MELKSHAM’S first ever Pride Festival will be held this weekend, and organisers are encouraging the whole community to come along and join in the fun.
Entertaining the crowds will be a line-up of local drag queens, an Olly Murs tribute act, a ‘Lipsync for your life’ competition – inspired by hit TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race, a host of stalls, and a number of activities for all ages.
The festival, which will celebrate the local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, takes place this Sunday, 12th June, at the Melksham Assembly Hall, from 10am to 5pm.
And whilst the day is packed full of fun for all the family, the festival is promoting an important message of acceptance and inclusivity within the local community.
Speaking to Melksham News about why Pride events are important, organiser and founder of Proud Melksham, Ryan Clarke said, “Pride can do a lot of things for the LGBT community and it’s an opportunity to celebrate who they are and feel included; and it’s a place for them to meet other people and to learn more about the LGBT community. But at the same time, for people outside the LGBT community, it’s a way for them to learn more, be educated about what it means to be LGBT and encourage acceptance within the community.
“So Pride benefits everybody; and the Melksham Pride Festival will be a great opportunity for the community to learn more, have fun, and celebrate our small local LGBT community.”
And whilst the community has been supportive of the new group, Proud Melksham has experienced some incidents of homophobia, highlighting why the work of the group is needed and why annual Pride events are still needed.
“We have received homophobic comments online, and our posters have been defaced in public places. We often hear from young people that come to our social events that they are being bullied because they are gay.
“This is why Pride is important and why we set up Proud Melksham. We’ve come a long way in society, but there is still a long way to go.”
Ryan set up Proud Melksham last year, organising regular social coffee meetings that gave people an opportunity to meet others and find out more about the support, advice and information available to them.
“We live in a small town, and sometimes as someone who is LGBT, you can feel that there is nobody else around like you,” explained Ryan. “That’s what has been great about our regular coffee meets – people have realised that there are others like them and they are not alone.
“Once you know that there is a community around you it is reassuring – you realise that you have people around you that can support you and get you through anything you are struggling with.
“We can have up to 20 people at the coffee mornings. Some people come every time, some come and go – it doesn’t really matter how many times someone comes, as long as they come once and make a connection and feel like they are not alone. Someone might come once, make a friend and never come back again – but that’s okay, that’s what Proud Melksham is there for, to help others meet people, socialise, and bring people out of their shells.”
About what people can look forward to at the Pride Festival this weekend, Ryan said, “We have around 20 stalls for people to explore – stalls from local businesses, charities and organisations – some selling items, others promoting the work that they do in the community. Swindon & Wilts Pride will also be joining us at the event with their own stall!
“In our Youth Zone, Project SEMH will be showcasing the work they do with young people in the community, as well as running activities to help boost young people’s confidence. There will also be activities including face painting, balloon animals and LGBT+ themed storybooks.
“We have a coffee social area, so people can take a rest and chat/meet new people from the community.
“All day you can enjoy entertainment on our main stage, including our legendary drag stars, Dixie Normous and her cabaret show, and Annie Kadabraa’s magic show! You can sign-up to ‘Lipsync for your life’ in our Drag Race-inspired contest, and close out the day with the incredible Jack Stuckey and his tribute show, the Olly Murs Experience!
“I am very excited and nervous for this weekend – it’s such a big deal as we have never had Pride in Melksham before. I started planning this in September and I’ve been waiting and waiting for the day to arrive, and now it’s finally here – it’s overwhelming! Everyone is invited, dress big, dress bright, dress bold. Pride is about celebrating what makes you unique, together we can make a difference.”
Tickets for Melksham Pride Festival will be available on the door, at £3 for adults and free for those who are 16 and under. All money raised by the event goes towards the continued operation of Proud Melksham and hosting further events.
