The first weekend in August sees the city erupt in a riot of colour, all in celebration of Brighton Pride’s 25th anniversary. It’ll be the culmination of a month-long festival filled with arts, music, live performances, DJs, literature, theatre, canine wonders, film, club nights, drag, campaigning, community history and dance.
The centrepiece of the celebrations is the Pride Community Parade, which winds its way through the city from 11am, on Sat 1 Aug. Now commencing from Hove Lawns, over 160,000 participants and spectators are expected for the UK’s boldest and brightest Pride parade.
This parade’s final destination is the Brighton Pride Festival in Preston Park, which is set to be a summer sensation, with a star-studded line-up of artists, performers, musicians, campaigners and DJs. You’ll be able to spend an unforgettable afternoon in the company of The Human League (top), global superstar DJ Fatboy Slim, ‘Orange Is The New Black’ star Ruby Rose (below) and the critically acclaimed Hercules & Love Affair. Other performers include the Grammy Award winners Foxes and Jess Glynne, international DJ and producer Seamus Haji, house duo Prok & Fitch, chart-topping vocalist Ella Henderson and X Factor judge and legendary pop star Tulisa.
Preston Park will be filled with vibrant celebrations throughout the day, with a diverse collection of community and entertainment areas including: The Wild Fruit Big Top, Legends Cabaret Tent hosted by Lola Lasagne – which will star the UK’s finest cabaret and drag acts, the Radio Reverb Alternative Performance Stage – showcasing the best in Brighton talent – and the Men’s Zone supported by Brighton Bear Weekender and The Women’s Dance Tent.
The Access Tent and Gate are moving to the south end of Preston Park this year, making it easier for those with disabilities and mobility requirements to enjoy the day. The Family Diversity Area will offer families a chance to enjoy a range of activities, alongside the exciting live entertainment planned for the day. Whether you’re relaxing in the chill out area, enjoying the family-friendly entertainment, getting creative with arts and craft activities or having a wiggle at our end of Pride Families Rainbow Disco, this fun, safe and alcohol-free area will be the perfect family day out. The Community Village will once again be at the centre of our Pride celebrations as community businesses, voluntary and charitable organisations come together to enable Pride-goers to connect, chat, support and shop. f
Back in the centre of town, The Pride Village Party takes place Sat 1 – Sun 2 Aug. Making its debut last year, it was hailed a huge success, offering a safe and relaxed atmosphere for this unique community event. New for this year’s party is the fabulous Tipple Temple Pride Village Fayre, which is set to make it a weekend to remember. Performers and DJs ready to party with Pride include Joe Black, Frankie Furlow, Boogaloo Stu and the English Disco Lovers. It’s safe, fun and utterly fabulous, for just the equivalent price of a bus ticket.
But Brighton Pride isn’t just about that weekend’s celebrations. Across the city, the preceding month sees a rich and varied diary of events, all celebrating diversity within our community. On Sat 18 – Sun 19 July, Brighton & Hove will come together for The Pride Diversity Games 2015. This unique event sees community groups, businesses and individuals unite through sport regardless of sexuality, race, age or ability. Sponsored by Domestic & General, supported by Albion In The Community and Minimal Sportswear, the Games offer a weekend of sporting achievements and fun-filled inclusive events. Swimming, tennis, football, rugby, athletics, basketball, volleyball, badminton, bowling and lawn bowls will come to venues like Withdean Stadium, Preston Park, Hollingbury Golf Course and Waterhall.
The 5K Rainbow Colour Run (above) on Sun 19 July will be loads of messy colourful fun. Open to all individuals regardless of age or ability, it promises to be the most colourful fundraising event in the Brighton Pride Festival calendar. Everyone who enters will get a race medal and the winners will also have the opportunity to ride the Diversity Games Winners Float in the Pride Community Parade. Alongside the run, Preston Park will be filled with activities. These include ‘Fun Day’ classics – egg & spoon, sack race, tug of war challenge and the three-legged race plus live entertainment, sporting demonstrations, inflatable football, a military assault course, Zorbs and the Pride Diversity Games prize giving ceremony.
The best in LGBT+ cinema, theatre and arts will come to town on Thurs 16 July – Mon 3 Aug, in the Brighton Pride Arts and Film Festival (BPAFF). Treats on offer include Panti Bliss’ ‘High Heels In Low Places’ at Kemptown’s Spire and the cinematic delights of ‘Eyes Wide Open’ at the Duke Of York’s Picturehouses. Other events include: ‘Dressed As A Girl’, ‘Sink The Pink’, Scottee’s ‘Camp’, Spirited Pictures ‘We Are Pride’ and Brighton Pride25 tracing the history of the event at Jubilee Library.
The year’s most wonderfully accessible of events, the Pride Dog Show (above), comes to Hove Rugby Club on Sun 26 July. It’ll feature awards for numerous categories, retail stalls, a glamorous catwalk doggy fashion show, bar and refreshments. Coastway Veterinary Group will be overseeing all entries and judging each category, ensuring every star pooch gets the recognition their proud paws deserve.
Commemorating of the many trailblazers and supporters who fought for the LGBT+ equality we all enjoy today, Brighton Pride is diverse, flamboyant and always fabulous. The jewel in the UK’s Pride events calendar, this year it’s set to be bigger than ever, uniting Brighton & Hove in a Carnival Of Diversity we can all be proud of.
2015’s Brighton Pride Community Parade comes to the city on Sat 1 Aug, with events spanning the previous month.
