Northern Pride is creating a space for everybody at this year’s Pride in the City, presented in partnership with Newcastle NE1. The festival weekend will see the largest Family and Youth Zone to date, located at the Assembly Rooms, Westgate Road. Supported by civil engineering organisation, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, the Family and Youth zone is a free space which caters for LGBTQIA+ families and queer young people, with hands-on activities, arts and crafts, and live performances, the zone will be open Saturday 20 July from 12 pm-5 pm. In line with its mission to showcase local talent, the space will feature a range of performances, workshops and readings, and aims to bring families and young people with shared experiences together, where they feel safe and can see and relate to wonderful families like theirs. Director of Northern Pride, Ste Dunn, said: “The Family and Youth zone is one of our most popular areas, and so we wanted to go even bigger and better this year, to create an exciting and unique area where families and young people can go to feel inspired and understood. With this year’s theme Unapologetically Visible’, it’s important for young people to see others like them, and to be able to relate to and share experiences with like-minded people and families. After its substantial investment, we’re looking forward to bringing people together at one of Newcastle’s oldest and grandest Georgian buildings.” Chris Dransfield, Social Value Manager from Morgan Sindall Infrastructure added: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Family and Youth zone again at this year’s Pride in the City. It’s an incredibly important part of the festival and the Pride story and a real opportunity to involve as many people as possible, of all ages and families in the celebrations. Its new location will bring joy to a huge audience this year and with so much going on it’s something we can all be really proud of. As the main contractor on the six new stations which will be created as part of the reintroduced Northumberland line, connecting communities is at the heart of what we do – which is why working with Northern Pride is so important to us.” Northern Pride has curated a special programme of events to keep everyone entertained in the Family and Youth Zone this year. Featuring a range of exclusive performances, workshops and readings for everyone to enjoy. The Programme:   ATOMS Education - The Sound of Science: Countdown to Chaos! ATOMS Education CIC, is an LGBTQIA+-led organisation that provides workshops to children around science, technology, engineering, arts and maths. They are joining us on the Family and Youth stage for a fantastic new interactive show: The Sound ofScience: Countdown to Chaos! Time : 1:00PM BookWyrm – Durham Bookshop BookWyrm is an indie queer bookshop owned by a husband/husband duo, who will be bringing their amazing Durham bookshop to Newcastle this year to provide a pop-up children’s bookshop in the Family and Youth Zone open from 12-5 pm. With a focus on LGBTQIA+ books as well as those by local authors, Miles Nelson, will be providing a reading of his own works from 12:30-1 pm. Time: 12:-5 pm Drag Castle A dazzling family show featuring the fabulous Frida Sapphic, the charismatic Baron LaVey, and the enchanting Ivy! A vibrant afternoon of inspirational drag performances and heartwarming entertainment for all ages. Experience the joy, creativity, and inclusivity of Pride in a show that promises to be unforgettable. Time: 3:00 pm Lucy Phurr The fabulous and fierce queen Lucy Phurr is back by popular demand this year to round off the Family and Youth Zone with a Family Disco! Get your dancing feet on and prepare to boogie and celebrate. Time :4:00pm Sarah Fae – Rainbow Brain Local children’s author Sarah Fae will be joining us in the Family and Youth Zone this year. She will be debuting her latest creation ‘Rainbow Brain,’ with us, bringing a love of art, literacy, colour & magic. Time: 12-5:00 pm Recyke y’bike Recyke y'bike is a charity passionate about recycling bikes and giving them back to the community. The team offer multiple services including bike maintenance lessons, bike servicing, young volunteering opportunities, women's workshops and LGBTQ+ workshops. You can find them outside the Family and Youth Zone for pride this year offering advice on how to look after your bikes! Time: 12-5:00 pm True Colours True Colours are back, after a whirlwind year featuring on DIY SOS with Strictly Come Dancing Stars they are back for a celebration showcase of music, dance, drama and singing! Time: 2 pm Unfolding Theatre The Family and Youth Zone wouldn’t be complete without the Unfolding Theatre’s amazing upcycled stage and we are delighted to say that it is coming with us to the Assembly Rooms this year!! Check out the App or watch out for posts on the lineup this year, expect book reading, science chaos, Family Drag and Disco! The Unfolding Theatre will also be providing a wonderful drop-in workshop throughout the day based on adventures, dragons and more! Time: 12-5pm These events feature as part of a wider programme of exciting events which will celebrate the wonderfully vibrant queer community, the valuable impact they have on society and the richness of their talents. Events are running from July 5th to 21st, in the lead-up to Pride in the City. The main event, which will take place over the weekend of 19th -21st July, has moved from the Town Moor to various locations across Newcastle. The Pride Arena, at Central Park in Times Square, will host Drag icons, 90s favourites, top DJs, leading tribute acts and local stars for this year’s new-look Northern Pride. Across the city, the Curious Arts Stage will take over Northern Stage, the Family and Youth activities will consume the newly renovated Assembly Rooms, and the vibrant market stalls will take over the streets surrounding Greys Monument and Old Eldon Square, truly encompassing a city-wide take over.

