Pride fringe festival returns with a roller-disco

Pride Roller Disco returns on Saturday, 27 June at Suffolk New College

A Pride festival will host four weeks of events this June including a vigil, poetry performances and a roller-disco.

Suffolk Pride 2025 is billed as a month-long fringe festival rather than a single day of activities or a march.

Kate Lankester, the group's press officer, said: "Suffolk Pride is passionate about providing safe spaces for the local LGBTQIA+ community.

"We work in collaboration with local businesses, organisations, and charities to foster the inclusivity and diversity that makes our county unique, and to improve overall wellbeing for queer people."

The 2024 Pride Blooms event included a vigil on the steps of Ipswich Town Hall

The fringe starts with Pride Blooms on Saturday, 31 May at 19:00 BST on the Cornhill where people are asked to bring flowers to "remember those in our community who are no longer with us, who came before us and who paved the way".

It will be followed by a march through town. Other events include:

• In-person board gaming

• Pride Roller-Disco

• Poetry and spoken word night

• A youth takeover

• A wellbeing walk

The full programme is here.

A previous Queer Life Drawing session run by the Liminal Gaze Collective

Another event is a Queer Life Drawing session on Sunday, 15 June at Chip Studios in Ipswich.

It is run by the Liminal Gaze Collective who host monthly "untutored and non-hierarchical" meetings.

Artist Alex said: "Pride is a celebration of our diversity, our strength and resilience.

"To have Pride is to recognise the struggles of the past and to stand in the present shoulder to shoulder with those of us who are still struggling, and to dream of a future where every member of our community is liberated.

"Creative community spaces offer us a chance to trial possible futures and establish safer spaces where everyone is welcome to dream, create, learn and connect.

"In these spaces we can be our authentic selves, inspire and encourage others in our community, share knowledge, resources and make lasting friendships."

Suffolk Pride flyers for 2025 have been printed as receipts to minimise environmental impact

Earlier this year the UK Supreme Court ruled that under the Equality Act, "woman" means a biological woman.

Following the ruling, trans people have spoken about their fears over how it might affect their legal rights and access to facilities, along with concerns that it may have emboldened those in society with transphobic views.

Several arts organisations in Suffolk, including the New Wolsey Theatre, have since posted public statements affirming their support for trans people.

Its artistic director Douglas Rintoul said: "As a theatre rooted in its community, we are committed to being a welcoming and inclusive space for all.

"We are particularly mindful of the trans community in light of the recent Supreme Court ruling, and we want to reaffirm our unwavering support."