Borough’s first Pride to be held in November

Councillor Sara Rowbotham (2nd r), deputy leader of Rochdale Borough Council, at the event

The borough of Rochdale will host its first Pride this November.

Rochdale in Rainbows presents Pride will begin on Saturday 16 November with two weeks of awareness raising activities and the borough’s first LGBT+ conference.

The fortnight is being coordinated by the Rochdale in Rainbows steering group which is made up of organisations from across the borough including Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), Link4Life and The Proud Trust.

The public are being asked to send in their ideas for what they’d like to get involved with during the borough’s first LGBT+ celebration.

The announcement was made at Touchstones before a performance of LGBT+ play, All The Bens, last Saturday.

Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture, said: “It’s brilliant to see many organisations and charities working together to make a Pride in the borough possible.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our LGBT+ community to have their say on what they would like to see and I really encourage people to contribute their ideas.”

The fortnight will include entertainment like a performance of the play First Time at Touchstones. There will also be a focus on LGBT+ issues and opportunities, as well as shining a light on services available across the borough.

Taking place on Thursday 21 November, the LGBT+ conference will provide opportunities for local professionals to learn about initiatives in the borough, including the work taking place in education and the health sector.

Share your ideas on what you would like to happen across the borough during Rochdale in Rainbows presents Pride by emailing rainbows@rochdale.gov.uk

Details of events and how to get involved will be shared in the coming months.