Week in week out we are bombarded with information on how best to take care of our health. A glass of red wine may be good for us, but two glasses may increase the likelihood of cancer. The jury’s still out on apple juice. You should aim to get seven hours of sleep a night. Or is it nine? But for gay and bisexual men there are far deeper health concerns – and I don’t just mean avoiding carbs after 7pm. Or is it 5pm?

Whilst we know quite a lot about gay men’s sexual health, far less is known about their wider health needs. That’s why Stonewall is digging deeper and conducting the largest ever survey of gay men’s health.

The survey looks at wider health issues from gay men’s attitudes to diet, general fitness and exercise, smoking, alcohol and drug use to mental health, experiences of domestic violence and experiences of NHS services and discrimination.

The work follows research conducted in 2008, when researchers for Stonewall conducted a similar survey of lesbians’ health needs. Before this survey, it was widely assumed that lesbians had no specific health needs. However, this ground breaking survey uncovered a shocking range of previously unidentified issues.

By repeating the scale of this survey with gay and bisexual men, we can determine if there are similar gaps in knowledge around their specific health needs. The findings of this research will equip healthcare providers, policymakers, campaigners and gay and bisexual men themselves to ensure their health needs are being equally taken care of. After all, gay and bisexual men have the right to expect public services that are every bit as good as those offered to their straight counterparts.

It may not be the most exciting, outrageous or gratifying 15 minutes that you spend this Pride season, but it will certainly be one of the most valuable. The results will also help Stonewall and others to campaign hard for the services gay and bisexual men need.

Make sure you fill out the survey here: www.stonewall.org.uk/healthsurvey

Find out more about Stonewall’s work at www.stonewall.org.uk

Manchester-based couple Jeffrey Levine and Roman Hunter-Fox became the first same-sex Jewish couple to have their partnership officially termed a marriage by their Liberal Judaism faith. We caught up with the happy couple recently to see how things went and to seek words of advice for couples in a similar situation.

Firstly, congratulations on your marriage and on being part of an important milestone for the LGBT community. How does it feel to be the first same-sex couple to have your ceremony recognised as a marriage within the UK?

We were very surprised to be honest and very honoured that it happened here in Manchester! We were very lucky that our Rabbi and the Manchester Liberal Jewish Community was so supportive and helped us every step of the way. We hope we can inspire others to follow their dreams.

How would you describe the big day for yourselves?

Once we were over the nerves we were OK. We had 40 guests at The Lowry Hotel in attendance. The main religious part of the ceremony was very moving for all there. It was basically the same as a traditional Jewish wedding with some adjustments in wording to reflect being a same-sex couple. This is what we had always dreamed of as Civil Partnership was not sufficient for us. The wine started flowing and we all had a magical day, lots of singing and dancing then hit the Village.

Do you feel that this has opened the doors to same-sex couples throughout the UK, especially those of other religious faiths?

We really hope so. If religion is important to you why should you not be allowed to be recognised in this way? Obviously it’s down to your own specific faith leader to take a stand, but we think that our kind of ceremony will become much more common in the very near future as it has now been embraced by Liberal Judaism in the UK.

What do you feel needs to be done in order to move the marriage system towards full equality?

Politicians of all parties need to work together quickly to realise that society has moved on and most people do not have a problem with lesbian, gay or bisexual people celebrating Civil Partnership and may, therefore, not have an issue with them having a ceremony recognised as marriage. This can only benefit society as a whole. Some religious leaders need to stop excluding LGBT people from their own communities and realise we all have a part to play in society. Marriage is the ultimate commitment before God and, in my opinion, it is simply wrong that people can be excluded according to their sexuality.

What kind of advice can you give to other couples who, like you, would like to be married in a religious ceremony?

They need to belong to a supportive religious community that has equality as a fundamental core value. If you are determined like we were you will find the right path.

We’ve heard that you were in attendance at the first Manchester Pride 21 years ago, what do you remember of that time?

It was so long ago! We remember book stalls, lots of fun... the agenda was more focused on helping to provide Monsall hospital with the right equipment to deal with the HIV crisis at the time. There was a real sense of coming together as a community and a city. It was great to be part of something so special!

Can we expect to see you at Pride this year, 21 years on and married?

