akt's 2023 pride roundup

akt is proud to have attended 15 pride celebrations in 2023.

Pride protests and marches play a crucial role in celebrating  acceptance and equality, recognising the work of LGBTQ+ people, LGBTQ+ history, and raising awareness about issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.

This year we have made a conscious effort to attend more grass-root pride events, giving us the chance to meet those from the LGBTQ+ community outside of big cities.

As well as being there to show support at key protests and marches, our team ran information and outreach stalls at the majority of the pride events we attended. This gave akt staff and volunteers the opportunity to connect with members of the LGBTQ+ community, spread the word and raise awareness about the work akt does, as well as reach people who may be in need of akt’s vital support services.

Here is a round up of all of the pride events that akt attended in 2023.

Forest Gayte Pride | 24th June

In June, akt attended Forest Gayte Pride in the East London borough of Newham. Founded in 2017, Forest Gayte Pride aims to give a voice to LGBTQ+ residents of Newham through events and education; creating a platform for the queer community to express themselves in a safe, inclusive space, during pride and beyond.

Aycliffe Pride | 1st of July

The team was also at Aycliffe’s very first Pride Event, founded by Aycliffe Radio. As a grass-roots event, this pride celebration gave our volunteers the chance to meet local people from Aycliffe’s LGBTQ+ community, many of which hadn’t heard about akt before.

Bristol Pride | 8th of July

Record numbers joined together at Bristol Parade March this year, with an incredible 25,000 people attending the celebration, akt included. We joined the event with an information stall in the community tent.

London Trans Pride | 8th of July

Alongside akt, over 25,000 People Marched for Trans Rights in London in July, in what has been described as the largest trans+ pride march in history.

Sunderland Pride | 8th of July

In July, akt attended Sunderland Pride founded by Sunderland LGBT+ Network, Sunderland’s largest diversity charity.

Sparkle Manchester | 7th – 9th of July

This year akt attended Sparkle Weekend, the world’s largest free-to-attend celebration of gender diversity, and a safe space for anyone who identifies as gender non-conforming, their families, friends, and allies.

Pink Picnic, Salford | 17th of July

akt also attended The Pink Picnic, Salford’s annual lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans & non-binary+, pride celebration. The event took place in July this year, is located in Peel Park and organised by Salford Pride.

Northern Pride | 22nd of July

Despite the rain, akt attended Northern Pride, joined by 15,000 LGBTQ+ people and allies who came together on the march for Northern Pride.

Stockport Pride | 30th of July

The team at akt also had a stall at Stockport pride in Greater Manchester. Our team of staff and volunteers had a fantastic time spending the day here, meeting new locals and spreading the word  about akt’s work.

Manchester Pride | 25th – 28th of August

Manchester plays a huge part in the UK’s queer liberation movement. In 1985, Manchester City Council provided funding for a two-week celebration held at Oxford Street for the gay community, from this Manchester Pride was born! akt marched in the Manchester Pride Parade with staff, volunteers, young people and even Trustees from the Board. We ran an info stall in the Community Lane on Saturday and Sunday, as well as staffing an outreach stall at the brilliant Youth Pride event on Sunday.

Bi Pride | 2nd of September

In September, team akt joined over 1,300 people attending Bi Pride in London. Bi Pride UK’s mission is to create spaces where people who experience attraction beyond gender can be freely visible and celebrate themselves and their identities.

Chorlton Pride | 16th of September

In September, akt attended Chorlton’s first ever Pride event. Led by the local community, this day provided the perfect opportunity to come together, celebrate and promote the visibility of LGBTQ+ people in Chorlton and its surrounding areas.