fight is far from over.
With LGBTQ+ youth increasingly experiencing bullying, self-harm and homelessness and the recent rise in anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes, it’s more vital than ever that Manchester Pride celebrations remain strong.
Fundraising events have been held over August Bank Holiday weekend in Manchester since the late 1980s, starting with a jumble sale outside the Rembrandt Hotel. The first Manchester Gay Pub and Club Olympics event took place in 1985 — think boat racing down the canal, tug of war, and egg and spoon races adjudicated by drag queens!
In 1985, Manchester City Council awarded a £1,700 grant to put on a two-week celebration, complete with a huge banner adorning Oxford Street. The event that would eventually become Manchester Pride Festival was born.
This year’s theme for Manchester Pride is ‘Buzzin’ to be Queer - A Hive of Progress’, paying homage to Manchester’s roots and the famous worker bee symbol within the city, representing the powerful work ethic of Mancunians historically, dating back to the industrial revolution defining the city as a hive of activity and a heart of unity.
As we celebrate ‘Buzzin’ to be Queer - A Hive of Progress’ the ‘Progress Bee’ becomes more than a symbol; it becomes a call to action. It reminds us that, just like worker bees collaborating in a hive, LGBTQ+ communities and their allies can achieve great things when united. The bee symbolises not only the hard work that has defined the city's history but also the ongoing commitment to progress, inclusivity, and equality that Manchester Pride champions.
Manchester has always been a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ equality. In 1964, the North West Homosexual Law Reform Committee set the stage for LGBTQ+ liberation, led by Allan Horsfall, the group eventually became the national Campaign for Homosexual Equality and were instrumental in the decriminalisation of homosexual behaviour between two consenting males.
Fast forward to 1988 and again Manchester demonstrated its power in coming together. Over 20,000 voices resonated through the streets of Manchester in a historic protest against Section 28, marking one of the largest LGBTQ+ demonstrations in the UK.
Manchester’s world-renowned Gay Village gained prominence in 1990’s when it became a space for the community to be loud and proud, showcasing Manchester's open and liberal spirit.
In more recent years, Manchester Pride made history in 2018 by becoming the first organisation in the UK to incorporate the black and brown stripes into the rainbow flag, ensuring representation for LGBTQ+ people of colour.
Just as bees are essential to the environment, diverse communities within society thrive by actively supporting one another. LGBTQ+ individuals play a crucial role in shaping a society where small actions collectively create monumental impact.
Join the parade, showcase your unique flair, and let's continue working together for progress.
Below are short interviews with Carl Austin-Behan OBE and Dr Paul Martin OBE, explaining the importance of Manchester's Pride celebrations. There is additional interview content available on our LGBTQ+ prominent figures page.
Below you can find out about Manchester's prominent LGBTQ+ figures, pride events taking place in the VCSE sector, local LGBTQ+ groups across the city and further reading websites. Click on the images below to take you to each webpage.
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