YES you can! We have been to every single Pride event and plan to enjoy this one. We even have friends coming over from Israel to come and join in all the fun. If you see us please come and say hello. If you would like any advice we would be more than delighted to help. This year’s special event remains important to the LGBT community and the wider city itself. Happy 21st Birthday Manchester Pride... We love you!

Recently a straight man was taken to court via an eye-witness report for an ‘assault’ on a gay man outside of a gay bar in Derry, Ireland.

The heterosexual man had been inside of the gay bar and come outside for a cigarette, when unknowingly the gay man followed him out and went on to pinch him from behind... This was not received well, and he was greeted back with a punch to the face. Despite this, it was reported that there was no blood or bruising.

Though in court it was argued that the young man was “establishing his straight credentials”, his lawyer claimed he had been a victim of sexual assault and that the gay male “was ready to plant his lips [on me]”. The man was acquitted and let go, but the entire incident has definitely left a cause for this debate.

Though there have been a lot of horrific anti-gay crimes claiming the headlines in recent months, this does not appear to be a homophobic assault. The heterosexual man was in the gay bar and was not reported as being any sort of trouble-maker and was caught completely unaware. Despite this it is debatable as to whether the pinching of the bum was harmless fun, a misunderstanding of sexuality/flirtation or a gay man feeling too comfortable in ‘his’ territory.

Should straight men take a more relaxed approach to things within a gay bar? If you are comfortable in your own skin within an LGBT environment should this be taken on the chin and taken as a compliment?

Many would argue that it is completely acceptable for a straight woman to slap a male who inappropriately touches her in a heterosexual (or homosexual, for that matter) bar if it is unwanted. The same applies to LGBT individuals – many would say that an assault is an assault.

There is no single agreed answer on this. The fact that the gay man himself had not reported the incident may also be an eye opener.

What do you think? Where should we stand on these sorts of issues? Is a pinch of the bum inacceptable no matter what your sexuality? Please tweet your thoughts to @ManchesterPride, or see our Facebook Group.

A poem by Roshan Eden

A personal choice for all of us

When the time is right how do you know

How will you feel what do you say

Is there a book I haven’t found it yet

Where do you go for guidance and support

Maybe you ask your gay friends if you have any

Your situation may be similar to theirs

The uncertainty is normal you may question your feelings

Who you are what you have become, fear may set in

Normally you come out to your family, friends and work

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Things were very different for me as I wasn’t coming out to my family

I move in a new circle now and my friends know who I am

On a work front that is a different matter

I don’t want to hide or be seen to be hiding

So getting the right advice was very important

I talked to my friends about how to deal with my situation

It was time for some research and I found The Lesbian & Gay Foundation

I used there contact form online and got a reply the following day

We exchanged a few emails so they could get the full picture

I received unbiased advice which addressed the possible consequences of my actions

More thinking was required as my choice would impact on others too

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The LGF are based on Richmond Street they offer many services providing guidance for all You don’t have to feel alone support is available

Here is a safe place for you to go for impartial advice, to feel safe and welcome

Support groups like Stepping Stones meet up once a month for friendly discussions

With an outreach clinic and counselling service, and a valuable Helpline for you to call

There comprehensive website publishes real life stories

They address real issues like tackling Homophobia in the community and HIV

Introducing new developments like the newly opened Gay Fertility Centre

They explore the need to diversify and gain equality for everyone

This is one of the charity’s that receives funds from Manchester Pride

Well done to the LGF you are doing an excellent job

You’ve been going now for ten years and offer a valuable resource to the LGBT community

With your vast experience you are making a difference to our lives

Know your HIV Status

There is a strong commitment throughout Manchester to raise awareness of HIV.

Manchester Pride has long been a supporter of free condoms and lube for men who have sex with men and that is why every year it helps, through Pride ticket sales, to support The Lesbian and Gay Foundation’s free Condom and Lube Scheme. The long-running scheme provides around 600,000 free packs of condoms and lube which are distributed across hundreds of locations. However access to free condoms and lube is just part of the battle in fighting HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

Over the summer, throughout the Pride season and leading up to World Aids Day in December promoting HIV testing will be one of the main focuses for Manchester’s World Aids Day Partnership (Manchester City Council, Manchester Primary Care Trust - NHS, Black Health Agency, George House Trust, and The Lesbian and Gay Foundation) to encourage more awareness around HIV and offer support for those affected by the virus.

