Pride organisers say it will be 'biggest yet'

Peter Darrant, chair of Out North East, with Sunderland council leader Graham Miller and other supporters at the launch of Pride in Sunderland

The organisers of a month-long festival have promised that the itinerary of events is set to be their "biggest yet".

Pride in Sunderland is being celebrated throughout June, coinciding with International Pride Month ,which takes place around the world.

The festival was recently taken over by the charity Out North East.

Chair Peter Darrant said: "It's about showing Sunderland is a great place to live and work, however you identify."

"There's going to be about 28 events in total, we've been given a shop in the Bridges Shopping Centre which is going to be the Pride hub for the whole month and there's an exhibition, there's crafting and there's workshops all happening there," he explained.

"Across the month we've got film screenings, talks, tours round Sunderland football club, cabaret nights and a family picnic with crafting for the kids.

"It all works up to the 29th of June when we do our march through the city and a free concert, it's going to be huge, our biggest yet" he added.

Films, talks and tours

Sunderland council leader Graeme Miller said it was "about having fun while celebrating equality and diversity".

"It will be a celebration of our LGBTQ+ community and its allies but there are opportunities for everyone to get involved," he added.

Following Pride in Sunderland, the charity will host similar celebrations in South Tyneside and Gateshead, in July and August respectively.