Pride in Nature
RHS Garden Bridgewater was delighted to announce Pride In Nature was back on 30 June 2024. Now in its third year and taking place during Pride month, Pride In Nature 2024 looked to build on the success of previous events and celebrate all things LGBTQIA+ in the beautiful natural environment.
During the day there were a host of activities taking part across the garden from in conversations, performances and this year for the first time the day long celebration ended with the first Pride In Nature parade.
The full programme of events included:
In Conversation with …
“In Conversation With …” was an enlightening panel discussion that brought together voices from the LGBTQIA+ community to share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. As we navigate through the complexities of identity, rights, and social acceptance, this panel aimed to shed light on the diverse narratives within the LGBTQIA+ community, and remind us why Pride events are not only a celebration of love and identity but also a crucial platform for advocacy and change.
Greater Manchester LGBTQIA+ Community Area
The Greater Manchester LGBTQIA+ Community Area was a vibrant space dedicated to bringing together the LGBTQIA+ community and allies to celebrate love, acceptance, and learn all about the amazing work being done by these communities, in a space for reflection and celebration of the progress we’ve made together.
Family Drag Queen Bingo
We were ready to dab our way through a garden of diversity and inclusivity, where every bingo card blooms with the promise of fun, laughter, and a celebration of love in all its forms. Hosted by the most dazzling drag queens from BarPop & The Church in Manchester, this family-friendly bingo extravaganza was designed to entertain and inspire attendees of all ages.
Drag Queen Gardener’s Question Time
Don’t let your garden be a drag – the drag queens helped make it fabulous! Drag Queen Gardener’s Question Time transformed our garden into a space that’s bursting with life, colour, and a touch of fabulousness where diversity blooms and inclusivity grows. The expert panel answered our gardening questions to make sure that no matter what we’re planting, we are doing it with style, sass, and a sprinkle of drag queen magic.
Pride In Nature Parade
Pride In Nature 2024 concluded with the inaugural Pride Parade at RHS Garden Bridgewater – a vibrant celebration of love, diversity, and nature like you’ve never seen before. Featuring performers from throughout the day, alongside heartfelt contributions from Greater Manchester LGBT+ Community Groups, this event promised to be a kaleidoscope of colour, culture, and celebration. History was made together at the first Pride In Nature Parade at RHS Garden Bridgewater. Let’s bloom in unity and diversity.
Pride Season – dates for the diary
Greater Manchester’s Pride Season continues and the following Prides are scheduled during July:
Sparkle Weekend – Friday 12 – Sunday 14 July
Rochdale in Rainbows – Saturday 13 July
Oldham Pride – Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 July
Leigh Pride – Saturday 27 July
London Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
This year, London Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline is celebrating its 50th birthday. Since 1974, it is estimated there have been up to 10,000 Switchboard volunteers who have participated in over 4 million conversations with folks across the UK.
Founded on 4 March 1974, Switchboard LGBT+ is the oldest LGBT+ telephone helpline in the UK. Originally founded in a small room above a bookshop near King’s Cross station as London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard, for 50 years the helpline has provided a safe space for LGBT+ people to discuss topics including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and emotional wellbeing.
During this time, Switchboard has been at the forefront of supporting LGBT+ people. In the aftermath of the partial decriminalisation of male homosexuality in 1967, it was a vital source of information and support for the UK’s gay community as it faced a hostile press and a police campaign that ruthlessly targeted gay spaces. In the 1980s, Switchboard was the leading source of information on HIV/Aids, holding the UK’s first conference on the disease without receiving any government funding. It also helped people to navigate Section 28 – the infamous law that prevented local authorities from promoting or publicising homosexuality. In the following decade, Switchboard supported the LGBT+ community in the aftermath of the Admiral Duncan nail bombing in 1999. Its volunteers answered hundreds of calls from concerned friends and relatives but also helped many people deal with the after-effects of the attack. While trans people face elevated levels of discrimination and are vilified in certain quarters of the media, Switchboard continues to offer calm words as queer identities develop and adapt.
Switchboard volunteers have provided support and vital information to generations of LGBT+ people, their friends, families and allies. So, we say a HUGE thank you to each and every person who has picked up a phone, responded to a chat message or replied to an email to offer a non-judgmental, caring and empathetic response.
Our community wouldn’t be the same without you.
Out in the City 