The history of Manchester Pride: ‘It isn’t for anybody unless it’s for everybody’
metro.co.ukManchester Pride is one of the most anticipated and best-loved events in the LGBTQ+ calendar.It’s a celebration that holds a special place in my heart.
I have family from the North West and I spent many of my ‘formative’ years in the city after moving there at 18. But it’s not just memories of my former home that makes me think fondly of Manchester Pride.
My first job was actually working on the big event itself, as a press officer. It’s hard to put into words what it’s like to be part of a team that creates such an epic and incredible occasion.
There’s moments I’ll never forget, such as first seeing Manchester’s Sackville Gardens become a sea of light at its Candlelit Vigil, held on the Monday of Pride each year in remembrance of all lives lost to HIV/AIDS.Then there are the times that still make me smile, like Alexandra Burke sharing her birthday cake with the backstage team – and saying she liked my hair!Or when I had to step in for a colleague and interview queer singer-songwriter Patrick Wolf after he’d performed at the event.
