On 20th February 1988, a huge anti-Section 28 protest was held in Manchester. Over 20,000 people took to the streets to let their disquiet be heard. At the time, it was one of the largest LGBTQ+ demonstrations ever to take place in the UK. Fast forward to today, and Manchester continues to lead the way in the fight for LGBTQ+ liberation.
The Manchester Pride Parade is the city's biggest, with tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ people and allies gathering to march through the city for equality and thousands more lining the streets to take in the spectacular sea of colours.
On Saturday 27th August 2022, we called on you to join us in our ‘March for Peace’.
This year's Parade theme was March for Peace, with the importance of peace in a world where all LGBTQ+ people are free to live and love without prejudice, at its heart. We originally introduced the theme in 2020 before the pandemic took hold and we were unable to take to the streets. As we look around the world today, this theme has become even more relevant. Conflict within and outside of our communities is rife, and in 2022 we called on our LGBTQ+ communities and allies around Greater Manchester to join in and support us in our March for Peace.
This year's Manchester Pride Parade was a show-stopping, feel good procession that wowed crowds across Manchester, and sent the world a big, bright, colourful message that everyone deserves to live and love in peace."Our Parade message is loud and clear this year: No one is really free unless we are all free, and no one gets left behind." Mark Fletcher, CEO
LGBTQ+ people have fought for and achieved so much, but levels of homophobic and transphobic hate crimes have soared in recent years with many people still facing discrimination because of their identity. We asked our communities and our allies to come together, to embrace and celebrate our differences, and to recognise that everyone deserves the right to be who they are and live their lives in peace.
The Parade takes place on Saturday 27th August and commences at midday.
We don’t facilitate individual entries, but we can support you in finding an organisation for you to join and walk with. Alternatively, you can join the Manchester Pride Parade Entry as a Parade Trouper as a Volunteer and we will be announcing details shortly.
We want to invite more LGBTQ+ organisations to join us to march through the streets of Manchester and so we have reviewed our entry categories for 2022 which will mean more LGBTQ+ organisations and groups will be able to participate for free.
When applying, please review the different categories below to see which category you should apply for:
New Category: LGBTQ+ Organisations:
Previously we had differentiated between LGBT+ or HIV community groups or organisations that do not receive any funding from any source and those that do. From 2022, all LGBTQ+ groups will be categorised as such where they receive funding or not. There has been a slight increase in cost to Commercial entries to subsidise smaller LGBTQ+ organisations taking part.
Non LGBTQ+ or Not for Profit:
A not-for-profit organisation or community group whose vision and mission is not focussed specifically around supporting LGBTQ+ people.
Public Sector:
Organisations providing all public services in the UK, from the emergency services and healthcare, education and social care to housing and refuse collection.
New Category: Greater Manchester Independent Business
We want to encourage our local communities to join the Parade but understand that there have been financial barriers in the past for small businesses based on Manchester to take part. Therefore, we have introduced a new category for Greater Manchester Independent Businesses and if you are unsure if you qualify then please contact us before applying.
Small Business:
Businesses that employ less than 50 people.
Commercial organisation:
Businesses that employ more than 50 people.
All participants in the Manchester Pride Parade must be a part of a registered group. We cannot facilitate people arriving on the day with previously registering.
