Tag: pride

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Thank You For Making Levenshulme Pride 2021 Possible

Thank you.
 
Thank you to everyone who made Levenshulme Pride such an amazing success this year. Our comeback was driven by our whole community and we created a wonderful weekend together.
 
We had dozens of venues and locations, activities and events, and stuck firm to our commitment that everything is free to attend.
 
Despite reservations about what would be possible this year we were bigger than ever. Our range of activities was expanded including a cabaret, poetry and spoken word, drag acts, DJs, live music, workshops, peer support group, community dementia group Pride Party, 4km run, bike ride, drag workout sessions and swimming, film screenings, food and drink offers, karaoke, dog show, community and information stalls, an art show and market, crafting, open mic night, a vigil and of course our march turning the A6 into the Gay6. Particular thanks to the police for their support including appropriately providing a panda car at the end of our march.
 
Our tagline of Levenshulme Pride: No Barriers works on multiple levels – economic, social, physical, cultural – to represent the principles of Levenshulme Pride as an open, inclusive, welcoming event that truly builds community cohesion, understanding and participation.
 
None of this would be possible without the support of sponsors, advertisers, performers, volunteers, supporters, community groups, individuals and LGBT+ organisations who partnered with us (including the LGBT Foundation providing safe sex packs, health advice and support). Thank you to the people and businesses of our wonderful community with a special mention to our main sponsor, The Levenshulme.
 
We are Pride with a Purpose. We are a People’s Pride. Thank you to everyone who made Levenshulme Pride possible including, of course, everyone who came along, took part and helped make Levenshulme Pride so special.
 
On a personal note thank you to my partner Paul Magrs who has not only been incredibly patient, understanding and supportive but also performed with an amazing cabaret routine introducing Panda, the Cat and the dreadful Teddy to the world, and provided the fabulous artwork for Levenshulme Pride.
 
We will be holding other activities through the year but dates for the future for our main Levenshulme Pride event are:
  • 12-14 August 2022
  • 11-13 August 2023.
Jeremy Hoad
Levenshulme Pride Organiser
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Levenshulme Pride Brochure and Programme

Our brochure for Levenshulme Pride 2019 is being finalised now and will be winging its way to the printer tomorrow. Keep an eye out for brochures appearing around Levenshulme, in the Gay Village and other locations in the city centre from the end of next week.

Our programme of activities will be available the week before Levenshulme Pride as a printed information sheet. This will also be available here on our website and social media so you can see everything that’s happening.

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No Outsiders: LGBT teaching in schools Public Meeting

Over the last few weeks there have been demonstrations at Parkfield School in Birmingham with people objecting to any LGBT content in the curriculum. The specific programme objected to is run under the banner of “No Outsiders”. It covers a wide range of topics such as race, ethnicity, religion, identity, safety and different families a well as an understanding of LGBT people in the community. The overall theme is difference and diversity and all topics are taught in an age appropriate way.

This week a post was shared on Facebook about a meeting held at a business in Levenshulme also objecting to “LGBT being taught” in local schools. Videos and material posted showed a clear lack of understanding about what is being taught in schools as part of pupils’ personal development. The fact such a meeting has taken place with completely false allegations being made has caused considerable consternation and even fear in our community. That is not acceptable.

To counter the misinformation being spread in our community we will be organising a public meeting so people can better understand the reality of the situation and not rely on incorrect rumours being spread.

Levenshulme is a multicultural home to people with all kinds of beliefs. The mutual support, tolerance and understanding within our community must not be undermined by ignorance and groups attacking each other. That can only lead to tensions, distrust and fear.

Levenshulme Pride is the largest community Pride in Manchester. We strive to be inclusive and welcoming to all regardless of any personal characteristic. Levenshulme Pride also strives to celebrate the diversity and difference within our community. Challenging misconceptions and promoting equality and respect for all LGBT people is at the heart of what we do. We started in response to a homophobic attack and we will continue to resist attacks on the LGBT community through celebration, community cohesion, information, education and acts of inclusion and understanding.

Further information and details of the meeting will be announced as soon as arrangements are confirmed.

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Manchester Bee Proud Awards

Why not nominate a person or a group in Levenshulme for a Be Proud Award to recognise and celebrate people who make a difference in our community?

The Manchester Be Proud Awards close at midnight on Sunday 9th September.

Nominations can be made HERE

“This is our chance to celebrate the volunteers and unsung heroes who work hard to make ‘Our Manchester’ so great. We know that these groups and individuals make a big difference in our communities and help to make Manchester the thriving, friendly and buzzing city it is. Be Proud is our chance to say a big “thank you” and celebrate their work.

Do you know a group of people or a person who really stands out in your local community? Show you appreciate all they do by nominating them in this year’s Be Proud Awards.

This year there are twelve categories to choose from, and our lucky finalists and their nominator will be invited to a glittering gala dinner and award ceremony in November, held at the beautiful Midland Hotel.

Roll out the red carpet, sound the fanfare and get nominating your unsung heroes and dedicated volunteers!”

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Bee strong regardless of hatred

Our bunting on the Village Green where we held our Vigil and thank you ceremony was torn down and our rainbow flags have been stolen. Such a shame someone didn’t want people to enjoy them until we had a chance to take them down ourselves.

Never mind. Levenshulme Pride was a spectacular three days of wonderful things. The bunting on the Bee With No Name survived and we remain strong standing together against hatred.

”The weirdest Village Fete I’ve ever been to” (overheard comment) will be back again next year bringing joy and happiness to Levenshulme.

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So that’s it for now.

Well, that’s it for now. Levenshulme Pride 2018 has come to an end. Three days of wonderfulness made possible by the people who took part, performers, sponsors, businesses, people who came up with such amazing ideas and made them happen, all the various LGBT groups and community groups involved, the people of Levenshulme and the people who visited to be part of our People’s Pride.

Doing Levenshulme Pride for the second year is a bit like that difficult second album. Will it live up to the success of the first? Will people still be interested? It turns out yes, absolutely, definitely and categorically people have embraced Levenshulme Pride and (with a Rocky Horror reference) want more, more, more.

We are a Pride in Levenshulme, a Pride by Levenshulme and a Pride for Levenshulme. Above all we are proud of Levenshulme.

We’ll all be having a well earned rest and tidying things up but don’t go away… we’ll be back in 2019 and also to bring some more loveliness to Levenshulme well before then.

Thank you.

PS If you want to tell us what you thought what you liked or how we can do things better then please do. All feedback is welcome.

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A People’s Pride for Levenshulme

Levenshulme Pride is a Pride for Levenshulme and a chance for people to show their pride in Levenshulme.

Standing together. Celebrating together.

Levenshulme Pride: No Barriers

A People’s Pride. Everyone welcome. Everything free to attend.

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Stalls at Levenshulme Pride

We have a great line up of stalls at Levenshulme Pride. Stalls are open 12.00-17.00 on Saturday 18th August at The Klondyke, 1 Burnage Range.

  • Biphoria
  • Bug and Bee Creations
  • George House Trust
  • Incredible Edible Levenshulme
  • Levenshulme WI
  • LGBT Foundation
  • LGBT+ Labour
  • LGBT+ Libdems
  • Manchester Health Care Commissioning
  • Manchester Parents Group
  • Northern Grind
  • Rylan Cavell and Paul Magrs artwork
  • Rescue Kitties Manchester
  • Stockport Carnival Tombola
  • Treasured-Self
  • Village FA

Also check out the Levenshulme Pride Night Market, 17.00-21.00 on Friday 17th August on the Station car park with a Disco theme including DJ Rob Bright.