An ‘all-day online party’ aiming to raise funds for LGBT Foundation and George House Trust will take place next weekend.
The StreamGM Digital Pride event next Saturday (September 25) will feature ten hours of performances and short films celebrating the diversity of Greater Manchester’s LGBTQ+ community.
The event, which is supported by Talk Talk, is being presented by local Prides across Manchester including Bolton Pride, Bury Pride, Levenshulme Pride, Pride in Trafford and Wigan Pride.
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Many of Manchester’s local Pride events have been forced to cancel or significantly scale-down their events this year due to the pandemic.
Carl Austin Behan, LGBTQ+ Advisor to Andy Burnham, said SteamGM Pride was a chance to celebrate Pride from the comfort of our homes.
He says: “Due to the uncertainty of live events being able to take place this year, the Greater Manchester Pride Network wanted to make sure that our LGBTQ+ community could still engage with their respected communities in a meaningful way.
“I can’t thank the Pride Event organisers, across our whole city region enough for all the work they have done to help pull this together as well as all the fabulous, talented artists and people behind the scenes who have all given their time for free.
“Manchester Licenced Village Association are trying to raise £100,000 to support the George House Trust welfare fund and LGBT Foundation Free Condom & Lube Distribution service, so we are asking people to support this fundraising initiative by either the GoFundMe Page or by texting a donation.”
The livestream, hosted by Belinda Scandal and Misty Chance, will feature a mix of live and pre-recorded content from various artists from across Greater Manchester’s ten boroughs.
Performers include Blaq Ivory, Cheddar Gorgeous and Laurie, Finley Letchford Dobbs, House of Ghetto, Husk, Jsky, The BollyWitch, The Sunday Boys, Tito Bone and Vivienne Lynsey.
LGBT poet laureate Trudy Howson and Rowetta will also be performing.
There will also be contributions from akt, Black Beetle Health, Black Pride Manchester, Friends of Manchester Gay Village, Rainbow Noir, The Proud Trust, and Trans Creative.
In a joint statement, Paul Martin OBE, Chief Executive of LGBT Foundation, and Darren Knight, Chief Executive of George House Trust, said: “We are delighted to have the support of the first-ever Greater Manchester Digital Pride.
“The generosity of people in supporting the Village Licensed Business Association’s GoFundMe campaign and raising awareness of our work has been inspiring.
“This money underpins our life-changing work and is essential to making the world easier, safer and healthier for all LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV in Greater Manchester.
“Whilst in-person Prides have taken place, we know not everyone can engage with their community in this way. This free online event will give LGBTQ+ people a moment to celebrate who they are and the community they belong to.
“We welcome the kindness of people watching Greater Manchester Digital Pride who want to give back to the community and help carry us towards our goal.
“A special thank you goes out to all the amazing organisations and local Prides for making Greater Manchester Digital Pride happen.
"Their unwavering support, passion and enthusiasm mean everything to us.”
StreamGM Digital Pride will take place next Saturday (September 25) from noon and can be watched at www.streamgm.co.uk .
Viewers are asked to donate online to support the continuation of the Safer Sex Pack Project by visiting the GoFundMe page or by texting TARGET100K to 70085 to donate £5.
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