THE organiser of Wirral Pride has hailed the 2024 event a “massive success”.
Wirral Pride returned for its third year on Saturday (August 31) at the Victoria Quarter in New Brighton.
Hundreds of people turned out for the event to celebrate the local LGBTQ+ community in the borough.
Founder and Director of Pride on the Wirral, Jamie Carter, told the Globe: “This years Wirral Pride was a massive success.
“I have been absolutely blown away by all the feedback and all the beautifully kind words from the community and beyond.
“It was beautiful to see people from all walks of life coming together, smiling, laughing, and showing so much love towards each other no matter who they were.
“It was even more important after what has been such a turbulent time recently in Merseyside and the UK as a whole.
“The first year we did this event we didn't even have a stage, we had to use the steps outside the floral pavilion, last year we had a small stage which was more of a platform than a stage but this year we had a full stage with full sound and lights and confetti cannons and everything.
“It’s amazing to see how far we have come, but that is only thanks to the support we have received.”
The day started at 10.30am with an opening speech and muster which was followed by a minute silence before live stage performances started as well as market stalls featuring local traders.
The event was hosted by Married at First Sight’s Thomas Hartley who performed as their drag alter ego Pam Sandwich.
Jamie said: “The amount of messages and comments we have had with feedback that is all positive has been overwhelming and very emotional for us.
“Some people have said it has been their Pride of the season, which as a relatively new pride is incredible.
“Some of my favourite moments were seeing such diversity in our area. Everyone from new born babies right through to elderly LGBTQ+ couples enjoying the day.
“Also seeing our special guests like the Mayor and Mayoress, Dame Angela Eagle, Leader of Wirral Council Paul Stuart all speaking at the opening of the event and then going onto enjoying rest of it. Also seeing some of our traders completely selling out and even one of them having to call family to bring down more stock.”
Speaking of the future of the event, Jamie added: “It’s been so hard to keep this one quiet but behind the scenes we have been working on setting up our new year round leg of the organisation Wirral Pride 365.
“We will be working with many other service providers to bring back services for LGBTQ+ adults in the area, we want to particularly work with organisations like police, mental health, sexual health, and any other support our community might need.
“As part of this we are also setting up a committee so every part of the community has a voice in what we do.
“Also next year will be the first time Wirral Pride will have a march too which has been something we have wanted to do for a while.
“It gives the community an amazing chance to stand proud and for our allies to stand with us side by side and show we are here and we are proud.
“Wirral Pride will always be free to attend for the public and as we are a non-profit we will need local businesses and the public to support this to happen.
“I’m especially excited for the future of our organisation after how far we have come since the first year.”
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