Members of the North East’s LGBT+ communities are being invited to show their support for those who have lost their lives – and those who keep fighting – for LGBT rights worldwide, with a special event held during Newcastle Pride.
On Sunday, July 23 – regional charity, Northern Pride, which organises Newcastle Pride, will be hosting a candlelit vigil to mark the end of this year’s tenth annual festival.
The candlelit vigil, which begins at 9pm at Newcastle Civic Centre will feature a reading from a member of the LGBT+ asylum community from Rainbow Home – an organisation in Newcastle helping LBGT refugees.
Anyone affected by tragedies such as the Orlando nightclub shooting or Chechnya’s gay concentration camps, is invited to attend the vigil and show their respect for those involved.
Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride, said: “The Co-op candlelit vigil is the perfect place for the LGBT community to share a moment of reflection for other members of the community who are being persecuted around the world.
“We still have such a long way to go in the fight against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and we refuse to tolerate anti LGBT violence anywhere in the world.
“The fight for equal rights continues and we hope everyone will join us in lighting a thousand candles to not only remember – but celebrate – all those who have dedicated their lives to fighting for LGBT rights.”
he popular festival, which attracted more than 73,000 visitors and contributed more than £10.4m to the economy in 2016, is returning with its largest ever line up on the 21 to 23 July weekend at Newcastle Town Moor.
For full listings for all of this year’s satellite events and the official Newcastle Pride weekend, click here: or search northernprideuk on Facebook and Twitter.
The festival itself is free to attend, however a number of Gold Circle and VIP tickets are available for those who want to guarantee prime viewing spots for the performances on July 22 and 23.
To book tickets online, click here: