Northern Pride brings thousands to city centre

The Pride march started at Newcastle Civic Centre and passed through the city

A festival celebrating the LGBTQ+ community has brought thousands of people to a city centre for the first time.

The Northern Pride Festival takes place in Newcastle each year but is usually based further out in Exhibition Park and the Town Moor.

This year's theme of "unapologetically visible" aims to bring 80,000 people to stages and events around the city centre.

Northern Pride director, Ste Dunn, said he wanted Newcastle to feel like a "safe space" for everybody.

Pride in the City began on Friday and runs until Sunday, with the main stage based at Central Park, near the Centre for Life.

The stage is hosting performances from drag artists and tribute acts and will even see the crowd join in through "Kroud Karaoke".

Other events are taking place at Northern Stage, Grey's Monument and Market Village in Old Eldon Square.

Ste Dunn, Northern Pride director, says he wants everyone to feel welcome in Newcastle city centre

The annual Pride march earlier saw hundreds of people walk from the civic centre through to Northumberland Street and Grey Street before winding back through the city.

Northern Pride said the festival had been designed to highlight the valuable impact the LGBTQ+ community had on society.

Mr Dunn said he was proud many of the community's allies also took part in the festival.

"What we are trying to do here is really fight for our rights," he said.

"There are so many injustices and challenges that we are having as a community and we can't do it on our own."