Reading Pride is an annual

LGBT ' is an initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. In use since the 1990s, the initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity. The LGBT term ...

+ event held in

Reading, Berkshire Reading ( ) is a town and borough in Berkshire, Southeast England, southeast England. Located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the rivers River Thames, Thames and River Kennet, Kennet, the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 mot ...

, England, that serves the lesbian,

gay ''Gay'' is a term that primarily refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. The term originally meant 'carefree', 'cheerful', or 'bright and showy'. While scant usage referring to male homosexuality dates to the late 1 ...

, bisexual and

transgender A transgender (often abbreviated as trans) person is someone whose gender identity or gender expression does not correspond with their sex assigned at birth. Many transgender people experience dysphoria, which they seek to alleviate through ...

communities of Reading and the

Thames Valley The Thames Valley is an informally-defined sub-region of South East England, centred on the River Thames west of London, with Oxford as a major centre. Its boundaries vary with context. The area is a major tourist destination and economic hub, ...

History

Reading Pride was formed in 2003. 2006 saw the introduction of a parade through Reading's main shopping streets to the festival site. Since 2007, Pride has been a regular annual event at King's Meadow. In 2008, there was an increase of more than 10,500 visitors which raised additional funds, to be used to provide support to a number of local charities and organisations such as BeYou, Gay Berkshire and Thames Valley Positive Support. Since 2009, Reading Pride has added new attractions, including live performance stages, a VIP area, alternative performance enclosures, "chill-out" areas, a Youth Zone and Karaoke.

Aims of the Charity

Reading Pride aims to promote equality and education in relation to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Asexual (LGBTA) people. Reading Pride works for the community in Reading and around the Thames Valley. By staging an annual parade and festival the charity strives to raise awareness on issues affecting LGBTA persons. Throughout the year the Reading Pride also supports other charitable and voluntary organisations within the community. In 2015 Reading Pride helped launch MyUmbrella, a Reading-based charity representing lesser-known LGBT+ identities.

The Parade

The first Reading Pride parade was held in 2006 and was jointly organised by The Wynford Arms. The Wynford Arms made a Rainbow Flag for the parade participants to carry from The Wynford Arms to King's Meadow. In the years since, the Reading Pride Parade has started from Civic Offices and the number of people taking part in the parade has grown year on year. In 2012 over 500 people participated. * Regular Parade Route * The Reading Pride Parade starts at 11am at the Civic Offices, travels along Broad Street, Market Place,

Forbury Gardens Forbury Gardens is a public park in the town of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. The park is on the site of the outer court of Reading Abbey, which was in front of the Abbey Church. The site was formerly known as the Forbury, and one ...

and ends at King's Meadow around 12pm.

The Organisation

Reading Pride was founded in 2003. It is a registered charity (number 1119891) run solely by volunteers, aiming to promote equality and diversity in relation to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Asexual ( LGBTA) people in Reading and across the Thames Valley. Reading Pride is best known for the annual LGBTA Pride festival held every summer. Reading Pride volunteers work throughout the year to raise funds both for the annual Pride festival and for the community. The team also works to increase public awareness of other charitable and voluntary organisations in the local area that provide information, advice and support on a breadth of LGBTA issues.

Reading Pride Awards

In 2009, Reading Pride introduced an award ceremony to thank the people that have made a difference to LGBT people in Reading and the Thames Valley. The winners were: * John Woods – Lifetime Achievement Award * Dennis Hambridge – LGBT Campaigner Award * SohoBoyz – LGBT Charity/Business Award * Chris Gibbons / Stonewall – LGBT Impact Campaigner Award * Simon Hallam & Sue Green – Community Campaigner Award

References

* * * * * * * * * * * *http://www.realpride.com/company/3266 * *http://www.activreading.com/community/detail/ReadingPrideRoyale-3402.html * * * * *

External links

Reading Pride website
{{Pride parades Organizations established in 2003 Organisations based in Reading, Berkshire Culture in Reading, Berkshire Recurring events established in 2003 Pride parades in England