The list of Gay Prides that are being cancelled in the US this year due to the political sheganains and undisguised homophobia of some state administrations keeps growing. Only this week, DeSantis in Florida signed a Bill prohibiting public money from being spent on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The law bars preferential treatment or special benefits for groups based on characteristics such as race, sex, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation. It’s therefore a joy to be able to report that some towns/cities are actually holding their first ever Prides, even if they are on the other side of the Atlantic. Last month, we wrote about two cities called Woolwich that were launching Pride (see HERE), and today we have news about TRUE PRIDE in Manchester, UK. ( For non-Brits, we should add this is the same city where the hit TV series Queer as Folk was based/filmed)
The inaugural TRUE PRIDE, an exclusively queer-curated Pride festival of performance, film and community, will take place on Saturday, 1 August 2026. Created to centre queer artists, voices and audiences, the festival offers a bold and representative platform for LGBTQI+ creativity, culture and community. Programming will include the Indie Room, a seated Acoustic Space, the Electronica Basement, the outdoor “Groove is in the Joy” space, an art-house queer film room, and an Arts Lounge featuring queer interviews, talks, avant-garde pop performances, live string quartet and queer wellness offerings.
Founded and curated by a team of LGT curators, including Jamie Irrepressible, along with Manchester scenes’ finest DJ Bollibubbles, DJ Sandra D, Liam Walsh and Sally McFerran – who told Queerguru that “TRUE PRIDE responds to the ongoing underrepresentation of queer artists in mainstream Pride programming. Pride was never meant to be a stage for straight artists performing a version of queerness that feels safe to the mainstream. TRUE PRIDE exists to put LGBTQI+ voices back where they belong: at the centre, speaking for ourselves, creating for ourselves, and refusing to be sidelined. Born from frustration, anger and love, the festival is a call to reclaim Pride as a space that is truly ours — bold, empowering and unmistakably representative of the whole community.”
This first wave of artists includes The Irrepressibles, The Hidden Cameras, DJ Boli Bubbles, Leo Chadburn, DJ Sandra D, Kerry Leigh, Ollie Becker, Run Remedy, Alabaster Queen and Jamie Irrepressible (PA/DJ set). Further artists will be announced in the coming weeks from across the queer community.
Alongside the festival, Of Naked Design has launched the OND Fund for queer songwriters from disadvantaged backgrounds. The no-strings-attached fund will support two UK musicians each year with £2,000 each to use towards creating an EP or single package, funding a UK mini-tour, or staging a launch event, and the successful applicants must be available to perform at TRUE PRIDE on 1 August 2026. The deadline for submissions is 15 May 2026, with the two successful applicants to be announced by 22 May 2026. Applications can be submitted here.”
|
TRUE PRIDE takes place at Hidden, 16–18 Mary Street, Manchester M3 1NH. The festival is presented by Of Naked Design and is strictly for ages 18 and over. Saturday 1 August 2026
Tickets are on sale now via DICE. Early Bird tickets are priced at £22.71 for students, disabled people and unemployed attendees, and £28.38 for General Admission.
Tickets: https://link.dice.fm/Zd4a812d2782
Website: www.truepride.official Instagram: @truepridefestival |
Leave a Reply