On Wednesday 30th there’s an Adoption and Fostering Information Session at Unison along with Supporting People in the Workplace who are Transitioning and Educating the Educators workshops for people working with young people. In the Black Box there is Christian Voices In Uganda – an evening to explore and discuss the recent ‘Kill the Gays’ bill in Uganda. Fountain Street Bar is also hosting a cabaret night in the form of Cabaret with a Difference. Or you can finish the night in The Black Box which is holding an exciting event called Tenx9 – Labels , a storytelling night where 9 people have up to ten minutes to tell their true story regarding the theme ‘Labels’.
Thursday 31st July is where the events ramps up, with a whopping 8 events for you to sink your teeth into. Highlights include Panti V Homophobia at The MAC where Drag Queen Panti Bliss delivers her speech which went viral, the first and only staging of the wildly entertaining play Live and Love: Lesbian Style at The Black Box and The Big Gay Quiz at Voodoo.
The day before the main event, Friday 1st August sees Literary Lunchtimes at the Ulster Hall focusing on representations of LGBT in contemporary Irish literature, while the University of Ulster Belfast Campus is holding a special LGBT movie night. Or to really get you in the partying spirit 21 Social are holding the Men of the North – Pride Party wit performances from Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh, Britain’s Got Talant stars Bosom Buddies and the fabulous Ladybears of Leeds. However the real event to watch out for is the Belfast Pride Comedy Night at The Black Box featuring comedy from the legend that is Rhona Cameron.
The big day is Saturday 2nd August, with the event that everybody’s waiting for, the Pride Parade which departs from Custom House Square at 12noon. This year the parade has grown so much that the rout has been extended to go along Donegall Street, past the Pride Village and BoomBlock party and turning towards the City Hall, before heading to the Union Street Street party, so it’s sure to be one hell of a show. There’s the Big Pride Day Street Party along Fountain Street complete with BBQ, live music and drinks promos. The Party in the Square at Custom House Square is also bigger and better with performances from Stooshe, Misha B, Kameelion, The Bjorn Identity, Circuit 21 (Robert Brown), Stop Stop Start Again, Glitzy Glamour, Tina Leggs Tantrum, Anna ‘Sexy’ Rexia, Rusty Hinges, Cherrie OnTop and Roxy Tumbledryer. Maverick are holding a special pride party hosted by Willam from RuPaul’s Drag Race, while Taboo presents the Official Pride After Party at Mandella Hall.
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