Sonique, Princess Elsa and the NUM… Doncaster Pride has it all!
Although Doncaster Pride is first and foremost a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights, organisers are positively promoting the event to everyone in Doncaster and surrounding areas as a way to bring together the wider community.
Pride organisers have teamed up with the local NUM branch and local collieries, including recently closed Hatfield Colliery, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the miners return to work after the strike.
An unusual combination of groups? Well not really as anyone who’s seen the film Pride, released last year, will know. There is history between the mining communities and the LGBT community dating back to the 80’s when the group Lesbian and Gay’s support the Mineworkers (LGSM) raised money for striking miners and their families – the true story is told in the film.
Event organiser Jenny Dewsnap, said: “It was too good an opportunity to miss. Living in the heart of the Yorkshire coalfield we just had to do something to recreate the London Pride March of 1985 where the massed collieries and marching bands led the Pride London March through the streets of London to show solidarity with the LGBT community who had supported them through the strike. We approached the NUM locally and they have been extremely supportive. There will be miners carrying banners, Women Against Pit Closures and possibly even the LGSM members from London will join us.
“We have managed, through the support given to us by the NUM, to book the Sheffield City Pipe Band to lead our march and we’ve given the mining communities of Doncaster a reason to march, unfurl their banners proudly and lead our walk through the streets of Doncaster.”
The march is only part of what promises to be a colourful day with a main stage featuring over 8 hours of dance, music and drag as well as the regular array of market stalls, fairground rides and information providers – including Doncaster Pride’s own Big Lottery funded Youth Project that is working in Doncaster schools to help support young people, families and educators to stamp out homophobia in schools.
Pride Chair, Cath Fox said of the event: “This year’s event is really going to be something special and we’ve really pushed ourselves as a committee to deliver something different. The march will be spectacular and the acts we have for the stage extraordinary! There really is something for everyone and families from across Doncaster and especially the mining communities are encouraged to come and join in what promises to be a great day for Doncaster.”
This year’s stage features dance acts, tribute performers, vocalists, acoustic performers and even a sing along Disney Frozen set with Princess Elsa and “real” snow! Almost all the second half is given over to “Party with Pride” which will feature dance, disco and soul covers from the 60’s right up to date – all this coming to a spectacular end with the headline act, number one recording artiste and Brit Award Winner Sonique who will round off the party with her hits, including “Feels so Good” and “Sky”.
Cath concluded: “This has to be the best line up in years for Pride in Doncaster and we really hope people come and support the event, enjoy the march and the main stage and have a great day out”.