The pride season.

So I've decided to go again with this. Might be more infrequent and more random but I'm having so much fun that I might as well blog about it.

So what id thought I do is review my UK Pride trips this year.

Now I can't do a direct comparison as I've been small town ones (New Brighton above) to big city ones (Manchester below)

Its impossible to judge both as like for like so I'll go through them one by one 

I kicked off with Pub Pride at my local. New concept and drag queen disco in my local was well supported. I think this has scope and look forward to seeing how that develops.

Warrington Pride was next. Second year of running and still finding it's feet. Honoured to open it and be involved in planning. A little too much reliant on drag acts but much improved access to bars in the evening. March also was excellent and I think each year this will improve.

Sparkle the transgender weekend in Manchester is usually a highlight of the year. Better beer tent location but desperately need more seats. Stall village really good and entertainment excellent.

Leeds Pride and one of the first big beasts. A lot of city prides depend on the design of the city and how they utilise the space. March assembly is on streets and a bit unorganized until you get to the front. It's always an amazing walk and well supported. Arriving in the village area is perfect although you can be quickly wading through empty bottles and plastic quickly. Good acts usually and one I'd recommended to visit.

Liverpool next. As lead trustee of the organising team I really can't be impartial 😂. Look it's a great weekend, it's free on the Saturday and the march is great. Just go and have fun. We are the biggest March outside London.

Trans pride Manchester was a new concept for me and was mainly about the march and protest. In the current climate this was the most protest event. No entertainment and all about visibility. Felt proud to represent my community. Perhaps something at the end to help people navigate thereafter...

UK Pride Doncaster.

I has no preconceptions about this. Not local and didn't know what the UK element would add. In the end it just made it bigger. Having been to Europride in Malta last year, UK Pride needs to really set an identity and why wanting to be UK Pride is different. Sponsorship unique to it may help. Doncaster was a great event but the UK organisation needs work 

Three times I've now been to Chester and due to connections I was in the VIP section.

A compact march right in the city with an enclosed compound on hard ground makes this a great small city event. Id recommend this if you are local and great acts this year.

Manchester is one of the big beasts but has been criticized in recent years for it's over commercialisation. I walked for the first time which was amazing and the best supported walking I've seen. However you end on a side street and it really feels anti climatic. The village was to be avoided. Now those that know me know Im a frequent village visitor. For pride they charge for wristbands and zone off the village. To me it doesn't feel welcoming. Great in the day but avoid in the evening in unless you want to be crammed in or have VIP access. Perhaps it's because I'm local and can go there anytime but wasn't for me.

And last this year in the UK was New Brighton. Excellent local pride. Closed off a few streets with bars and cafés in there but no charge and you could come and go. Great local acts and just an excellent vibe sided by great weather. Little prides could learn a lot from this one. Find a great spot and sweat the assets. 

Apologies to Halton, Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens prides for not getting there. Clashes with other events and holidays prevented my attendance but next year hopefully. 

So what next for me. Off to Malta and this time I planned to be there for their Pride. 32c so going to be great.

Next year I'm still involved in Liverpool and Warrington. I hope also to help out with St Helens who needs to avoid clashing next year. 

More immediately when I come back from holiday I've got some judging to do for LGBTQ awards in Liverpool (and later attending them) plus conferences in London and Reading on the horizon. Perhaps even a little bit of politics if things go as planned. 

Pride season may be coming to an end but I've loved every second of it. Seeing individuality expressed without compromise and love all around is life affirming.

Join me next year....it's fun trust me.