Additional dates have been added to this year’s Pride in the City events programme running from 5th - 21st July . Northern Pride continues to champion local talent, with a host of events announced, providing six commissioned artists with the platform to showcase their creativity during this year’s Pride in the City, presented in partnership with Newcastle NE1. Azula Bandit and Chris Fleming (IDa4) were announced as the two artists selected to receive full creative commissions last month, following a commissions call out in partnership with Creative Central NCL and Curious Arts. A further four local artists were also awarded a ‘Get Ready Grant’, spanning dance, writing, physical art, and music. Jenny Chrisp, Emory Southwick, Alison Carr, and The Girls, Theys and Slays Choir led by Maya Torres and Rosie Bowden have received £750 of funding to enhance their art and explore new ideas. The call-out challenged artists to respond to the theme Unapologetically Visible, highlighting what this means to them and how it is expressed and explored through their creativity. The call-out challenged artists to respond to the theme Unapologetically Visible, highlighting what this means to them and how it is expressed and explored through their creativity. Director of Northern Pride, Ste Dunn, said: “It’s important that we continue to recognise the huge pool of talent that exists in the North East. As big and as bold as our plans are for Pride in the City, there is still a grass-roots element that we’re keen to preserve. Our events programme this year works to amplify queer voices and talent in the region, giving all of our performers and artists a platform where they can comfortably showcase their artistry.” To launch their new or elevated concepts, each artist will exhibit at a Newcastle venue in the lead-up to pride weekend, starting from this Saturday, 6th July. What's coming up?   GIRLS THEYS AND SLAYS POP UP CHOIR Date: Saturday 6th July - 12:00 Location: Discovery Museum, Blanford Square  Tickets: Free Event Maya Torres, Rhian Jade, Rosie Bowden and the Girls, Theys and Slays Choir are thrilled to be sharing their first original song thanks to the ‘Get Ready Grant​’ they received as part of this year’s commissions. The aim is to create a larger sense of identity as a group and promote growth by creating a community that encourages local people to get involved.     QUEER BODIES ARE HOLY Date: Saturday 6th July - Thursday 11th - Sat 6th 19:00-21:00 - Sun 7th 10:00-15:00 - Mon 8th - Thur 11th 13:00 -18:00 Location: Grainger Market, 11 Clayton Street Tickets: Free Exhibition An exhibition that features over 20 new works by artist and life model Emory Southwick (they/them), including digital art, gouache and acrylic paintings, and oil pastel drawings. These works capture the diversity of the queer population of the North East and celebrate how beautiful these bodies are in bright and colourful art. QUEER LIFE DRAWING Date: Sunday 7th July - 16:00 Location: Grainger Market, 11 Clayton Street Tickets : Free Event - Registration Required A life drawing class working exclusively with models on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, led by artist Emory Southwick, this event is open to everybody but space is limited and registration is required. MISS SANDY BEACH Date: Monday 8th July - 18:30 Location: Prohibition Cabaret Bar 25-27 Pink Lane Tickets: Free Showcase – Registration Required When Nicola was ten she was crowned Miss Sandy Beach. It was the best moment of her life and now she’s going to recreate it and you’re all invited! A new concept from the talented Alison Carr, creating a space to work collaboratively with other local artists to explore a new idea. MURAL OF QUEER EXCELLENCE Date: from Wednesday 10th July Location: Cross Street, Charlotte Square Tickets: Free Public Exhibition A collection of queer icons by IDa4 made from hand-cut stencils and spray paint. Celebrating the diversity and the contribution of the queer community. IPHATHI KUBANTU Date: Friday 12 th July 19:30pm (club night from 21:00pm) Location: The Lubber Fiend, 81 Blanford Street Tickets: Get tickets - £0-£7.50 Iphathi (party) Kubantu (to the people) brings musical flavours from South Africa from Amapiano, Gqom, Tech-House & more. Brought to life by multi-talented dancer and DJ Azula Bandit, who aims to encourage and inspire through cultural representation and self-expression. The event opens with a showcase from Azula and friends with tickets pay as you feel. And then later into the evening, Iphathi Kubantu will transform The Lubber Fiend into a new club night fusing culture and experiences together with musical flavours from South Africa from Amapiano, Gqom, Tech-House and more Sorry, Are You Lost? Date: Wednesday 17th July 17:00 (relaxed performance) 19:00 Location: Dance City, Temple Street Tickets: Free Showcase – Registration Required A dance