Darlington Market Square was turned into a party square today as the town hosted its Pride Weekender.
Hordes of people bearing rainbow flags, face paint and glitter descended on the town centre to enjoy an afternoon of live music and entertainment.
The celebrations kicked off with a parade around the town centre followed by a day of live music including tribute acts to Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa who got the crowds going.
Ferryhill drag queen Tess Tickle helped compere the celebrations and made an impassioned speech onstage about the importance of Pride events for celebrating diversity and enabling people to be their true selves.
David McMaster was among those enjoying the event after travelling from Stockton for the afternoon.
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He said: “It’s a really good atmosphere, everybody seems happy and are enjoying it and it’s nice to see lots of families out as well.”
Teresa Andow, who recently moved to Northallerton from Bristol, attended the event with her partner and said: “We came to Darlington especially for Pride.
“I came out later in life and it’s nice for the younger ones now to be able to be themselves, it is really good.”
Mx Drag England 2022 finalist Lavender Love said: “It’s just nice to be back at Pride, they are incredibly important especially in the North East where we have lots of small towns, it’s nice to see people from all these small communities celebrating Pride and who we are.”
Hairdresser Jonathan Law who owns Hair By Jonathan Law on Coniscliffe Road, said he popped to the event whilst his girlfriend was getting her nails done in Darlington town centre.
He said: “I’ve worked with a lot of people in the Pride community and I have got a lot of friends in it as well.
“You go back years ago and you wouldn’t get the likes of Graham Norton and Alan Carr on the television, people were expected to speak and act in a certain way.
“Everything has changed and that helps because it makes the group of prejudiced people smaller and the rest of us stronger which is important if you’re going to move on in society.”
As well as the live music, there were plenty of stalls from businesses and organisations supporting Pride.
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All the emergency services were represented at the event and County Durham and Darlington Fire Service’s divisional manager Justin Parry said: “I think it is extremely important that we are here to support this event to help ensure it’s a success for Darlington.
“We’ve come every year and it is really good to see it that it’s improving and getting bigger year on year.
“Ultimately we’re here as well to show that we’re an inclusive employer and LGBT-friendly.”
Darlington’s Pride celebrations continue tomorrow (Sunday, August 14) with a Pride in the Park picnic and family-friendly activities in South Park from 11am.
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