Storytelling, craft workshops and a host of family events are on offer in Sunderland this month as the Bridges celebrates Pride.
The month-long free festival of international music acts, film screenings and exhibitions will be Sunderland’s biggest-ever Pride, organised by Out North East.
A Flag in the Map exhibition – sponsored by Grand Central Rail and produced by human rights charity, Report Out – will run throughout June in Unit 8 at the Bridges and feature photographs and stories “that reaffirm the universal power of the Rainbow Flag to inspire LGBTQ+ people – especially in countries where their everyday existence is threatened”.
The unit will also act as an information hub for Pride during the duration of the festival.
Karen Eve, centre director at the Bridges, said the centre was delighted to play an active role in the event. “Pride in Sunderland is going to be fantastic celebration of our LGBTQ+ community and we are delighted to be supporting it with events and activities for all the family.”
Peter Darrant, chair of Out North East, said he was “overwhelmed” by the support being shown for the festival throughout the city.
“We are very grateful to the Bridges and all the many other people and businesses which are supporting Pride in Sunderland and helping us make it the best one yet, he said.
Elsewhere in the city, the festival – which runs until 29 June will feature a non-stop line up of entertainment, including performances by boyband East 17, RuPaul Drag Race star, Choriza May and local drag queens.
A family picnic with music, a mini-Pride for children and activities, will take place at Sunniside Gardens on June 9 in partnership with Sunderland AFC and the Foundation of Light, Stagecoach and Sunderland BID.