theatre work that will take you on a personal rollercoaster ride exploring the ups and downs of motherhood, queer identity, loss and visibility from the incredibly talent mind of Jenny Chrisp. A sharing of Sorry, Are You Lost? in its early stages of development followed by a Q&A with audience members. These events feature as part of a wider programme of exciting satellite events, designed to celebrate the wonderfully vibrant queer community, the valuable impact they have on society and the richness of their talents. Events are running across July from 5th -21st, in the lead up to Pride in the City. The main event, which will take place over the weekend of 19th -21 21st July, has moved from the Town Moor to various locations across Newcastle. The Pride Arena, at Central Park in Times Square, will host Drag icons, 90s favourites, top DJs, leading tribute acts and local stars for this year’s new-look Northern Pride. Across the city, the Curious Arts Stage will take over Northern Stage, and the Family and Youth activities will consume the newly renovated Assembly Rooms, and the vibrant market stalls will take over the streets surrounding Greys Monument and Old Eldon Square, truly encompassing a city-wide take over.

Businesses came together for the Partners Breakfast hosted at Blackfriars, as a thank you and to celebrate their involvement and support for Pride in the City, presented in partnership with Newcastle NE1. As well as an opportunity to thank supporters, the breakfast saw the launch of some great new additions to this year’s festival. Pride in the City will kick off with satellite events from 5th July, leading up to the main festival, which will take place over the weekend of 19th-21st July, with multiple celebrations and events, including the main stage at Central Park, with impressive live performances. Nexus, which runs the Tyne and Wear Metro, return as travel and accessibility partner, and together with Northern Pride announce a limited edition ‘Pride Pop Pays As You Go Card’ and free ‘Pride Shuttle Bus’, to support with travel around the city during pride weekend and to ensure that the celebrations remain accessible for those with mobility needs, as well as young and tired legs.   The Pride Pop Card was designed by local multidisciplinary creative designer and visual communicator, Em T Sharp, who was inspired by LGBTQIA+ icons.     Sarah McCourt, Head of Communications, Marketing and Customer Information at Nexus said: “We are extremely proud to be a partner for Northern Pride and to support what promises to be an incredible city take over for the festival this year. Inclusivity is the cornerstone of our brand, and we want everyone to feel welcome, safe, and free from discrimination whenever they choose to travel with us. We’re delighted to be launching a ‘Pride Pop Card’ and free ‘Pride Shuttle Bus’ to ensure people can get to the city, and around the event with ease.” Attending the breakfast event were representatives from companies which have had supported Northern Pride for a number of years, including partners Newcastle NE1, Curious Arts, Newcastle International Airport, Newcastle City Council, NewcastleGateshead Initiative and BT Group, Morgan Sindall to name just a few.   Train operator Lumo were also in attendance to help launch a new feature for 2024. The Lumo Platform, a performance stage which will be in place at Greys Monument and will feature live entertainment during Saturday’s main day.    Also announced were the two free film screenings that will be on NE1’s Screen on the Green. ‘Strange Worlds’ up first, which is the first Disney movie featuring an out-gay character named Ethan Clade, played by gay comedian Jaboukie Young-White. Later in the day, filmgoers can relax in the famous blue deck chairs at Old Eldon Square to watch teen favourite, ‘Love, Simon’.   Alongside the returning sponsors, the event also welcomed a number of supporters who’ve recently taken the opportunity to become Pride Patrons, including Eldon Square, Sky, Sage, IKEA, Ward Hadaway, Generator NE, Geordie Witch and The Theatre Royal. The Pride Patron campaign is an accessible, all year-round opportunity for business and people to help raise the vital funds needed for Northern Pride to deliver free to access content that fills the festival every year and to support paid work and commissioning opportunities for LGBTQIA+ artists, performers and creatives. Ste Dunn, Director of Northern Pride, expressed his appreciation for the continued support that has enabled plans for this year’s Pride in the City.     Ste said: “We couldn’t do any of this without the wonderful partners we have here in the North East and further afield, who not only help us to put on a fantastic event for our vibrant and beautiful queer community, but for their insight, time and guidance into what will make an exciting, accessible and safe event in the city.”

