The celebration, which raises awareness of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and others (LGBTQ+) communities will take place during the summer from June to August 2024. This time is also to reflect on the progress made towards equality while acknowledging there is still so much more to do.
The main event will be the borough’s first Rochdale in Rainbows pride parade on Saturday, 13 July 2024, which will take place outside the newly restored Rochdale Town Hall. Community groups, partners, local businesses, and dance groups will all be taking part in the parade, showing off their Pride progress flags, some of which will be hand-crafted. The celebrations will then continue at the Bright Hall at the town hall for refreshments, speeches, and entertainment.
Additional events throughout the summer, include youth services pride in the park on Friday, 28 June 2024, for young people aged 11–19 in Queen’s Park in Heywood. Young people can have fun and celebrate being proud of who they are, enjoy a disco and drag queen appearances. Plus, Touchstones and the Royal Exchange Theatre will be hosting a community festival, FestiDale, which will include teenager and family catwalks and a fashion and lip sync competition at Kingsway Park High School on Sunday, 18 August 2024.
The pride progress flag will be raised in each of the townships in the borough, and technology giant Siemens has again supported and fully funded the installation of gender and sexual orientation crossing lights in Middleton, Heywood, and Rochdale town centre.
Councillor Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale Borough Council said:
“We are proud of the cooperative nature of Rochdale in Rainbows Pride, which has seen local partners, businesses, community groups, and residents all join together to make this year’s events bigger and better than ever. This year will see our first-ever Rochdale in Rainbows parade, making our 2024 celebrations a year to remember. We are committed to supporting and celebrating equality, equity, inclusion, and respect for everyone, this is reflected in our values which are at the heart of the events that I hope you all enjoy.”
Carl Austin-Behan OBE, deputy lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Rochdale in Rainbows board member, GM LGBTQ+ community ambassador said:
“It has been great to be able to have this Rochdale in Rainbows celebration in 2024. There are so many enthusiastic people in the borough of Rochdale committed to celebrating and supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Pride is a time when LGBTQ+ communities come together and reflect on how far we’ve come, as well as acknowledge how much there is still to do.”
