Manchester's historic Pride celebration has returned under a new name, Manchester Village Pride, after the previous organisation behind it went into voluntary liquidation. The event, which began in 1985 as a local fundraiser for people living with HIV and Aids, has now been re-born from the ashes of its predecessor, with bars, venues, Manchester Council and the Equity union joining forces to create a Community Interest Company (CIC).
New name, new focus
Those behind the new-look event said they wanted to focus on bringing people together and reengaging with the original intentions of the Pride movement. Many attendees who spent the weekend partying said they felt it had changed for the better.
More than 30,000 people attended on Saturday, with a similar number expected on Sunday and Monday. The daily numbers are understood to be several thousand higher than last year, despite a number of regular attendees saying this year has felt 'quieter' and 'calmer', which bosses are putting down to better crowd management.
Community response
Mark Doyle, 38, from Hulme, said: "I think its actually better. It feels smaller but I think its gone back to being what it should be about, rather than being too mainstream." His boyfriend Nick Labouchardiere, 45, added: "It feels quieter. I think some people were nervous about what has changed and wondered what it was going to be like."
Married musicians Saira Clegg, 41, and Adam Hall, 39, from Stockport, performed under their stage names SairaSax and AdBongo on the Red Bull stage. Hall said: "It feels quieter, it feels calmer. We've actually been able to walk around as there is a lot more space."
Praise for local focus
Godiva Morgan, 49, said: "This year it's gone back to the community after becoming so commercialised. Last year it was too busy. This year it's a better atmosphere. It's for the people, not the companies or the CEOs."
Recent headliners included Mel C in 2022, Jake Shears from Scissor Sisters in 2023, Sugababes in 2024 and Nelly Furtado last year. This year, the bill is topped by the likes of Cleopatra, B*Witched, DJ Sammy, Cascada, Kate Nash and Gareth Gates.
Demi Worley, 33, from Nottingham, said: "This is my first time coming to Manchester pride and it dwarfs the event in Nottingham. It's a lot better." Gill Duncan said: "The parade was absolutely amazing; I didn't expect it to be as good as it was, considering it was last-minute. More relaxed as well, and not as much walking."
Ella Gants said: "I think this year is literally so much better. It's very community-fed, unified, and every place has a very diverse array of drag - I think it's incredible." Drag queen Miss Penny added: "I think it's for the better. Obviously, it's all community led now, all the bars have gotten together, which is good and exactly how it should be."