We've announced that registrations are now open for its annual March, which will take place on Saturday 20th July 2024, to celebrate Pride in the City, presented in partnership with Newcastle NE1. The March will begin at 12:00PM, starting from the Civic centre, those taking part will pass through the iconic Northumberland Street and historic Greys Monument, which is also playing host to this year’s Market Village. The March will continue through the city before ending back at the civic centre to continue the celebrations across the city centre for the rest of the weekend. Despite the downpour, last year’s march saw 15,000 people take to the streets of Newcastle in good spirits, led by young people and educators to mark 20 years since the repeal of Section 28, highlighting the continued challenges facing the LGBTQIA+ community. In line with the theme unapologetically visible, this year’s March will again see thousands of community members, allies, local people and businesses come together to fill the streets of Newcastle with a colourful message of hope. We're keen to showcase how ‘unapologetically visible’ means different things to each individual and is based on their personal and lived experiences. The march offers the opportunity for people to come together to celebrate all of the ways in which people can be unapologetically visible, with one clear and collective goal in mind, to be seen and to be heard. The march is kindly sponsored by The BT Group, as it continues its work to become the world's most trusted connector of people, devices and machines, accelerated through responsible, inclusive and sustainable technology. Mark Amario, BT Group Pride Network Lead Chair shared their commitment to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, and Northern Pride. “We’re excited to be joining Northern Pride for a second year supporting their vision for the city and the community. This year’s theme is one that BT Group advocates for all year with our colleagues and our customers encouraged to celebrate their identity.” Ste Dunn, Director of Northern Pride, said: “We’re celebrating individuality in all forms with this year’s theme, unapologetically visible, encouraging past, present and future generations of the LGBTQIA+ community to be their most authentic selves in whatever way that manifests itself to best reflect their journey. We’re proudly honouring the obstacles overcome, the milestones reached, and everything in between.” The weekend will give attendees the opportunity to show their solidarity and support, as well as joining in the celebrations with a packed programme of events and entertainment. The Northern Pride March remains the focal point for the event and continues to be free for all to take part. For groups of 10 or more, organisers encourage online registration to help with the safe planning and delivery of the event, with registration open now at www.northern-pride.com/march This year’s Pride in the City festival will take place across the city centre, with multiple celebrations and events, including a main stage at Central Park, with impressive live performances, highlighting the vibrant and beautiful queer community, the valuable impact they have on society and the richness of their talents.

