Newcastle Pride returns this weekend

Newcastle Pride returns this weekend and is still the UK’s largest free Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) festival in the country.

Last year’s event was a huge success and this year will see a return to the city with a new venue, Nunsmoor Park from Friday July 20th to Sunday July 22nd.  This year’s theme marks the 40th anniversary of the Rainbow Flag and in a symbolic gesture of support we will be flying the flag above the Civic Centre for the entire week. The flag was created by Gilbert Baker and was first seen in the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade on June 25, 1978.  Since then it has become a well know symbol for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community.

Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Nick Forbes, said: “Newcastle Pride is an absolutely fantastic event and showcases the important contribution the LGBT community makes towards the vibrancy and diversity of Newcastle.

“Newcastle is a place where everyone can feel at home and I look forward to seeing thousands of visitors coming from all over the country to see what the city has to offer and experience our famous warm Geordie welcome.

“This year Newcastle City Council was ranked as one of the best LGBT employers in the country by Stonewall and I am delighted that our LGBT staff, friends and allies, for the first time will be marching behind our own Newcastle City Council banner”

On Saturday the carnival-style parade will leave from Newcastle Civic Centre and head to down Northumberland Street towards Nunsmoor Park with a special candlelight vigil closing the festival on Sunday.