LGBTQ+ charity Manchester Pride has further developed its free offering for families and young people for Manchester Pride Festival. Youth Pride MCR and Family Pride are back this year with programmes designed for families with young children and 14+ young people.
Manchester Pride launched Youth Pride MCR in 2019 and it was the first event of its kind in the UK. In 2021, it will once again provide a safe, supportive, fun and inclusive space for young LGBTQ+ people to express themselves, connect with others and find community.
Youth Pride MCR will take place on Sunday 29 August from 12.30pm till 7.30 pm at The Pink Room and Basement, YES Manchester. The totally free event will be held in a fully accessible space just for 14+ young people (no adults will be allowed).
The Pink Room, which will be very much a party space, will feature a glitter station, accessory rhinestoning and the Youth Pride MCR Wardrobe of Wonders. The day’s programme will include getting to know each other icebreakers with the Youth Pride youth workers followed by a ‘Being your authentic self’ talking circle, led by Jamie Windust (they/them pronouns).
There will also be a variety show planned and performed by the Youth Pride MCR workshop group who have been meeting monthly in online and in-person workshops since the first lockdown in 2020.
At a time of maximum social isolation, when LGBTQ+ people have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, the group of 14 to 18 year olds found a safe space to express themselves and explore their identity. They have formed a tight group of young people interested in arts, music, and more that have met over Zoom once a month throughout the pandemic.
Talking about the Youth Pride MCR group, Anon (she/her/they), said; «I needed a safe space during the pandemic to express myself. I was also excited by the idea of talking to people around my age and being able to relate and be supported. I massively gained confidence and the ability to speak about topics that I used to hold back and not talk about. I also feel like no matter the week I’m having, Youth Pride is a place where I can forget all and have a good time».
«I really enjoy how we are all treated equally, even though we all come from different backgrounds and areas, but at Youth Pride we all come together as one».
This year’s creative opportunity for our regular attendees of the workshops was to curate a performance on the youth pride MCR main stage. The group decided on a variety performance which will be hosted by the excellent compere: Misty! And will include a comedy BSL drag performance from Gaya Gender, a comedy skit from Comedy Qweens, acoustic set with original song and covers from Space Daisy and The Sunbeams and Dancing Queen Limbo – a big dance off to Dancing Queen by Abba.
There will also be a performance and meet and greet from UK Drag race star – Ginny Lemon, a vogue tutorial with Darren Pritchard, a Youth Pride MCR Catwalk party with House of Ghetto and the Youth Pride MCR Wardrobe of Wonders – where attendees will be let loose on a rail of accessories and clothing such as fans, boas, glasses, hats and costumes provided by the Royal Exchange Theatre Costume Department.
The Basement wellbeing space will host arts and crafts, a Tree of Life exercise, plus guests will be invited to create a road map of their LGBTQ+ journey and create ‘What does mental health mean to you’ artwork.
They will get involved in activism via placard making with LGBTQ+ Trailblazers and badge making with AKT. There will also be a film screening and sensory area.
Manchester Pride wants to ensure that families can take advantage of the festivities at Manchester Pride Festival and 2021 will see the return of the Family Pride MCR, a programme of activities centred around fun, wellness and learning.
Taking place at the Storehouse in Whitworth Locke from Midday till 5pm on Saturday 28 August. The event which will have the theme, Garden of Freedom, will be free to attend in a fully accessible space. It will feature live performances, a disco and drag queen story time.
Family Pride
12:50 – 2:20 | Rock n’ roll disco with Born to be Wild Child
2:30 – 3:00 | Drag Queen story time with The Nightbus
3:15 – 4:45 | Non-stop Rainbow Party
Families can enjoy a rock n’ roll disco, with bubbles, a parachute dance and a balloon drop from Born to be Wild Child.
Plus family favourite Drag Queen Story Time with The Nightbus will read two stories from ‘Howie Blend Family and Friends Playdate Adventures’ by local author, Jennie Guay. The book tells stories focussed on LGBTQ+ families and blended families and Jennie will also be at the event selling copies of the book.
The day will end with the ‘Non-stop Rainbow Party’ complete with live comedy, a disco, balloon modelling and prizes!
The running order for Youth Pride is as follows:
12:30 – 1:00 | DJ set
1:00 – 1:15 | Welcome to Youth Pride MCR
1:15 – 1:50 | Getting to know each other with Youth Workers
1:50 – 2:20 | Pride is a protest – Placard making
2:20 – 2:35 | DJ set
2:35 – 3:05 | How To Be Authentically You – The Change Circle with Jamie Windust
3:05 – 3:20 | DJ set
3:20 – 3:50 | Youth Pride MCR Cabaret Extravaganza
3:50 – 4:20 | DJ set
4:20 – 4:35 | Warm up with Pure Gym
4:35 – 4:50 | DJ set
4:50 – 5:35 | Vogue tutorial with Darren Pritchard
5:35 – 5:45 | House of Ghetto DJ set
5:45 – 6:30 | Youth Pride MCR Catwalk party with House of Ghetto
6:30 – 7:00 | Ginny Lemon – fancy a slice?
For more information visit manchesterpride.com.
