Pride organisers hope for 'joy and solidarity'

Performances will take place at Colchester's Firstsite gallery

The organiser of a city's Pride said the day will be about "queer joy and queer solidarity".

Colchester Pride returns on Saturday. Events include a procession through the high street at 10:40 BST, followed by entertainment on indoor and outdoor stages.

More than one thousand tickets have already been sold for the celebration, which is at the Firstsite gallery in Lewis Gardens.

"I am so proud of the city and community I am a part of," said Ben Powell, one of the organisers.

He said it had taken nearly a year to set up Colchester Pride, and the hope is it will be "bigger and better".

Mr Powell, said: "Pride falls under three things: it's commemorating the past, where we've been and where we've come from; celebrating where we are now; and planning and hoping and looking to the future - to how we can further ensure that everyone feels comfortable and safe in themselves to be who they are and live how they are."

Ru Paul's Drag Race UK contestant Just May will be "bringing the spice and bringing the camp" to 2024's Colchester Pride

Ru Paul's Drag Race UK series four contestant Just May will be performing on the main stage on Saturday afternoon.

They said: "I'm actually originally an Essex girl, but I went to school in Colchester and when I left for university I went back once since, so this will be a proper homecoming to come and do Pride."

Just May will be joined by other previous contestants including Pixie Polite, Baby and Elektra Fence.

They added: "When I was at school there was nothing. I think there was one gay bar next to Colchester train station.

They said although "old-school gay bars" may no longer be there, the community was "thriving".

Colchester Pride 2024 is at Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, from 11:00 BST to 19:00 BST.