The thirteenth Norwich Pride is coming up on the 31st July, so get your rainbow flags out and get ready to celebrate! Here, we chat to Julie Bremner, Founder and Trustee of Norwich Pride, to get the details on everything happening this year, and the history behind this glittering event.
Julie Bremner, Founder and Trustee of Norwich Pride
I am excited that we are holding our 13th celebration of Norwich Pride on 31st July 2021. Like many events, our annual celebration has been amended to reflect the times we live in but due to our creative team, we expect thousands to get involved and ensure we once again turn Norwich into a rainbow.
This year’s Norwich Pride will be presented differently as we have no large march through the city, but there are many ways people can engage and enjoy the event:
Come and find us at Chantry Place to pick up our colourful Pride Guide, and maybe buy a badge or flag. The shop is open 10 – 4pm every day in the week before Pride and on 31st July. Everything you buy from the Pride Shop helps us keep Norwich Pride free and accessible for all.
Many venues, artists and allies are planning to hold events that you can participate in. The full listing is on the Norwich Pride website and includes a Pride Ball at Norwich Arts Centre, ‘There’s Something Queer About Art’ exhibition at Circle Space Gallery on St Augustines Street, films at Cinema City, a rainbow trail around the city and various events at the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, RISE collective art exhibition at Studio 20 on Wensum Street and Hustle boxing fitness workout at The Arena, Avian Way. Plus check out the local LGBT+ pubs and clubs for their events.
Pride at Home is an opportunity for you to rainbow up your houses and get your family involved in activities, such as the Pride colouring book.
Norwich Pride presents a full day of activities lined up from 10-4pm including a Rainbow Baking Cookery Class, Cocktail Class Virtual March, Question Time, Pride Show, Dragster challenge and Degeneration Game. Check out the live-stream on our website and Facebook page to get involved.
When the first Norwich Pride took place in 2009, I was nervous whether we could create an event in the city centre that people would connect with. Since then, we have faced some criticism and adversity from some corners, but that just makes us stronger and more determined to continue to deliver a fantastic free and family-friendly event that everyone can participate in. We continue to try and use our influence campaign for the positive progression of LGBT+ rights such as ensuring conversion therapy will be banned, that we show solidarity and listen to our Trans and BAME LGBT+ communities.
A rainbow flag at a Norwich Pride parade. Credit Roo Pitt.
We continue to engage with a wide range of local organisations to try and ensure all spaces are welcoming and LGBT+ inclusive. We launched a Norwich Pride Pledge in 2020 that asks our allies not just to show support for Norwich Pride but to embed changes in their organisations to ensure ‘a safe, welcoming and friendly place for LGBT+ customers and staff.’
I am very proud to have been involved with Norwich Pride since the beginning, and to see how it has grown and developed over the years. Our annual Question Time event ensures we continue to debate the current ideas and concerns the LGBT+ community faces, and how we can collectively overcome these.
Our vision to turn Norwich into a rainbow was a simple but powerful one, and it has lasted the test of time. I know that the presence of Norwich Pride has made people in the LGBT+ community feel more positive about living here and I hope it ensures LGBT+ people of all ages feel confident to be themselves.
One of the moments that always brings a tear to my eye is when the Norwich Castle raised a rainbow flag during the day on the first ever Norwich Pride in 2009. We didn’t think it was possible but it really made us feel the city was ours.
Norwich Castle celebrates Norwich Pride. Credit Roo Pitt.
I hope as many people as possible join in our celebrations this year! Why not take a selfie of yourselves with the glittery Prideasaurus on the GoGoDiscover T.rex sculpture trail outside The Forum? Share it with us @NorwichPride
Norwich Pride will take place on July 31st 2021, where there will be a range of online events and events around the city on offer.
For more information visit www.norwichpride.org.uk
