The Northern Pride team are extending the event through the summer this year with a series of events and shows to bring the LGBTQ+ community together in safe spaces.
We had a chat with festival organisers to find out what to expect this summer.
We had a chat with festival organisers to find out what to expect this summer.
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00:00So today we have announced our Pringe season, so starting early June, running right away through into July, we've got a series of events that will celebrate queer joy in all different forms from comedy to cabaret shows to networking events as well as a maker's market.
00:17Amazing, so in terms of you keeping the unapologetically visible branding this year, what does that mean to you?
00:23So unapologetically visible to me is the ability to be able to be my true authentic self without fear of persecution, challenge or question, which is something incredibly challenging right now for the community.
00:37So it's incredibly important for us as a charity and as an organisation to stay firm and to stay steadfast in saying that actually as queer people, we have so much to offer the community and to society that actually we will not be anything but unapologetically visible.
00:51And I guess that's more important now than ever over the last week or so with court rulings and all that sort of thing.
01:00But how have you seen that kind of impact the community as a whole?
01:03So the Supreme Court ruling has been incredibly disappointing to see and also to hear from recent government's folks persons talking about this.
01:12Essentially what is happening is we are seeing the erasure of trans rights, something that is incredibly disheartening and troublesome for members of our community who are just simply trying to live their life and go about their daily business.
01:27And they should not have to do that in fear of persecution or challenge.
01:31We're seeing this persecution against the trans community, which is unwarranted.
01:35There's no evidence to say that trans people are hurting anybody in any shape or form.
01:40So Northern Pride has always been a firm ally for the trans community and we see that is needed now more than ever.
01:47And we've created these events, not just in light of the Supreme Court hearing, but actually in light of many of the challenges that the trans community are facing.
01:56And we want to be able to say that actually we are creating some safe spaces for the trans community together to be themselves, to celebrate their identity and also to celebrate other people's identity and see some amazing artwork, some amazing performances and really form great connections with one another and build that support network, which is vastly needed.
02:16And so I'm looking forward to this summer now.
02:18You must be so excited to get it, get it onto us.
02:20A lot of, a lot of effort getting going on, isn't it?
02:22It's a huge team effort and, you know, I couldn't do it without the support of the Northern Pride team.
02:28We're a voluntary-led organisation and we couldn't do it without the support of the community and individuals that get involved and help us deliver the summer.
02:37Really looking forward to it.
02:38You know, last year was such a huge success taking over the city.
02:41So why would we not do it again?
02:43This time bigger.
02:44My pronouns are they, them.
02:46And hi, I'm Hayden.
02:47My pronouns are he, Hayden.
02:49And we're the producers of this year's Pride Fringe Festival.
02:52Amazing.
02:53So with the Fringe, it was a hell of an effort to get things going on.
02:56So obviously there's a lot going on this year.
02:57How has it been kind of building it all together?
03:00From behind the scenes, admittedly, it's stressful.
03:03Stressful.
03:04But we understand the importance of it.
03:06I think it was very important for us, based on last year's satellite events, to increase on the number of those and make sure there was as many safe spaces for queer people to celebrate queer joy throughout June and July.
03:17So we're trying to put events that are all over the city.
03:20We've got a lot of different variations.
03:22So we've got things that are less alcohol-based, things that are more about making friends, things that are more immersive.
03:28We spread them over the month, so it's a little bit less overwhelming for people to go to all of them as well.
03:32Just on the back of that, I think we've highlighted a lot of, I don't want to say problems in the queer community, but things like the queer community struggle with making friends in a safe space is very important to us, which is why we're doing our speed friending at NQ64.
03:46I think going, even simple things like going to the cinema and just feeling as safe as you possibly can, be surrounded by queer people and just having as much fun.
03:55Even as simple as going to a comedy night where you're scared, you might get heckled because you stand up from the crowd.
04:01We want to make sure all of those issues were null and void and everyone felt good and safe.
04:07And I guess as well, so unapologetically visible is the turn again this year.
04:11What does that mean to you?
04:12I think in the wake, especially of this political climate, a lot of queer people, especially the trans community, are retreating.
04:21I think a lot of people don't feel as safe as they used to on the streets.
04:25And our message, especially as an organisation, especially the Fringe and the Pride Festival, is to be out, be proud and be as loud as possible.
04:33And I think personally, to drown out the hate, it's better to create as much love as possible than fight against those who don't want us to exist.
04:44And I think one thing we found doing this is that there's so many organisations and businesses that want to be involved, which is why the month long, it gives everyone their own sort of space to put on something, be proud, be visible.
04:58And then it gives everyone a chance to do everything.