Dumfries’ LGBTQ+ community will launch their month long programme for Dumfries Pride 2023 today (Saturday) with a launch event at Lochside gala. Representatives from Dumfries Pride will be attending the gala with copies of the programme, and there will be the chance to contribute a message of love and support to a banner which the Lochside community can carry at the Pride rally at the end of the Pride activity calendar.
The programme, which spans activity between July 08th and August 12th, builds on the success of last year’s Pride and will see the return of the iconic masquerade ball in Chancers nightclub, with the addition of a Pride rally and street party on Dumfries High St. on Saturday August 12th. There will be screenings of Queer cinema, performances from leading drag performers in local venues, and interactive Queer history experiences to name just a few of the events planned for Dumfries Pride 2023.
Speaking about the upcoming programme, an organiser for Dumfries Pride said:
“We are delighted to bring Pride back to Dumfries in 2023 following the amazing success of last years’ event and a real emotional show of support from the whole community.
“Dumfries feels like an authentic inclusive community, and highlighting this couldn’t be more important in the current climate. At a time when anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment is sadly rising, we appreciate that pride is more important than ever; both for LGBTQ+ people living locally, and for inviting our straight allies to celebrate shoulder to shoulder with us.
“Our programme this year brings back many of the highlights of last year including drag, queer cinema, heritage events, and our masquerade ball. We are also pleased to announce more of a youth programme this year with Pride Saturday incorporating youth events, a young people’s Pride afterparty, and chill-out spaces throughout the day.”
Dumfries Pride is a volunteer led activist movement comprising local LGBTQ+ people and their allies. The programme is entirely funded due to the generous donations of local individuals and businesses. A full list of sponsors is listed on the programme.