Pride in the City presented in partnership with Newcastle NE1 announces a host of exciting satellite events to lead into its annual LGBTQIA+ celebration in July. The main event which will take place over the weekend of 19-21 July, has moved from the Town Moor to various locations across Newcastle. The Pride Arena, at Central Park, Times Square will host Drag icons, 90s favourites, top DJs, leading tribute acts and local stars for this year’s new look Northern Pride. Across the city, the Curious Arts Stage will take over Northern Stage, the Family and Youth activities will consume the newly renovated Assembly Rooms and the vibrant market stalls will take over the streets surrounding Greys Monument and Old Eldon Square, truly encompassing a city-wide take over. But for those looking to join the celebrations a little earlier, a whole host of community events are set to kick off from the 5th of July, with a celebration concert at Newcastle Cathedral first on the programme. What's coming up? Friday 5th July, 18:00 – Celebration Concert with Northern Proud Voices Location: Newcastle Cathedral Get in the spirit for Northern Pride with a joyous evening of pop/rock tunes performed by the North East’s largest and longest-running LGBTQIA+ choir. Tickets: Give As You Feel (£8 suggested) Wednesday 10th July, 19:30 – Priscilla Interactive Singalong Screening Location: Tyneside Cinema Join Northern Pride and a cast of creatives as we celebrate 30 years of the cult classic, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, with a night to remember featuring live performances, hosted by PlastiQ Tickets: £12.75 Friday 12th July, 19:30 – Jaws (but Gay) Cabaret Location: Alphabetti Theatre Calling all Beach Boys, Sea Guurls and fisherthems! Mama Rhi and Mack are back for a Big Queer Under the Seashow. Tickets: £10 Monday 15th July, 19:30 – Chamber of Laughs Location: Newcastle Civic Centre Championing queer comedy, criticising queer politics. Join some of the best North East’s LGBTQIA+ comedians as they take over the civic chambers, to put queer voices at the centre of political debate in a humorous post General Election satire. Tickets: £10 Thursday 18th July, 17:30 – Pride in Leadership Meets Out of Office Location: Eversheds Sutherland Pride in Leadership is a CIC that works to elevate, connect and support LGBTQIA+ leaders and make them more visible. Having successfully built a community of LGBTQIA+ leaders in Manchester and London, we are now coming to Newcastle. Featuring a talk with Nick Forbes, former leader of Newcastle City Council. Tickets: Free Stephen Patterson, Chief Executive at Newcastle NE1, said: “We are extremely excited to see this year’s line-up for Pride in the City, not only for the main celebrations weekend in July, but for the events leading up to it. With around 80,000 people expected to fill the city during Pride weekend itself, the addition of this year’s satellite events will only add to the experience, bringing all the festival favourites and more right into the heart of the city.” Director of Northern Pride, Ste Dunn added: “This year’s theme of ‘Unapologetically Visible’ will encompass everything from theatre and street art to comedy and music and we can’t wait to kick off the festival with our first event. Our mission is clear and with the satellite events we want to create as many different experiences and opportunities as possible to celebrate and highlight the vibrant and beautiful queer community, the valuable impact they have on society and the richness of their talents.” With the recent announcement of the Pride in the City commissions, more events are due to be added to include art exhibitions, music and dance performances and projects to uncover queer histories, stories and celebrations of our intersectionality.

Following a commission's call out in partnership with Creative Central NCL and Curious Arts, Northern Pride has announced Azula Bandit and Chris Fleming (Ida4) as the two artists selected to receive full creative commissions for this year’s Pride in the City. The call-out challenged artists to respond to the theme Unapologetically Visible, highlighting what this means to them and how it is expressed and explored through their creativity. The two selected artists will receive £2500 worth of funding to develop and elevate their artistry, which will be showcased during this year’s Pride in the City festival, presented in partnership with NE1. Multi-talented dancer and DJ Azula Bandit aims to encourage and inspire through cultural representation and self-expression, honouring their heritage through art and providing a different perspective to individuals from a similar background, encouraging people to take ownership in telling their own stories. Stencil artist Chris Fleming, artist name IDa4, produces bodies of work that remind people that the LGBTQIA+ community has always been, is now and will always be a key part of the wider community, contributing to all sectors of life. A further four local artists have also been awarded a ‘Get Ready Grant’, spanning dance, writing, physical art, and music. Jenny Chrisp, Emory Southwick, Alison Carr, and The Girls, Theys and Slays Choir led by Maya Torres and Rosie Bowden will receive £750 of funding to enhance their art and explore new ideas. Vix Leaney, Creative Central NCL Project Manager added: “We’re really proud to be supporting Northern Pride this year to give these artists the chance to showcase their work and celebrate Pride. In total, Creative Central NCL have been able to fund six opportunities for LGBTQIA+ artists and creatives to not just create new work, but test ideas, get some mentoring, develop their career and work with the experienced producers at Curious Arts. I'm looking forward to seeing everything come together at this year’s Pride in the City festival in July.” When asked about what the theme, Unapologetically Visible, meant to them, all artists agreed that this year it's all about being entirely yourself, in whatever way that manifests itself for you, standing with sheer pride and without any shame or dilution. Jenny Chrisp will explore themes of motherhood and the loss of queer identity through dance, in a way that is true, personal and raw, inspiring those who feel their sexuality may be forgotten, hidden or lost to become unapologetically visible. Emory Southwick will produce artwork that celebrates queer bodies, highlighting the beautifully diverse community and showcasing, in particular, how trans bodies are often overlooked in the media. Alison Carr hopes to develop the beginnings of a character, story and a way of telling it. Creating a space to work collaboratively with other local artists to explore a new idea. The Girls, Theys and Slays Choir led by Maya Torres and Rosie Bowden also hope to explore a new strand of work by writing an original song. Creating a larger sense of identity as a group and promoting growth by creating a community that encourages local people to get involved. The events to celebrate the commissioned art and performances will be announced soon and will feature as part of a wider programme of satellite events celebrating Pride in the City 2024, which will kick off from 5 July and end in the Festival weekend, 19-21 July.

