Swindon and Wiltshire Gay Pride to take place tomorrow
Final preparations are underway for tomorrow’s third annual Swindon and Wiltshire Gay Pride celebrations.
The event will take place in Swindon’s Old Town Gardens. Organisers said in a statement that it would be “bigger than ever” adding, “As a community we still need to continue to break down the barriers so we can live a free and open life within today’s society without fear or prejudice”.
The organisers have teamed up with Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) to create the “Healthy Body – Healthy Mind” zone, aimed at promoting a healthier physical lifestyle which can lead to better mental wellbeing.
Organisers said that as members of the LGBT community can face complex mental health issues they felt this was an important subject for inclusion.
There will also be Stop Hate workshops, run in conjunction with Wiltshire police and designed to enlighten the LGBT and wider community about what constitutes a hate crime and what can be done to stop it.
The event is being sponsored by Nationwide – Swindon and Wiltshire’s first corporate sponsor. The Nationwide Main Stage will feature a line-up of drag acts, bands and local talent. Headlining is 1980s pop-punk star Toyah Wilcox.
The event begins tomorrow (Saturday 14 August) at 11:30am with the Pride Parade which leaves from the Aviary in the Town Gardens.
