This year Manchester laid host once again to one of the biggest LGBT events of the year, Pride. Thousands flocked from across the U.K. and abroad to enjoy ten days of glamorous events. The events ran from 18^th-28^th of August ending in the 'Big Weekend' and ranged from lifestyle expos, films, sports, debates and of course partying, celebrating all things LGBT.

 For 72 hours across the bank holiday weekend Manchester's Gay Village was transformed into an enclosed fairground/music/clubbing festival, thousands crammed in to enjoy the fairground, the main stage full of top acts and all the bars and clubs to enjoy the celebration in the company of other LGBT's.

Saturday saw the arrival of the parade, an event that attracts more than just LGBT's but families from the surrounding area to enjoy the festivities, atmosphere and the floats. This year saw a new extended route taking the parade much further into town. Many LGBT organisations from Manchester and beyond came to show their support and make their presence known. The parade started with the George House Trust float campaigning for HIV and ended with a very attractive Selfridges float showcasing the beauty of models and Speedos. The in between ranged from charities such as the LGF (lesbian and gay foundation), Manchester's gay and lesbian police, football and rugby clubs, youth groups and the flamboyant and camp floats of all the bars and clubs in the village itself. The parade is an excellent showcase for the diversity of LGBT men and women and how much support and effort is going in to end homophobia and making our voices heard.

The Pride Festival ended with a star studded main stage line up including Jamelia and a closing act from the vocals of Angie Brown. Followed by the ever moving Candle lit Vigil remembering those who lost their lives to HIV and urging those without to help and show support. Despite the typical Manchester weather ... rain.... everyone stayed until the end of the Vigil. It was broadcasted live on BBC radio Manchester. It told the stories of those who lost their lives and friends who lost their entire group to HIV. It was very inspiring and moving to see so many gay men and women there to light their candles in respect and to mourn those lost.

The festival is there to celebrate and encourage a unity among LGBT men and women and inspire a sense of pride about being gay and accepting and supporting all the diversity that comes with it. The Parade showed that we as out gay men and women can live and work happily in safety and comfort in any field and most importantly be proud of ourselves. During the Vigil we were asked, 'Do you have a voice?', and 'Do you want to be heard?' and of course the answer is Yes, yes we do…