The North East is already renowned for its warm welcome. Now, thanks to fully-funded LGBTQIA+ awareness training provided by the NewcastleGateshead Initiative, it's easier than ever to foster understanding and inclusivity, ensuring you're LGBTQIA+ visitor-ready. Delivered by Northern Pride in partnership with Curious Arts, this training was developed to help tourism and hospitality businesses provide a more inclusive welcome to LGBTQIA+ people. The training will equip businesses and employees with the tools and knowledge to create safe, inclusive and welcoming spaces for LGBTQIA+ people. It will raise awareness and increase confidence around inclusive language, how to engage with LGBTQIA+ communities and increase understanding of the intersectionality of the LGBTQIA+ community with some judgment-free question-and-answer time. The training course has been designed with a range of professionals and community members from a wide representation across the LGBTQIA+ community including people of faith, people with disabilities, and gender non-conforming people.

In partnership with Creative Central NCL and Curious Arts we’re offering two artist commissions and four Research and Development grants for Pride in the City 2024 Pride in the City, under the theme Unapologetically Visible, takes over Newcastle City centre in a new format this year, celebrating the vibrant and beautiful queer community, the valuable impact they have on society and the richness of their talents, from makers and creators to performers and activists. In partnership with Creative Central NCL and Curious Arts we’re offering two artist commissions and four R&D grants and we're looking for applications from creatives and artists who want to showcase their work or ideas during Pride in the City. All ideas submitted must consider and respond to the theme Unapologetically Visible, what this means to you and how you express and explore it is subjective, and creative interpretations and responses are welcomed. Activities start on 8 July and culminate in the Pride Festival weekend of 19 – 21 July, and we’re inviting artists and creatives to apply for a total of six opportunities to create and showcase work during this time. “In the journey of becoming unapologetic, LGBTQIA+ people aren’t becoming someone different, but they no longer feel the need to hide or be who other people want them to be, and it’s about no longer holding back from fully expressing ourselves due to the fear of being judged.” - Northern Pride 2024 Pride in the City - Get Ready Grants Four available £750 each Apply by 11:59pm Sunday 12 May Key info: four Get Ready grants of £750 each for you to create new work or develop, elevate and enhance existing ideas, all art forms welcome, must include a public-facing output, sharing, performance opportunity, or event that can be showcased during Pride in the City in a venue within the Creative Central NCL footprint, must meet the non-negotiable criteria listed in the guidelines, applications must be submitted by 11:59pm on Sunday 12 May, successful applicants must be available to showcase work between 8 and 21 July 2024. Pride in the City - Commissions Two available £2,500 each Apply by 11:59pm Sunday 12 May Key info: two commission opportunities of £2,500 each for you to create new work or develop, elevate and enhance existing ideas, all art forms welcome, must include a public-facing output, sharing, performance opportunity, or event that can be showcased during Pride in the City in a venue within the Creative Central NCL footprint, must meet the non-negotiable criteria listed in the guidelines, applications must be submitted by 11:59pm on Sunday 12 May, successful applicants must be available to showcase work between 8 and 21 July 2024.

