Background to Pride

Six years' ago the UK voted to legalise same sex marriages. 

50 years' ago the Stonewall Riots took place in America, which shaped a positive future for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender queer (LGBTQ+) community.

Pride month is celebrated in June every year, the exact same month that the Stonewall Riots took place in 1969. The Stonewall Riots were violent demonstrations and protests prompted by a police raid which took place at the Stonewall Inn (a gay bar) in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. The riots called for the establishment of safe places for gays and lesbians, so that they could speak freely about their sexual orientation and be themselves without fear of prosecution.

Every year since the Stonewall Riots there have been Pride marches and parades all over the world, to both commemorate the protests and celebrate the movement for sexual diversity and equality.

How are we supporting Pride this year?

Pasante are thrilled to be sponsoring our local event - Worthing Pride this year which is taking place on 13th July at Beach House Grounds! We will be there distributing free condoms, internal condoms and lubricant, providing information on sexual health and giving discounts to all celebrating Pride and attending the event. 

The first ever Worthing Pride took place last year, and it was a huge success with nearly 4,000 attendees - a great turn out, and nearly full capacity. We are hoping for the same turn out, if not better this year! 

There are three different events which make up Worthing Pride 2019:

1. The Proud Prom (28th June starting at 7:30pm) - Held at the Grand Victoria Hotel, Worthing. Proud Prom is a chance to dress to impress, all in aid of Hope Charity Project there will be a disco, burlesque, local drag artists and a prize for best dressed prom duo. Tickets cost £5.00.
2. Worthing Pride Parade Along the Promenade (13th July at 12pm) - The Parade begins on the Seafront Promenade (opposite The Burlington Hotel), continuing all the way along past Worthing Pier finishing at Splashpoint (opposite Crabshack and Denton Gardens). You'll need to register to take part in the parade, although registration is free. 
3. Worthing Pride Main Event (13th July at 1pm) - Located at Beach House Grounds, you can look forward to some seriously great acts and entertainers including Magic Queen, a dynamic Queen tribute band, and Richard Hadfield - Previous band member of Collabro, winners of Britain's Got Talent 2014. Tickets to the main event cost £4.50 if purchased in advance.

We would love to see you at the main event, so if you are interested in coming along please do join us in celebrating equality, equal rights and diversity. 

Or, for more information on Worthing Pride feel free to head over to their official website: https://www.worthingpride.co.uk/

Looking for something bigger?

To finish off, if you're looking to hit the biggest Pride events this year, here's a list of the biggest events taking place in the UK:

• Brighton Pride is the biggest LGBTQ+ Festival in the UK, being held at Preston Park between August 3rd - 5th, headlined by Miss Kylie Minogue herself.
• London Pride is on Saturday 7th July - Parading through the West End, followed by performances in Trafalgar Square (They're also hosting the UK's first ever Pride 10K run this year too)!
• Glasgow Pride takes place between 17th and 18th August. It's the largest celebration of its kind in Scotland! 
• Isle of Wight Pride is on 20th July. Titleholder of UK Pride 2018, this Pride is the only one in the UK to be held on a beach, what fun!
• Manchester Pride, will be held from 24th- 27th August, great timing being a Bank Holiday and all! Ariana Grande and Years and Years are to headline Manchester Pride Live (the concert) this year.
• Edinburgh Pride - On 22nd June, is to be headlined by former XFactor Judge and N-Dubz singer Tulisa!