Our parade theme, "Queerly Beloved," delves into the transformative power of the dance floor, highlighting its pivotal role in fostering self-acceptance and igniting a sense of empowerment and liberation. This year, we brought the dance floor to the streets! Get ready to let loose, express yourself, and dance like nobody's watching.
The dance floor is a space where queer individuals can shed societal expectations and norms, stepping into their power and reclaiming their bodies and identities. The ballroom scene served as a safe haven for the community, particularly for those who faced additional discrimination and marginalisation, such as queer, trans, and intersectional people of colour (QTIPOC) and the wider trans communities. Amidst the ongoing fight against racism and for trans rights, it provided a platform for individuals to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
The ballroom scene continues to be a powerful force, centring trans and QTIPOC voices and experiences, challenging norms, and redefining notions of beauty, artistry, and self-expression. The dance floor has always been a sacred space for the LGBTQ+ community, and now, it's time to embrace it on the Parade route!
The Manchester Pride Parade honoured the rich history of ballroom culture and recognize its profound impact on our community. As we celebrated "Queerly Beloved," we paid tribute to the dance floor as a transformative space where love, self-expression, and acceptance intertwine.
The Manchester Pride Parade is the city's biggest parade, with tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ people and allies gathering to march through the city for equality, grinding the city to a halt with thousands of people lining the streets to take in the spectacular sea of colours. If there is ever an opportunity to shout loud and proud about who we are and what our values are, it is at the Parade!
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! This and many other protests around the globe paved the way for the Pride Parades we see around the world today.
Fast forward to present day, and Manchester continues to lead the way in the fight for LGBTQ+ liberation.
The Parade takes place on Saturday 26th 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. Please fill out an application form here.