Trainers needed to help create inclusive, welcoming spaces for our LGBTQIA+ community Curious Arts and Northern Pride are seeking to extend our team of trainers to support and deliver our “Proud Allies” LGBTQIA+ Awareness Training. Our Proud Allies training has been delivered to arts, culture & heritage organisations, charities, social care and educational settings, local authorities and more recently to larger scale commercial businesses and corporate industries including Sky, TWITCH, Northern Gas, Nexus, Cleveland Police and Northumbria Police. The training has been warmly received and due to popular demand we are increasing output and require more trainers to join our experienced and knowledgeable training team. ​ Since 2019 we have delivered over 150 training sessions to over 100 organisations. With over 2000 individuals having participated in the training, raising their awareness, increasing confidence around the use of inclusive language and providing a greater understanding of the intersectionality of the LGBTQIA+ community. ​ In 2023 we worked closely with Newcastle Gateshead Initiative (NGI) to deliver numerous Proud Allies training sessions to staff from the hospitality industry and tourism sector to ensure that the LGBTQIA+ community always receive a positive welcome when visiting the North East region.

Drag icons, a 90s favourite, top DJs and leading tribute acts are all among the line-up unveiled today for this year’s new look Northern Pride. Pride in the City presented in partnership with NE1, will see the annual celebration move from the Town Moor to various locations across Newcastle over the weekend of 19-21 July. And at its core will be the Northern Pride Arena at Central Park, Times Square, where an exciting and eclectic mix of performers will take to the stage across the weekend. 🎵 NORTHERN PRIDE ARENA 📅 Friday 19th to Sunday 21st July ⏰ Times Vary 📍Central Park, Times Square 🎟️ www.northern-pride.com/tickets ℹ️www.northernpridearena.co.uk On Friday 19 July Pride will launch with Proud Karaoke, brought by the team behind the popular Kroud Karaoke. The evening will include a DJ performance by Hits Radio’s James Barr. James is a regular tv presenter and stand up comedian as well as presenting the award-winning podcast, A Gay and a Non-Gay. The evening will be hosted by acclaimed drag queen, Ophelia B, will tickets available from £7.50p each. On Saturday singer Whigfield – best known for her 90s hit Saturday Night – will take to the main stage, alongside Kelly Llorena and Little Mix tribute act, Little Fix. The arena will welcome back its popular stage takeovers, with Newcastle Mela returning for a third year. Local talent showcase event - The Future is Queer-will head up one of the takeovers, along with Queerdo. The queer ran organisation is committed to making everyone feel welcome, regardless of their identity and will feature performances from Elektra Fence from Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK. Sunday features an award-winning line up, with a live DJ set from acclaimed performer, Fat Tony, Ginger Johnson who won season five of Ru Paul’s Drag Rade UK and 2023 The Voice winners, Jen and Liv. And “swifties” will not want to miss Totally Taylor – a tribute to Taylor Swift. Day tickets for the Saturday and Sunday event start at £15, with more names to be announced in the near future. This year’s Pride In the City will see all the regular and much loved aspects of the event return, but spread at various locations around Newcastle. Under the theme “unapologetically visible” the aim now is to bring around 80,000 people to Newcastle during the Pride weekend, The popular the Curious Arts Stage will this year move to Northern Stage, where a full programme of queer art and culture will be performed. The Family and Youth Zone will be housed in the recently refurbished Assembly Rooms at Westgate Road where there will be a host of activities including arts and crafts sessions aimed at LGBTQIA+ families and young people, as well as live performances. The Health and Wellbeing Zone will be based at Newcastle City Centre, where a range of organisations will offer advice and support, along with a mobile sexual health clinic with STI and HIV testing. Continuing its commitment to giving LGBTQIA+ people more access to sport, Northern Pride’s Sport and Active Life Zone will take place at Northumbria University’s Sport, where a number of taster sessions and general information about sporting activities will be available. The Rainbow Village, which traditionally host a number of market stalls sharing information and selling a range of unique products, will also return, staged around Grey’s Monument, Old Eldon Square and Blackett Street.

