First Pride festival launched

St John Rigby College student Rebecca Bryan’s design for the bonanza was judged the best at the big reveal at Leigh Town Hall.

It will figure large in the run-up to the festival to be held in Wigan town centre on Saturday August 13.

The list of contributors is long but much credit goes to BYOU, a borough youth action group for young LGBTQ people, and BYou+, an adult steering, support and engagement group for LGBTQ folk. And they are promising a wealth of entertainment all day including comedians, musicians and local bands, including Leigh’s own The Lottery Winners as the headliners.

Coun Jo Platt, the council’s portfolio holder for young people, said: “I am so proud of our young people who have come forward and used their voice to engage with the authority and a wide range of partners to hold Wigan’s very first event to celebrate LGBTQ culture and pride!”

Co-founder of BYou+ Jess Eastoe said: “The collaborative work shown by all the partners and young people involved has demonstrated a clear necessity to respect and encourage equality and diversity. The young people have worked extremely hard with adults to ensure every detail for the event is inclusive and supportive across the borough. It’s wonderful so many schools have participated in the competitions.”

Wigan Mayor Coun Susan Loudon said: “I’m really happy that the borough is celebrating equality and diversity with its first ever pride event, this year. It is a great inspiration that the young people steering the event are engaging with adults to create what they think will be as inclusive and proactive for the community as possible.”