HIV is on the increase in Manchester but with improved testing and better treatments the city is drawing attention to what more can be done to highlight the virus and also support those affected by it.

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation is committed to helping men who have sex with men think about HIV in relation to their sexual partners with a campaign encouraging guys to know their own HIV status.

• By the end of 2011 there will be over 100,000 people in the UK living with HIV

• Today in the North West of England there are now over 7,729 people living with HIV

• 3,754 people received treatment for HIV in Greater Manchester alone in 2009

Know your status, protect yourself, protect your partner and protect your community.

There is often a lot of confusion surrounding the statistics but new infections amongst men who have sex with men happen here in the UK, whereas the majority of new infections amongst heterosexual people happen abroad.

Every day these numbers are increasing.

1 in 10 men who have sex with men are HIV +ve*

HIV is still a big issue for men who have sex with men.

About 1 in 10 gay or bisexual men *in larger cities in the UK (and as many as 1 in 7 on London's gay scene) has HIV, and between 25% and 30% are unaware that they are positive. Amongst men who have sex with men in the North West in 2009 there were 339 new cases of HIV infection and of these 202 were from Greater Manchester.

Each one of those cases represents a person whose life has changed forever.

Let’s Talk About It

How many of us think about our partner’s sexual history when we are getting to know them? It is a difficult subject to talk about, particularly if we have just met someone, but simply thinking about it is a good starting off point.

About 75% of HIV negative men would expect someone to tell them if they have HIV, yet only 25% of HIV positive men feel comfortable enough to be able to do this.

Assume nothing. By only having the kind of sex that puts you at the minimal risk of contracting an Sexually Transmitted Infections or HIV, you know that you are doing the best to look after yourself, and your health.

Condoms and Lube still offer the best protection against HIV and STIs, but remember you don’t always have to have anal sex. STIs can be passed on through oral sex as well. Gay and bisexual men who are having sex with different people should be getting a full sexual health screen, including an HIV test at least once every 12 months.

Get Tested-Look After Your Health

Early diagnosis of HIV is so important because it means that someone who is diagnosed not long after they are infected with HIV will stand a better chance of long term health, than someone who doesn’t test and is diagnosed late.

In some areas of Greater Manchester, the late diagnosis rate of people with HIV is close to 50%. This means that they are open to opportunistic infections, as well as leaving their immune system open to intense damage over many years.

The reason that people present late with an HIV diagnosis is often because they were unaware that they were infected with the virus. Any symptoms that showed up may have been so mild as to be missed, or simply put down to other infections such as cold or flu. In many cases, there wouldn’t have been any symptoms to begin with. Over the years the virus would have been silently ravaging through their immune system, and the viral load in the blood would have been increasing.

That isn’t to say that their body wouldn’t have fought back a little in an attempt to control the HIV, but the way that it works means that the more that the body tries to do, the more of a grip the virus has. It is one of the unfortunate complexities of HIV, and one of the reasons why a cure cannot be easily found.

Protection & Testing

The two messages that men who have sex with men need to keep hearing are:

1. Protect yourself against contracting HIV

2. Get tested regularly

By testing at least once every twelve months any infection by HIV will be relatively recent, and you stand the best chance of good long term health. Once you receive a positive diagnosis, your blood will be checked regularly and the viral load measured. Your immune system will also be checked to see how many of the cells that HIV targets are affected, and how many of the cells are healthy. By having these checks the HIV specialists will be able to work out when it is best for you to start on Anti-Retroviral Therapy. All of this means that you will be healthier for longer.

Unfortunately, if this is left too late then the outlook is not as good. If the immune system has been damaged over a number of years then combination therapy will not be as effective. This can lead to further complications, hospitalisation and even death. Because symptoms for HIV infection are so unreliable, it is not effective to think that an infection will be picked up through routine healthcare.

Sexually Transmitted Infections & HIV

Knowing whether or not you have an STI is one of the most important things you can do to look after your health. As well as passing these on to other people, having an STI can make it more likely that you will pick up or pass on HIV. By having regular testing, you will feel more in control of your own health, and this is turn can make decisions around having safer sex seem more important. By taking personal responsibility, each one of us can make a proactive decision to halt new STI and HIV infections, or at the very least ensure that we do everything we can to reduce them.

