Long standing partners and new business showed their support for Northern Pride today (Thursday 27 June).
Businesses came together for the Partners Breakfast hosted at Blackfriars, as a thank you and to celebrate their involvement and support for Pride in the City, presented in partnership with Newcastle NE1. As well as an opportunity to thank supporters, the breakfast saw the launch of some great new additions to this year’s festival.
Pride in the City will kick off with satellite events from 5 July, leading up to the main festival, which will take place over the weekend of 19-21 July, with multiple celebrations and events, including the main stage at Central Park, with impressive live performances.
Nexus, which runs the Tyne and Wear Metro, return as travel and accessibility partner, and together with Northern Pride announce a limited edition ‘Pride Pop Pays As You Go Card’ and free ‘Pride Shuttle Bus’, to support with travel around the city during pride weekend and to ensure that the celebrations remain accessible for those with mobility needs, as well as young and tired legs.
The Pride Pop Card was designed by local multidisciplinary creative designer and visual communicator, Em T Sharp, who was inspired by LGBTQIA+ icons.
Sarah McCourt, Head of Communications, Marketing and Customer Information at Nexus said:
“We are extremely proud to be a partner for Northern Pride and to support what promises to be an incredible city take over for the festival this year. Inclusivity is the cornerstone of our brand, and we want everyone to feel welcome, safe, and free from discrimination whenever they choose to travel with us. We’re delighted to be launching a ‘Pride Pop Card’ and free ‘Pride Shuttle Bus’ to ensure people can get to the city, and around the event with ease.”
Attending the breakfast event were representatives from companies which have supported Northern Pride for a number of years, including partners Newcastle NE1, Curious Arts, Newcastle International Airport, Newcastle City Council, NewcastleGateshead Initiative and BT Group, Morgan Sindall to name just a few.
Train operator Lumo were also in attendance to help launch a new feature for 2024. The Lumo Platform, a performance stage which will be in place at Greys Monument and will feature live entertainment during Saturday’s main day.
Also announced were the two free film screenings that will be on NE1’s Screen on the Green. ‘Strange Worlds’ up first, which is the first Disney movie featuring an out-gay character named Ethan Clade, played by gay comedian Jaboukie Young-White. Later in the day, filmgoers can relax in the famous blue deck chairs at Old Eldon Square to watch teen favourite, ‘Love, Simon’.
Alongside the returning sponsors, the event also welcomed a number of supporters who’ve recently taken the opportunity to become Pride Patrons, including Eldon Square, Sky, Sage, IKEA, Ward Hadaway, Generator NE, Geordie Witch and The Theatre Royal. The Pride Patron campaign is an accessible, all year-round opportunity for business and people to help raise the vital funds needed for Northern Pride to deliver free to access content that fills the festival every year and to support paid work and commissioning opportunities for LGBTQIA+ artists, performers and creatives.
Ste Dunn, Director of Northern Pride, expressed his appreciation for the continued support that has enabled plans for this year’s Pride in the City.
Ste said: “We couldn’t do any of this without the wonderful partners we have here in the North East and further afield, who not only help us to put on a fantastic event for our vibrant and beautiful queer community, but for their insight, time and guidance into what will make an exciting, accessible and safe event in the city.”