Bolton Pride is now in it’s second year and the main focus of this years festival is to make the event more visible and to continue promoting a zero tolerance to hate crime. On September 24th 2016 Bolton Pride shall host its first Love Bolton Hate Homophobia parade. The parade shall start at Spa Road at 12pm and then process through the town along Marsden Road and Deansgate before entering Victoria Square where there shall be a free concert at the steps of the Town Hall.

Bolton Pride Ltd are proud to be working with Russel and Russel solicitors, The Venue, Bolton at Home and Be Safe, Bolton Strategic Partnership who are sponsoring the event.

Amanda Connor, head of family law at Russell and Russell Solicitors, said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring this year’s Pride Parade. It’s the very first one and we’re really excited to be joining in the celebrations. We get a lot of enquiries from the LGBT community; anything from starting a family to cohabitation issues to adoption as well as making a will and moving home, so it was a natural choice for us to partner with Bolton Pride. It promises to be a fantastic event that everyone can get involved in and something that Bolton can be really proud of.”  

Bolton at Home are very excited to announce that for the second year running we are supporting Bolton Pride. The event last year was a huge success and this year will prove to be even bigger and better, with the introduction of the parade which takes place on Saturday 24 September 2016, which we are proud to sponsor. - Jon Lord, Chief Executive Officer. Bolton at Home

The parade shall be made up of charity groups, support groups, service providers and local businesses who are going to stand with us to support a zero tolerance to hate crime. The Bolton Pride parade is a perfect way to bring the community together to support Bolton’s LGBT community and to celebrate Bolton’s wonderfully diverse community.

“Having a parade in our second year of Bolton Pride is really important. We are all living in difficult times and the increase in hate crime and fear of others who are different means that more than ever people need opportunities and spaces to come together to share and celebrate what we all have in common, a desire for joy and love.” - Lisa O’Neill Rogan (Bolton Pride co-founder)

Team Bolton Pride have been overwhelmed by the support for the festivals first parade. Many people have donated money via the GoFundMe account including an anonymous donation of £1000. We would like to thank everyone who has supported this project.

We are looking for entries for this year’s parade, do you want to join us? If you are interested in putting a walking entry or small vehicle into the parade please email lisa@boltonpride.com. Entries for the parade must be in by 5pm on September 2nd 2016.

For more information about this year’s Bolton Pride please check the new website www.boltonpride.co.uk