Pride goes great
THE Manchester Pride parade was the greatest show on Earth on Saturday – as thousands of spectators watched the Circus of Acceptance roll through town.
Ringmasters, acrobats and clowns all embraced this year’s theme as the procession made its way through the city centre.
Corrie stars led the spectacle once again and went all out with their costumes, including Nicola Thorp and Charlie de Melo in their Greatest Showman-inspired ensembles.
They were joined by cast-mates past and present including Antony Cotton, Hayley Tamaddon, Rob Mallard, Alexandra Marvell and Katie McGlynn, while stars including Dolly Rose Campbell and Bhavna Limbachia walked in front of the float waving rainbow flags.
Little Mix star Jade Thirwell also made a surprise appearance on board the Stonewall float after speaking at a youth pride event earlier in the day.
She told the M.E.N: “As an ally of the LGBT community I was really excited to be part of today and to spend time talking with young people about what it means to be an ally.
“It was really emotional actually. I feel like as someone in the public eye and as an artist it’s our duty to raise awareness, especially when we have LGBT fans.
“It’s my first ever Pride and it’s been one of the best experiences of my life seeing how much it means to some of the young people, who might have struggled coming out. Seeing them here being proud of who they are is amazing.”
Line dancers, bagpipers, carnival drummers and even a rainbowstriped digger added to the riot of colour and music as the parade made its way from Liverpool Road to Fairfield Street.
Crowds thronged the streets to watch, with the pavements packed five people deep along Peter Street.
Manchester Pride CEO Mark Fletcher said he was thrilled to see so many people out supporting the event and enjoying its theme.
“We wanted to take ownership of the way that the circus days were, where it was for outcasts and people who were not welcome in society.
“We wanted to take ownership of that really and to say that our circus is a Circus of Acceptance.
“We welcome and celebrate everybody for their individuality. That’s what today is all about.”
Manchester Pride’s Big Weekend continued on Saturday night in the Gay Village with performances from Gok Wan, Nadine Coyle, Disciples and Sigala, last night saw a headline performance from Rita Ora and tonight Alexandra Burke takes to the stage.