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In pictures: Cambridge Pride brings rainbow of colours to Jesus Green




Cambridge Pride took place on Jesus Green on Saturday (July 9) - and proved to be a riot of colour.

Focused on community, inclusivity and celebration, it aimed to “break down barriers that face LGBT+ people and celebrate LGBT+ life in Cambridgeshire”.

Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57869986)
Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57869986)

It was the second Cambridge Pride event to be held, following the inaugural festival in 2019.

Sponsored by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), it featured drag queens, comedians, bands, community workshops and dancing - with a host of colourful costumes.

Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57869984)
Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57869984)
Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57870016)
Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57870016)
Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57870014)
Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57870014)

The free event began at noon, with activities across a main stage, youth and family tent, a community hive and a dance area.

The Commonwealth Games baton arrived as part of its tour, with the baton team taking laps of Jesus Green.

Queen's Baton relay, arrives at Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57869103)
Queen's Baton relay, arrives at Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57869103)

Paul Hyde-Clarke, chair of the Pink Festival, the charity which delivers Cambridge Pride, said: “Pride is a statement and a movement that needs to be ongoing. Although we could say society has improved since I came out in the 1990s, being open about your gender or sexuality can still come with challenges and a lasting effect even today.

Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57870005)
Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57870005)
Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57870000)
Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57870000)

“People are at risk just for being themselves, and just shouldn’t be. Pride is a brilliant way of giving everyone the confidence to celebrate and be proud of the fact that we are all different and valid.

Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57869993)
Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57869993)

“It’s so important to celebrate our communities in a way that is safe. In 2020 that simply wasn’t possible to do. This year we’re taking every step we can to ensure our communities are safe to attend and celebrate together.”

Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57869999)
Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57869999)

Prof Roderick Watkins, vice chancellor of ARU, said: “At ARU we are committed to celebrating our diversity and promoting equality and inclusion. We are delighted to be supporting Cambridge Pride this year.”

Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57869997)
Pride Festival on Jesus Green . Picture: Keith Heppell. (57869997)

The event marked 50 years since the UK’s first Pride march.

Look out for further coverage in this week‘s Cambridge Independent, out from Wednesday (July 13).



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