Cambridge gets ready for inaugural Pride event

Cambridge’s first Pride event will take place this Saturday (June 8), celebrating inclusivity and LGBT+ life.

It will be launched with a punt flotilla, starting at Quayside at 11am and ending at Jesus Green Weir at noon.

The main event will then take place on Jesus Green between noon and 10pm, followed by after-parties.

Pride is organised by volunteers in association with The Pink Festival Group charity.

Community groups spent their May weekends making colourful costumes for the eight punts.

Cambridge-based charity for LGBT+ young people, The Kite Trust, is playing a key role.

“The idea for the phoenix costume comes from the colour of our punt, which is red, representing life-force. It’s also the first colour of the rainbow” said Jack Wilkin, project worker at The Kite Trust. “The young people who are involved in this community art project chose the phoenix as a symbol of rising up out of the ashes to represent their strength and resilience.”

The Kite Trust will run the Youth Tent at Cambridge Pride, and has given young people who access its services the chance to lead the planning and running the programme.

“The youth tent at Pride will be bursting with activity,’ says Jack. “We have a DJ workshop, an open mic session, a carnival workshop and the first ever Queer British Bake Off, which we’re all really excited about.”

Lara Jaffey, The Kite Trust's executive director, added: “We are delighted that a group of dedicated young people came forward and took the lead in running the Youth Tent at Cambridge Pride as this fits brilliantly with our youth leadership programme.

“Our message is, come and join in the celebrations at Cambridge’s first Pride, but don’t forget why we are all here. Fifty years ago, the LGBT+ movement began and there is still a lot of work to be done before everyone feels equal and accepted, whatever their sexuality or gender identity.”

The timetable and key events

• River parade starts at Jesus Green at 11am on Saturday June 8 and ends at Magdalene Bridge
• Community punts will represent: The Kite Trust, Encompass Network, Dhiverse, Diamonds, the QTI POC Festival, Cambridge University Student Union LGBTQ group, the LGBT+ Staff Networks Group (NHS, Police, Fire Service and others),
• Pride tents open at midday on Jesus Green
• The Kite Trust Youth Tent activities: Queer Bake Off with judges Hairy Berry and Paul Polly Pocket, DJ workshop, Bracelet and costume making.
• Main stage: Craig Maddox, Colonel Spank’s Love Ensemble, Mr Fabulous, Keltrix,
• Comedy tent: stand-up, drag acts and lip-sync competition judged by Mr Fabulous