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The Parade, which will take place on Saturday 27 August, is the city’s biggest, with tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ people and allies gathering to march through the city for equality, with thousands more lining the streets to take in the spectacular sea of colours.
The theme for the 2022 Parade is March for Peace, with the importance of peace in a world where all LGBTQ+ people are free to live and love without prejudice at its heart.
Mark Fletcher, CEO at Manchester Pride, said: “In 2020 we had decided to theme the parade as our March for Peace. Sadly the pandemic took hold and we were unable to take to the streets. As we look around the world today, this theme has become even more relevant. Conflict within and outside of our communities is rife and we are calling on our LGBTQ+ communities and allies around Greater Manchester to join in and support us as we March for Peace.”
Returning after Covid restrictions prevented the Parade for two years, it promises to be a show-stopping, feel good procession that organisers say will wow crowds across Manchester and send the world a big, bright, colourful message that everyone deserves to live and love with peace.
Mark Fletcher continued: “LGBTQ+ people have achieved so much in recent history, however, homophobic and transphobic hate crimes have increased in recent years, with many people still facing discrimination because of their identity.
“We are calling on our communities and its allies to come together, embrace differences, and to recognise that everyone deserves the right to be who they are and live their lives in peace.
“Our Parade message is loud and clear this year: No one is really free unless we are all free, and no one gets left behind.”
Registration is open for organisations to take part in the Parade, with entry categories refreshed in 2022 to enable more LGBTQ+ organisations and groups to participate for free, subsidised by larger organisations to wish to participate.
Unlike previous years, all LGBTQ+ organisations are categorised together whether they receive funding or not, and can apply to participate in the parade free of charge if they apply during the first application wave.
For more information can be found at https://www.manchesterpride.com/parade.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Manchester Pride is one of the UK's leading LGBTQ+ charities. Its vision is a world where LGBTQ+ people are free to live and love without prejudice. It is committed to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Greater Manchester and beyond.
Manchester Pride is part of a global Pride movement that celebrates advancements in equality and challenges discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ people. Every penny that the charity raises is ploughed back into the community in dedication of its goals. These are to celebrate LGBTQ+ life in Greater Manchester, campaign for the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality at home and abroad, raise awareness and support for LGBTQ+ mental health and support grassroots projects and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Greater Manchester.
Manchester Pride, in partnership with Virgin Atlantic, is its annual flagship event that takes over the city every year across the August bank holiday weekend in celebration of LGBTQ+ life. This year’s event will take place on Friday 26 – Monday 29 August 2022.
