Cumbria Pride Celebrates Diversity in Carlisle This Weekend

Members of the LGBT community across Cumbria will arrive in Carlisle city centre on 16 September, for the eighth annual event. Cumbria Pride represents the UK’s second largest county, welcoming people from all across the north west corner. Attendees look to the event for a chance to be themselves, while offering support to others elsewhere in the world who are faced with atrocities simply because of who they are.  

One of the fastest growing UK Pride events, Cumbria Pride offers a line-up comparable to that of the larger cities. This year will showcase a whole host of local talent, alongside successful artists with numerous records to their name. Following appearances on Ellen Degeneres, Tom Andrews will headline, along with Penrith jazz singer Georgie Braggins, who made her name on The Voice. The event will also see 911’s, Lee Brennan, play a rare hometown gig.  

The growing success of Cumbria Pride is testament to the volunteers, whose only reward for their year-round hard work, is seeing the whole thing come together on the day. 

Glenn Anderson joined the Cumbria Pride committee five years ago and until recently was Chair of Pride. He has previously ran numerous pubs and clubs, including opening the gay bar, Outrageous. Glenn believes having venues such as this in Carlisle has helped open people’s imaginations and been instrumental to the city embracing diversity.  

He said: “I think things have improved greatly and the police have been instrumental. The LGBT community have found reporting incidents of hate crimes and verbal abuse much easier because the police do listen and they are approachable and they also now have a very large, visible, interactive presence at Pride events.”  

Along with the many music and entertainment acts on the day, a number of prominent speakers will take to the stage to spread Pride’s real message, that of equality. And there will be many marquees offering support and advice for anyone struggling with their sexuality.  

Glenn said: “There is a very serious side to our message, it’s nice to mix it in with a bit of fun but we’re extremely conscious of our duty.  

“The important thing that we want to demonstrate this year with Pride, is that it’s okay to be yourself. It’s just important that you can see that other people have found the strength to stand up and be counted, but also live comfortably within their own skin.” 

Growing up in a time when there was no acceptance of gay men, Glenn has been a staunch advocate for equal rights for many years. This year marked the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexualty in the UK.  

 Glenn explained: “Given the benefit of my own personal experience and that of the committee, it will actually help educate people going forward to be more accepting of who they are, without having to endure all the heartache that people of my generation and older had to experience.”  

Despite seeing positive changes in Carlisle itself, this year’s theme, ‘Autumn of Diversity’ has been inspired by what organisers believe to be a decline in people’s acceptance of diversity issues across the world. From the hatred being instilled in Russia, to President Trump’s banning of the transgender community from the military. 

Glenn said: “It’s our job in first world countries to stand up against what’s happening and what demonstrations such as Cumbria Pride do is give notice to our local politicians that we’re aware of what’s going on.” 

From what started as just 50 people attending the first ever event in the Student’s Union, Cumbria Pride has come a long way.  

He added: “I’m very proud of Cumbria Pride, it has instilled a very warm feeling inside to see such an expression of love and openness on the day and that has come about because of a very small group of people. They have basically helped mould a situation where thousands of people attend the city centre once a year to celebrate their diversity.”  

 

For more information visit www.cumbriapride.org/