Going for a Check-Up

Sexual health check ups, including HIV testing, at least once every twelve months for sexually active gay men is the best way to ensure that any infection is picked up and treated to maximise your long term health. Even if you feel perfectly well, get tested and take control of your health. Many gay and bisexual men put off going for a routine sexual health check up because of horror stories or myths that they have overheard.

There are no instruments used to ‘scrape’ your insides, most tests can be done with a urine sample. If swabs are used, they are nothing scarier than a small cotton bud. If you are afraid of needles, then talk to the nurses about this, blood tests are used, but talking about your concerns beforehand will help you.

The stigma that surrounds sexual health check ups is outdated. Clinics are modern healthcare centres, with the staff being completely non-judgemental and there to help. You don’t even have to give your real name if you don’t want to, and all tests and treatments are free, and the tests are fully confidential (the records are completely separate to your doctor’s records, for example).

Same Day HIV Testing

Sexually active gay and bisexual men are encouraged to get a full sexual health screen at least once a year, or more often if you are sleeping with lots of different people. With more people than ever living with HIV and about 27% unaware of their infection, it has never been more important to get tested regularly.

Some infections can be treated easily with antibiotics and are completely curable. HIV is not curable, but effective health monitoring and treatments are available in the UK.

Some places offer same day HIV testing, with the results available within the hour.

Know your status, protect yourself, protect your partner and protect your community.

For support and information please call 0845 3 30 30 30 or e-mail: info@lgf.org.uk

For more information on where to get tested and when checkout:

http://www.lgf.org.uk/testing

Today we spoke with Greater Manchester’s Immigration Aid Unit. Here they tell us about the wonderful work they do and the services they provide.

Please can you tell us a little bit about the work that Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU) does and the services on offer?

Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit was set up to challenge racism and to support black and ethnic minority communities affected by immigration controls. We provide legal immigration and asylum advice and representation. Many of the people we work with are marginalised and discriminated against, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people claiming asylum. We maintain up-to-date knowledge of the political situations in countries that are known to be hostile and dangerous for lesbians and gay men and advocate for people within the UK asylum system which can itself be a hostile and degrading process for many.

You have been granted some community funding from Manchester Pride. Please can you tell us what this money will be used for and the difference it will make to GMIAU?

We will use the money raised from Manchester Pride to support LGBT people in their claims for asylum, where we haven’t got funding from elsewhere, and where we know we can make a difference. The funding allows us to carry out more extensive research, to spend more time preparing the case, help with their campaign if they have one, and to use the experience we gain to the benefit of others in a similar situation.

What projects and campaigns are GMIAU currently working on?

Our main campaign at the moment is to secure funded immigration advice for people in Greater Manchester and to make sure that people who have very little power have the right to have their immigration cases heard properly and to make legal challenges to secure their right to stay in the UK. The Governments recent Green Paper on the future of legal aid, if it goes ahead, will mean huge cuts in entitlement to publicly funded access to legal representation. This is a completely unacceptable assault on the rights of the poorest people and we will be doing everything we can to stop it.

How can others help GMIAU?

We would love people to help us fund raise and organise events to raise awareness of the issues that lead people to claim asylum in the UK and use this to challenge homophobia and discrimination.

What advice would you give to someone who wishes to seek asylum in the UK?

Get good legal advice as soon as possible.

And finally, what’s in store for GMIAU in 2011?

More battles and more wins! All charitable organisations face a rough time over the next few months with funding cuts and increased uncertainty. We aim to still be here, fighting for people’s rights, this year, next year and for many years to come.

For more information visit http://www.gmiau.org/

We were delighted to see The Minister for Equality, Lynne Featherstone (pictured right) in Manchester today to officially open the Lesbian and Gay Foundation’s (LGF) new premises and launch a number of new government initiatives.

On cutting the (huge pink) ribbon to open the Centre Ms Featherstone said: "It is a great pleasure to be at this fantastic facility, where Manchester leads, it is clear the rest of the country will follow."

We couldn’t agree more!

Ms Featherstone then announced that the Government were today launching Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality: Moving Forward -  a Government action plan to tackle LGBT inequality.

We’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone at the LGF on all their hard work – well done guys!

For more information check out http://bit.ly/gayBZP  

Can you tell us a little bit about the work that you do? 

