Month of Pride in Sunderland starts on Saturday at the Bridges
A community update from your area
A month of celebration, education and commemoration begins in Sunderland this weekend (Saturday, June 1) as the city's month-long Pride activities kick off. Organised by Out North East, this free festival features international music acts, film screenings, workshops, family-friendly activities and exhibitions, making it Sunderland’s largest Pride event to date.
The festivities start with a grand launch event at the Bridges, offering something for everyone. A Pride tree will be set up at Central Square, where shoppers can hang their messages.
Saturday's events include children’s story time with drag queen Miss Gloria Love at 11am and 1pm, and a placard-making workshop for all ages from 11am to 3pm at Unit 8, next to Primark. This unit will also serve as a Pride information hub throughout the month.
Children are invited to contribute to a large-scale art project from 10am, placing handprints on a giant canvas. The completed artwork will be unveiled during the Pride march on June 29.
Throughout the festival, the Bridges will host the 'A Flag in the Map' exhibition, sponsored by Grand Central Rail and produced by human rights charity, Report Out. This exhibit features photographs and stories that highlight the universal power of the Rainbow Flag to inspire LGBTQ+ people, especially in countries where their existence is threatened.
Peter Darrant, chair of Out North East, expressed his excitement: “This weekend is going to be the start of an amazing month in Sunderland, which we hope everyone will embrace and take part in." Karen Eve, Centre Director of the Bridges, said: “We are delighted that the Bridges is able to help launch this year’s Pride in Sunderland and that we are able to be involved in the event throughout its duration.”
Pride in Sunderland will culminate in the annual march on June 29, followed by a day of live performances, including boyband East 17, RuPaul Drag Race star Choriza May and local drag queens.
For the full programme of Pride activities in Sunderland, visit www.outnortheast.org.uk.
Location: Sunderland City Council
