The largest celebration of gender diversity in the UK will be returning to Manchester this weekend with plenty of live music, workshops and festivities.
The Sparkle Weekend will once again be held in the Gay Village, with the main stage in Sackville Gardens hosting the likes of Jordan Gray, Husk, Alexa Vox, Paris Munro, Lucky Roy Singh from the House of Spice, Ben Hodge and Monopoly Phonic.
The free festival, organised by national transgender charity Sparkle, has been a pillar of the trans and gender diverse community for 18 years and will run from today until Sunday (July 7-9).
Join our FREE LGBTQ+ WhatsApp group by clicking here
On Saturday (July 8), there will be a Trans Joy & Queer Power March taking place around the village, which will aim to bring 'joy, visibility and power to the community'.
Emphasising the importance of The Sparkle Weekend, Jade Kearslake, Vice Chair of Trustees for Sparkle, said: “The Sparkle Weekend is one of the largest celebrations of trans joy and gender diversity, offering trans people, and their friends and family a space to connect with others, find support, and build the community that we’re all in need of.
“With the current social and political climate increasingly challenging for trans and gender non-conforming individuals, Sparkle's work has become more vital than ever. The event aims to bring countless smiles, tears of laughter, and forge new friendships that will strengthen the community.”
Alongside live performances, there will also be a Family and Youth Zone, which has been made possible by a £1,000 Local Pride Grant from the Manchester Pride Community Fund. The zone will feature a safe environment for families to enjoy and have fun.
There will also be a designated Wellness Zone, featuring yoga, reiki, sound healing, meditation, and more. There will also be a Sensory Space, alcohol-free zones, and workshops based around the likes of creative writing and haircuts and hairstyling.
As always, the event will remain free to attend but visitors are now being advised to get tickets online ahead to ensure event safety. However, tickets are not compulsory and access will still be granted on the day. Those who wish to contribute towards the charity can also book a donation ticket, supporting fundraising efforts for The Sparkle Weekend 2024.
Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features