We are a recently formed networking group whose catchment area is throughout Bury and North Manchester. The group started following an initiative by the Diversity Group of Bury Police who worked closely with members of the pre-existing Bury MBC's LGBT Employees Group. The group is slowly developing and growing following a series of meetings, a questionnaire and significant assistance from the Lesbian & Gay Foundation's Development Team.

Bury LGBT Networking has been granted some community funding from Manchester Pride. Please can you tell us what this money will be used for and the difference it will make to your group?

The community funding that Pride have generously provided will go towards the operational costs of the group and help us raise our profile in the area. The grant will help us promote the group and connect with Bury’s LGBT residents and identify their needs

What advice would you give to people who are thinking of coming out for the first time?

The group is very much in its embryonic stages of development and does not operate a counselling / support service for those who may be coming out. This is not to say, that we would not help those coming out. We would endeavour to make them a part of our community and encourage them to utilise their skills for the wider purposes of the group. The group will also draw on its member’s local knowledge of facilities in and around Manchester and put those who may be coming out in a positive direction towards those that provide that specific service, such as The LGF.

Can you tell us a little bit about any events you have on offer?

Our first project will be a fundraising social event called ‘OUT! Prestwich – not the only village in Manchester’ which will be held on Saturday 16th April in association with Longfield LIVE (visit their Facebook group) at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich. Tickets are only £5 and there is a Kylie Tribute plus a DJ verses session with Zoe McVeigh and Lisa Loveheart. There will be drinks promotions and a great opportunity to mix and mingle with friends old and new.

The prime objectives will be to bring an LGBT focus to the Bury area and also provide a safe space and enjoyable environment that will directly benefit those in this and the surrounding areas.

How can other people help and support Bury LGBT Networking?

Other people can help by directly contacting the group via its e-mail address BuryLGBTNetworking@live.co.uk and either offering whatever voluntary skills they may have, or by attending our meetings to see what we offer and effectively contribute direct or indirect and help us to diversify our interests and increase our activities.

And finally, what's in store for Bury LGBT Networking in 2011.

Beside the ‘OUT! Prestwich’ event, mentioned above, we plan to raise our profile and get our questionnaire more widely distributed so we can gain views and feedback from the diverse LGBT community in Bury. This, together with our new Facebook Group (Bury LGBT Networking group), should lead to an increase in our membership. Once that is achieved we will begin to further develop both our structure and our activities.

You are renowned for being a social group for bisexual people. Can you tell us a little bit about the work you do, and the services you provide?

Our central work is providing a little bit of bi space in a world that is still mostly about being straight or gay. So we have a regular 'talky' group space, social meet-ups, and also have people who can talk about bisexuality for groups and events. We have produced a few publications and hosted day and longer bi community events too.

We started back in 1994 so we've recently turned sixteen and are the longest running bi group in the UK. A lot has changed in that time, but we still find there are a lot of people who could use a little bi space in their lives.

BiPhoria has been granted some community funding from Manchester Pride. Please can you tell us what this money will be used for and the difference it will make to your group?

The funding pays for room hire that lets our core 'talky space' group work happen. Sometimes these meetings can be quite fluffy, but sometimes a lot more serious, depending on the issues raised - it's down to what is on the minds of the people who come along. So it lets bi people and those who think they may be bi have a space to talk about problems and issues they are running into that they might otherwise not have anywhere else. A space where bisexuality is normal rather than questioned, and is just something about you rather than 'the problem'. Thank you everyone who gave at Pride last summer for helping that happen!

There's a little bit extra in the funding which helps us be visible at events like Prides around the region so people can find us.

What advice would you give to those who are in any way questioning their sexual orientation who think they might be bi?

The most important thing is: don't panic, and don't let anyone else's ideas about sexuality dictate your life. Who you fancy may have changed, but you are still the same person.

There are lots of different ways of being bi - for example, some bi people find their attractions to men and women are very similar and would say they're 'gender blind' whereas for others they get different things from different genders. Still bi!

Talk to someone you trust, or if you could use a chance to talk to people outside your regular circle of friends, come along to a BiPhoria night or drop us a line.

Can you tell us a little bit about the regular events you have an offer?

