Pride festival shows people are 'seen and heard'

A vigil was held at Ipswich's Cornhill to launch the festival

Suffolk’s 14-day Pride fringe festival will show people from the LGBTQIA+ community that they are “seen, heard, appreciated, supported”, one of its organisers has said.

A vigil was held on the Cornhill in Ipswich last Friday to mark the start of Suffolk Pride’s fringe festival and the beginning of Pride month.

"This year's ceremony held a feeling of hope," said Kate Lancaster, press officer for Pride.

"The event encompasses all aspects of Suffolk Pride's mantra - protest, wellbeing, celebration and education."

Kate Lancaster and Becki Blackwood said it was important to celebrate the community

Ms Lancaster said mayors from Ipswich, Felixstowe and Diss, as well as "several" town councillors, attended the ceremony.

The fringe festival includes music and comedy nights, crafting events, a wellbeing walk and a youth take over event at The Hold archives office in Ipswich.

"Being a fringe festival means that not all the events are organised by us," said Ms Lancaster.

"We have collaborated with allies and members of the community who also wish to highlight where you can find inclusive, queer-friendly events, venues, and safe spaces in Suffolk.

"This has allowed for most of the events to be free if not affordably priced."

'Law changes'

Ruben Hackett, a photographer living in Ipswich, said he was planning on attending throughout the fortnight.

"Having Pride events in smaller towns like Ipswich is important for the community, to show that we are everywhere," he said.

"Also queer celebrations are important but they are not the only part of Pride.

"Raising issues such as trans healthcare and potential law changes and the rights to exist can be discussed in these spaces."

Coco Brown, who was at the vigil last Friday and is from Ipswich, added: "It really is amazing how far we have come from the clause 28 marches in London and Manchester that I used to go on decades ago."

LGBTQIA+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual and others.

A full programme of the festival events can be found here.