Three days of free performances, workshops, music and more have been lined up for a weekend-long celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in the Staffordshire Moorlands.
The first-ever Pride in the Moorlands event takes place over three days from 27 to 29 June, the main event being the Pride Torch Relay which will travel through towns and villages across the Moorlands ending in a party in Leek.
Other events include a Pride film being shown in Cheadle, celebrations at Biddulph’s The Royal Oak pub and Pride bingo in Tean.
The finale in Leek town centre on Sunday, 29 June will feature a party in Market Place and the Trestle Market between 1pm and 8pm.
Four dancers will go head-to-head in a dance, fashion and lip sync competition with the audience deciding the winner at the Family Catwalk Extravaganza with Ghetto Fabulous on Market Place from 1.45pm and Dr Christopher Owen from Coliberate talks about Pride as a global movement and invites questions in a safe space at the Trestle Market between 2.15pm and 3pm.
Powerhouse vocals and wall-to wall disco, dance, and club classics to get audiences singing and dancing are expected at the Trestle Market for the Big Fatt Dance Party with Fatt Projects between 3.30pm and 5pm, while the event will finish with a Drag DJ on there afterwards until 8pm.
Pride in the Moorlands has been organised by arts programme OUTSIDE and a steering group of local LGBTQ+ community and allies.
Sarah Bird, Creative Director of OUTSIDE, said: “Pride in the Moorlands is more than just a celebration.
“It’s about visibility, connection, and showing our local LGBTQ+ community that they are valued, loved, and supported – right here in the Moorlands. But it’s also an amazing weekend of fun, colour, and joy.
“We’ve got fabulous performances and activities for people to come together and have an unforgettable time. Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, it’s a weekend that will lift your spirits.”
More information about the event can be found here.