The main talky space sessions are the first Tuesday of each month at the LGF centre on Richmond Street, from 7.30pm. There's a monthly pub meet two weeks later, but the rest of our calendar is up to group members - someone posts a suggestion to our email list and before you know it we're hiking up a mountain, soaking up some cultural event, or propping up a bar somewhere.

How can other people help and support BiPhoria?

Not everyone needs a group space, but projects like ours need a high profile to reach the people who do. So you could link to our website, or get in touch for flyers and booklets about the group and bisexuality if there are places you can distribute or display them. And if you have other ideas - drop us a line on mail@biphoria.org.uk - we'll be glad to hear from you.

And finally, what is in store for BiPhoria 2011?

It's already been a busy year, with two new publications launched - our guide to coming out and staying out, "Getting Bi In A Gay/Straight World", and a more serious one on bisexuality and mental health that comes out of some work we did with the NHS last year. We had a day-long event to celebrate sixteen years of the group and a talk about Manchester's bi history for LGBT History Month. As we head into the summer we'll be heading out of town for Prides across the North West, for Leicester's Big Bi Fun Day and for BiFest Oxford. Then it'll be a busy pair of weekends as Manchester Pride is followed a few days later by BiCon, which is kind of "Bi Pride". And a couple of weeks after that it's Bi Visibility Day on September 23rd - no idea what we'll be doing for that yet but you can be sure we will mark the date in style!

For more information:

Email BiPhoria on mail@biphoria.org.uk

Website www.biphoria.org.uk

Twitter www.twitter.com/biphoria  

Or write to: Box 101, LGF, 5 Richmond Street, Manchester M1 3HF

We recently caught up with Councilor Paul Fairweather. Here he tells us what it was like to tell the Pride Vigil crowd that he is HIV positive, and why he’s looking forward to celebrating Manchester Pride’s 21st birthday.

In 2009 you took to the stage at the Pride Vigil and told thousands in attendance that you are HIV positive. The reaction you received was just fantastic and the entire crowd applauded. How did this feel?

I had such a fantastic response when I spoke at the Pride Vigil in 2009 that for me it was a very positive experience. As I said at the Vigil it was the right thing for me to do at that time and since I have come out about being HIV positive I have had great support from friends and colleagues and feel more relaxed in myself and able to speak about living with HIV when I choose to do so.

You are on the board of trustees at George House Trust (GHT). Can you tell us a little bit about the services they provide?

I am on the board at GHT and they provide a whole range of services. They provide specific peer support groups for gay men, women and African people as well as one to one support for people living with HIV. I think their services are especially important for people who are newly diagnosed and they also run a group for gay men who have just been told that they are HIV positive.

GHT also organised the Vigil at Manchester Pride and as well as providing a wide range of services have been involved in campaigning, lobbying and educational work to increase awareness and understanding of HIV issues.

What advice would you offer to someone who has recently discovered they are HIV positive?

In terms of advice for newly diagnosed people I think it is important to get as much information and support as you can. I know many gay men who have found the support they have got from HIV organisations and groups has been crucial to their well-being. I also think you need to think really carefully about who you tell you are positive too. I think often you need to get used to the fact that you are HIV positive yourself before you can begin to tell too many other people .

You have been campaigning for gay rights for a number of years now. How important is it to support the LGBT community?

I have been involved in campaigning for LGBT rights since the early 1970's and think it is important to do what you can to support our communities. There are many many different ways to do this from volunteering your time, donating money, lobbying your MP or supporting local community groups. But the huge changes we have seen over the last 40 years have only come about because of the hard work and commitment of many people in the LGBT community.

Do you have a message of support for any of our readers who are thinking of coming out for the first time?

I think coming out is a important step for all of us to take as it has been the invisibility of gay people that in the past had made it easier for us to be ignored and discriminated against. For me, and for many people once you have come out you begin to feel much more relaxed and confident about yourself. But of course it never stops as you are always in new situations and have to keep on doing it.

And finally, are you looking forward to celebrating Manchester Pride’s 21st birthday this summer?

I am really looking forward to celebrating the 21st anniversary of Manchester Pride and in particular to going to many of the events over the 10 day festival as well as the Big Weekend. I always enjoy the Parade and watching the huge variety of people who have turned out to support and for me that is a big change. I can remember when there was a far greater level of hostility towards gay people in the city and I think Pride has played an important role in changing that and contributing to a far more relaxed, diverse and confident city.