We're incredibly excited to share that our market stall application is now OPEN! Hopefully you've heard the incredibly exciting news that we are moving into the heart of the city, and taking over many venues, spaces and places! This year our Market Village will consume space around Grey's Monument, and Old Eldon Square, providing our exhibitors a fantastic opotunity to showcase their products and services to not only the expected Pride attendees, but everyone coming to the city for the weekend. That’s an estimated additional 36,000 people! 🌈 MARKET VILLAGE 📅 Saturday 20th July ⏰ 12 noon till 5pm 📍 Grey's Monument and Old Eldon Square ℹ️ www.northern-pride.com/marketvillage Under the theme “unapologetically visible” we have a fantastic opotunity to put our community at the centre of the city. Providing our makers and creators a fantastic experience trading surrounded by some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, and for all our service providers, the ability to showcase their offerings to not just the LGBTQIA+ community, but those traveling into the city that day. Through the application process, not only will you have the chance to join us at the Market Village in the city, but you can join one of our community zones, from Family and Youth, Health and Wellbeing, Sport and Active Life, or even at the Curious Arts stage! Due to this change in location, demand will be high and pitch allocations will be given on a first come first served basis. Market village deadline is 1 June 2024, so get your application in quick!

One of the largest events on the North East calendar will return this year, but will be heading in a brand new direction. Traditionally Northern Pride has been held on the outskirts of the city, having taken place at both Exhibition Park and the Town Moor in previous years. But today we've unveiled ambitious plans for 2024, which will make the event even more inclusive than ever before. Pride in the City was announced at a breakfast launch this morning, moving the annual festival into a number of locations across Newcastle city centre over the weekend of 19-21 July. Under the theme “unapologetically visible” the aim now is to bring around 80,000 people to Newcastle during the Pride weekend, by bringing all the festival favourites right into the heart of the city. Director of Northern Pride, Ste Dunn, outlined the plans to an audience of supporters and the business community at today’s launch event held at Northern Stage. “Our mission is clear. We’re using our festival to highlight the vibrant and beautiful queer community, the valuable impact they have on society and the richness of their talents, from makers and creators, to performers and activists,” he said. “This will also be a fantastic opportunity so spread the Pride message across the city which in turn will also benefit both the event and the local economy.” The plans will see Central Park at Times Square become the Northern Pride Arena, with the first wave of artists will be announced in the coming weeks. On Saturday, the Curious Arts Stage will this year move to Northern Stage, where a full programme of queer art and culture will be performed. The Family and Youth Zone will be housed in the recently refurbished Assembly Rooms at Westgate Road where there will be a host of activities including arts and crafts sessions aimed at LGBTQIA+ families and young people, as well as live performances. The Health and Wellbeing Zone will be based at Newcastle City Centre, where a range of organisations will offer advice and support, along with a mobile sexual health clinic with STI and HIV testing. Continuing its commitment to giving LGBTQIA+ people more access to sport, Northern Pride’s Sport and Active Life Zone will take place at Northumbria University’s Sport, where a number of taster sessions and general information about sporting activities will be available. The Rainbow Village, which traditionally host a number of market stalls sharing information and selling a range of unique products, will also return, staged around Grey’s Monument, Old Eldon Square and Blackett Street. “This is a very different look to Northern Pride but our core messages remain the same,” said Ste. “We have included everything that people expect at Pride – including our march which will begin and end at Newcastle Civic Centre. “We truly believe that this will move Northern Pride to the next level and that we are creating something very special.” Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Nick Kemp, has supported the ambitious plans. “Pride is always a very important event and one which Newcastle City Council is always very proud to support,” he said. “Bringing it right into the heart of Newcastle will mean more people than ever before can get involved and it will truly become a citywide celebration.” Anyone wanting to be among the first to hear updated news is encouraged to register at www.northern-pride.com/prideinthecity All existing ticket holders will receive an email explaining how to validate their ticket for the Northern Pride Arena. We can't wait to see you there. Meet the Designer behind Pride in the City Communicating activism through her art, Meg Mcwilliam is a freelance artist and graphic designer based in Newcastle Upon Tyne. Known for her witty and camp style Meg Mcwilliam produces art pieces which challenge the Tories, advocate for working-class artists, celebrate queer identity and stick two fingers up to the patriarchy.