Get set for Chester Digital Pride

Chester Pride is set to look slightly different this year, with a Digital Pride event taking place on Saturday, 8th August.

As with many largescale events, the usual Chester Pride event has had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the team at Chester Pride has been working extremely hard to put together exciting support projects and alternative event plans for the day. The Chester Digital Pride event will take place from 10am to 9pm and promises a unique blend of social media activity.

Why not get involved and help mark Chester Pride 2020? There will be plenty of entertainment throughout the day including live and pre-recorded performances, online workshops and advice, plus much more to cater for people of all ages, genders and sexual orientations.

You will be able to join the event on the Chester Pride website:

• www.chesterpride.co.uk

Chester Pride is a celebration of diversity and support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender+ community. The + symbol is intended to include all other minority gender identities and sexual orientations that aren’t explicitly included in LGBT.

The Council has been a key sponsor and supporter of Chester Pride since the very beginning in 2013, and this year would have marked its eighth birthday.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, said: “Pride is extremely important to me as it is a celebration of excellent work done by local groups, sponsors and supporters and we must remember that even though there has been a lot of progress made towards equality for all people, Pride recognises that people are still affected by homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and stigma.

“As a Council we believe that we all have a part to play in creating a world where everyone can be themselves. We remain fully committed to reducing inequalities and improving the health and wellbeing of all our residents. This means addressing health inequalities for LGBT+ communities, tackling issues such as bullying, mental health issues, domestic violence, homelessness, suicide and self-harm, drug and alcohol misuse, social isolation and vulnerability in old age.

“The event helps to promote awareness of equality and inclusion and brings communities together no matter what their sexual orientation, race, religion, age, gender or ability may be.

“Even though we won’t be parading through the city’s streets, doused in colour this year, I would encourage everyone to get involved and join in the virtual Pride celebrations which take place on the original Pride date throughout the whole day.”