By Rachel June
Pride in Brighton is one of the best days of the year. Everyone flocks to the city to embrace a wonderful weekend of love, colour and celebration. If you were out on Friday night like us, we hope you had as much fun as we did! Friday surprised us this year, with venues across the city packed with brilliant DJs and buzzing crowds. We jumped and spun around at Deadwax before popping into Mash Tun for a crazy dancehall experience.
Under the theme The Power of Love, Saturday kicked off with the legendary parade, as people danced through the streets and filled the city with loving energy. Beyond the music, Pride on the Park continues to celebrate LGBTQIA+ creativity with returning favourites including Legends Cabaret, The Cocoa Butter Club, Queer Town and Party Bag, alongside new additions Bears In The Woods, Queer Soap Box and Outro. You may have found us in Queer Town, buying Dutch pancakes from James and dancing along to some Lady Gaga. It's not Pride without her!
We danced with Armand Van Helden, watched Paris Hilton strut around the stage, saw RAYE beam her beautiful voice across the park, and chatted with strangers as the streets filled with movement, laughter and love. From the parade to the dancefloor, Brighton was absolutely buzzing. Glitter, dancing, big voices and even bigger energy filled the city, reminding us exactly why Pride is one of the best weekends of the year.
Sunday brought Diana Ross, keeping us eagerly awaiting her arrival before finally Coming Out on stage in a big, beautiful coat and shades, singing her heart out like it was effortless. Talk about a Pride entrance. A true icon.
The festival offers a full carnival experience, with death-defying rides including the Waltzers, which had my friend in stitches as I clung on for dear life, praying to God it would end. Safe to say, I will not be returning to the Waltzers. Shudders at the thought.
The best part of Pride is, of course, the music, the people and the purpose. Love beamed from every corner, although admittedly, some areas of town felt quite dangerous as people became more and more intoxicated. Hopefully, Pride continues to be about celebrating love, embracing difference and accepting people for who they are.
We danced with so many strangers and had wonderfully weird encounters, so if you're a stranger to Pride, my advice is this: don't make plans. Let Pride take you on its own journey. Whether you want to head into the festival to see the epic headliners or prefer to party on the streets, Brighton calls you to embrace its best vibe.
Managing Director Paul Kemp said it best:
"Let's celebrate the power of love in all its forms."
We hope you've recovered after an amazing weekend. Stay glittery, stay fabulous, and we'll catch you there next year!
