Manchester Pride 2020 is calling on the community and its allies to come together, respect the labels, embrace differences, and to recognise that everyone deserves the right to be who they are and live their lives in peace.
Manchester Pride Parade on Saturday 29th August will be March for Peace, as the LGBTQ+ charity shares it’s vision for peace in a world where all LGBTQ+ people are free to live and love without prejudice.
“Every year I am asked do we still need a Pride celebration and every year I say yes we do. Statistics show us that more than half of all black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBTQ+ people have reported experiencing discrimination or poor treatment within their local LGBTQ+ network because of their ethnicity and whilst we have certainly made great leaps in our mission to rid the world of discrimination it isn’t yet an even playing field.”
Mark Fletcher, chief executive for Manchester Pride
The Manchester Pride Parade starts on Liverpool Road, passing by the Town Hall and the Gay Village before finishing on Whitworth Street. In recent years it has been led by some of the most prominent faces in the LGBT+ world including Orange Is The New Black actress Lea DeLaria, national treasure Sir Ian McKellen and Manchester’s first out Lord Mayor, Carl Austin-Behan.
“We must support every single member of every single LGBTQ+ community and fight until they feel equal and free to be themselves. This is why this year we will March For Peace as we ask the world to recognise that the fight has only just begun.”
Mark Fletcher, chief executive for Manchester Pride
Adam, whose new single Roses featuring Nile Rodgers is out now, will play Manchester Pride as part of his European ‘Velvet Tour’ in support of new album ‘Velvet’, set for release on March 20th . The show is one of two UK dates, and will be the celebration of LGBTQ+ life which is delivered by charity Manchester Pride. Lambert will perform at the two day event at Mayfield on Sunday 30 August.
Adam Lambert is an openly gay, American singer, songwriter and actor who, since 2009, has sold over 3 million albums and 5 million singles worldwide. He rose to fame in 2009 on the eighth season of American Idol and is renowned as frontman for Queen who will also be touring in 2020.
“We are beyond thrilled that Adam has created a space in his tour to join in our celebrations of LGBTQ+ life in Manchester. As a charity that campaigns for LGBTQ+ equality all year round it’s incredibly important to us that we showcase the breadth of LGBTQ+ artists who provide inspiration to all. To have such an influential LGBTQ activist as Adam choose to perform at Manchester Pride Live is testament to the reputation that Manchester has as a leading City, worldwide in the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality.”
Mark Fletcher, chief executive for Manchester Pride
Adam is the first of many more artist announcements to come. Watch this space for more great LGBTQ+ performers and allies!
“I am so excited to perform at Manchester Pride for the very first time! Something I have always wanted to do! I keep hearing that LGBTQ + representation is on fire over there and I can’t wait to be part of it and see you soon!”
Adam Lambert
Manchester Pride 2020 is in partnership with Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays and will return for another weekend of campaigning, celebrating and fundraising for LGBTQ+ life in Greater Manchester over the August Bank Holiday.
Tickets to Manchester Pride Festival are available now.
Rainbow passes start at £35 for a day pass and £65 for the whole weekend.
A rainbow pass entitles festival goers to access to two days at Manchester Pride Live and four days at the Gay Village Party over the bank holiday weekend.
VIP ticket holders will get the opportunity to experience the VIP Hideaway area at Manchester Pride Live, where they can slip away from the crowds and retreat to enjoy a VIP bar, restroom facilities and more. In response to feedback received from the 2019 event, the organisers have elevated their VIP offering to enhance celebrations over August Bank Holiday weekend and create an experience to remember at Manchester Pride Festival.
Manchester Pride Live 2020 will be held at Mayfield, the emerging neighbourhood which has become one of the city’s most spectacular new cultural venues as it undergoes a £1.4bn regeneration scheme led by the Mayfield Partnership.
“The status of Manchester’s Pride celebration grows every year and we felt privileged to host the first Manchester Pride Live at Mayfield in 2019 as part of our mission to reconnect this part of the city centre with Manchester and the wider world.”
James Heather, Development Director for the Mayfield Partnership.
To find out more about Manchester Pride 2020 follow the charity on Twitter @manchesterpride or visit the website at manchesterpride.com.
As always, the heart of Manchester Pride Festival remains firmly in The Gay Village, where Manchester Pride will celebrate LGBTQ+ life with an incredible line-up of community talent, performances, The Expo, markets, amazing food and drink, parties amongst the Village venues and so much more!
The annual Manchester Pride Parade will fill the streets with colour on Saturday 29th August as Manchester marches and protests for LGBTQ+ equality, with hundreds of thousands gathering to cheer them on along the way. Keep an eye out for this year’s Parade theme announcement!
After a phenomenal inaugural year, Manchester Pride Live will return to Mayfield from Saturday 29th – Sunday 30th August, where the charity will celebrate with another stellar line-up of international talent across multiple stages, fun activities, fantastic food & drink and lots more to be announced.
Youth Pride MCR is an event especially curated for LGBTQ+ young people aged 16 to 25 aimed at creating a safe and nourishing space where the younger members of the community enjoy a variety of exciting performances and activities.
The Superbia Weekend is Manchester Pride Festival and is a free-to-attend, alcohol-free space, offering a weekend of culturally rich LGBTQ+ celebrations spanning, art, film, performance, conversation and more.
The Candlelit Vigil will continue to close the four days with a moment of reflection in Sackville Gardens. The home of Alan Turing and the Beacon of Hope will again be turned into a sea of flickering candles as Manchester remembers those lost to HIV, those who are suffering, those who are persecuted, and recognise the many challenges that are still faced by LGBTQ+ communities here and around the world.
