For the first time since 2019, Newcastle's Pride march returned to the city centre - and thousands revelled in an party atmosphere as they made their way from the Civic Centre to Exhibition Park.
Marchers came from all walks of life and were all celebrating their right to exist as who they are. Those enjoying the festivities ranged from tiny toddlers to the older generation, and an inclusive event saw trans rights affirmed and campaigners raise awareness of just how diverse our community is.
There were some familiar faces - drag performers Danni DeLonco and Titania Gemini were having a ball, while fundraiser Colin Burgin-Plews, better known as the Big Pink Dress had ditched pink for a fetching rainbow number - but for many it was their first ever Pride march. Parents accompanied loved ones in shows of solidarity, while a brass band even played some classics to entertain the marchers.
Read more: Pride in Newcastle 2022: full line-up of Town Moor acts, events and activities for July weekend
Speaking as Pride got underway, Danni said: "Pride this year has very much been a move in the right direction. It's still important. We are getting more and more rights, we are almost equal, but we're not there yet." And Titania's dress included colours representing each group within the LGBTQ+ community.
For others, like Beki Eaton from the LGBT+ Northern Social Group, it was a fantastic chance to bring together a group which had begun virtually during the pandemic. She said: "We run the social group and it's the first Pride we've been in attendance as a group. It's so important to be visible."
The march began at the Civic Centre and passed along Northumberland Street and Blackett Street before turning back up Percy Street and heading towards its finale at the Town Moor. Billed as lasting around 50 minutes, this years Pride took far longer as thousands of brightly-dressed people snaked their way through the city.
Local firms from Proctor and Gamble to EE were present, as were groups from schools, the NHS, the police and the fire brigade. The trade union movement also had a strong presence in support of equal rights - with union Unite providing the brass band which performed tunes including Tom Jones' Delilah.
Phil Gee and Amber Lewis-Roberts from the band said they'd been up and down the country performing during Pride and Newcastle's lived up to expectations. Phil said: "It's been brilliant, pride is absolutely amazing and the atmosphere is wonderful."
Of course, in the spirt of forerunners including the likes of US activist and campaigner Marsha P Johnson - who was prominent in the Stonewall uprising in the 1960s - the Pride march also functioned as a protest. There were chants of "trans rights are human rights" leading the march, while banners and placards highlighted issues ranging from the waiting times for trans healthcare and discrimination against the intersex community.
Sammy Hanvy was holding a placard with detailing the 5-year wait for trans healthcare on the NHS. She said: "It's been an amazing day, but yes this is just a huge issue." She said that the NHS waits forced many to pay for costly private treatment."
An intersex campaigner also highlighted a group that can often be overlooked, holding the bright yellow intersex flag. She said: "This flag represents who I am, there's a huge sense of stigma and discrimination."
This year, Northern Pride in Newcastle was also hosting UK Pride - and organisers from the Northern Pride charity themed festivities around the LGBTQ+ history of protest. Ste Dunn, director of Northern Pride said: "“We’ve chosen a powerful theme this year, Remember, Resist, Rise Up, to pay homage to our collective history, resist oppression – with the pandemic having a disproportionate impact on LGBTQ+ people – and rise up to the challenges we still face."
As the march ended in Exhibition Park, massive crowds made their way onto the Town Moor for more entertainment ranging from a funfair to cabaret acts, while there was also the Rainbow Village full of stalls covering everything from health to radio. This came after acts include Todrick Hall and Bimini had shone on Friday evening - and more is planned for Sunday with appearances expected from acts including Louise Redknapp and Joe McElderry.
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