FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Norwich to celebrate its third LGBT Pride on Saturday 30th July 2011
What is Pride?
Norwich Pride is a celebration of local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer Life. It is an event from the LGBT community for everyone. Pride is for everyone who supports equal rights and a safe, diverse society - our central events are free and inclusive.
Our aim is to use music, debate, sport, history, arts and entertainment to raise awareness of LGBT issues to fight the discrimination faced by LGBT people. Most of all, we celebrate how far we have come over the past 40 years since the first ever Pride March in 1970.
Most of all, we want to ensure that Norwich is a city where everyone feels safe and proud to be themselves. Norwich Pride is against all forms of oppression.
Chair Julie Bremner says:
"I am really excited about the 3rd Annual Norwich LGBT Pride event on Saturday 30th July 2011, and I know that I am not the only one! Year on year we have built Pride into the fabric of this fine city, raising the visibility of the LGBT community through activity on the day as well as through other related events and spin off groups. A highlight at this year's event is Peter Tatchell, who is a lifelong campaigner for equality. We hope you have an enjoyable, safe and uplifting Pride 2011".
Why is Pride important?
Over the last 40 years, LGBT people have fought for and won many rights now enshrined
in law. However, we do not live in a completely equal or safe society. 2008 UK research showed that one in five lesbian and gay people had experienced a recent homophobic hate crime, while just 1% of reported homophobic hate crime resulted in a conviction. Homophobia is still rampant in our schools and there remains no out gay English footballer in 2011. Pride is a refusal to be afraid, ashamed or ignored.
What is happening this year?
The basic shape of the day will look familar by now:
10am - 5pm: Stalls and Talks inside and outside the Forum all day.
12.00 - 2.30pm: The Pride Picnic graces Chapelfield Gardens with Future Radio doing live outside broadcasts from the Bandstand.
2.30pm: The Lord Mayor of Norwich will launch the Parade.
3.30pm: The Pride Show on Millennium Plain.
There will be events across the city in the evening.
Four events to cover at Norwich Pride:
We are excited about all our events, but here are four that you may wish to cover in detail.
10am: The Launch
Outside the Forum
See the Official Opening Ceremony with Norwich Taiko Drummers and Spirit of Carnival on Millennium Plain outside the Forum. This will also includes the Stewards Dance - 50 volunteers in high-vis jackets moving as one!
Midday: Question Time with Peter Tatchell
Fusion in The Forum
We are delighted to invite International LGBT campaigner Peter Tatchell to Norwich Pride this year. Join Peter, Chloe Smith (MP for Norwich North) and Julie Bremner (chair of Norwich Pride) for a Question Time style debate that will discuss how far we have come and why Pride is still important. Peter will also be speaking in the Pride Show later on. Peter says:
?I am proud to support Norwich Pride 2010. I'll be there and I hope you will join me for a fabulous day out. Celebrate your sexuality and the LGBT rights we have won. But also remember that the battle for LGBT equality is not yet over.
2.30pm: The Parade
The highlight of the day for many. Launched by The Lord Mayor of Norwich and led by by the Dun Dun band (The Dead Goat Appreciation Society with The Pram Band and friends). Always bright and colourful, we will weave our way down Theatre Street, along Gentlemans Walk, up Gaol Hill and past City Hall where the Pride Scarf will be hanging and the Lord Mayor will wave to us from her balcony, where our beloved Pride scarf will be hanging for all to see.
3.30pm: The Pride Show
Millennium Plain
This is the time we celebrate together after our Parade! Local and national acts will grace the stage, including Sean Seraphim with our official Pride single for 2011 'Quiet Riot' with the Knightshift Dance Company, dance scene phenomenon Lee Bennett with his new single, Fanny Jam plus many more, not forgetting Pride favourites the pantomonic Pequila Bigtopp and always glambolic Titti T-rash.
Our Events Team Leader Joe says:
"The main show is an important part of Pride, where after the march, everyone is encouraged to celebrate our togetherness as one, so the city recognises our profile and how much the event means to people. We've got an amazing line up for this year that features international, national and local artists. Part of Pride is about celebrating local talent like Sean seraphim who will be performing the pride single."
You can find out about all of our events at www.norwichpride.org.uk
Nick O'Brien
Norwich Pride Press Officer
07717504210
nick@norwichpride.org.uk
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