The LGBT+ community-based project known as ‘Stand Out’ is set to host a Burnley Pride parade on Saturday (July 29). 

The day will begin with the parade around Burnley town centre, followed by an event at Burnley Mechanics, on Manchester Road, where there will be performances, activities and information stalls.

It will be hosted by Burnley’s very own Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK contestant ‘Elektra Fence’, who will perform a closing act at the Pride event.

She said: "It’s fantastic to be returning to my hometown to host the Pride event.

"I’m proud of Burnley’s LGBT+ heritage and it’s great to see the next generation bringing the community together to celebrate diversity."

On the main stage there will be live performances by musicians such as Adam Smikle, The Downtown Band and Harley Horsfall, while activities include face painting, badgemaking and T-shirt printing.

Workshops and talks will also be facilitated by LGBT+ historian Paul Fairweather and poet, Clare Shaw.

'Stand Out' is a project by Burnley-based youth led arts organisation Blaze Arts.

The project has been inspired by the meeting held by the Campaign for Homosexual Equality on the 30 July 1971 at Burnley Library, as it was a milestone in the ongoing struggle for LGBT+ rights.

The Young Producers programme at Blaze Arts explored the impacts that the meeting and other significant events had on the progression of the LGBT+ community and their rights.

Earlier this year they interviewed Mike Jackson, one of the founding members of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, who famously raised funds for miners during the strikes in the 1980s and whose story has recently been told in the film Pride.

Originally from Accrington, Mike is returning to East Lancashire to join the Burnley Pride parade and speak at the event.

He said: "In 1985 we led Pride in London standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the mining families of South Wales.

"I feel honoured to be invited to this milestone event. Pride events celebrate our rich diversity and are for everyone. Join us for a Happy Pride!" 

Burnley has a lot of untold LGBT+ history, inspiring the Stand Out team to create their very own Burnley Pride event to commemorate the past, celebrate the present, and help to bring people together as a community.

The parade will start at 2pm on St James’ Street in Burnley and take a circular route down Curzon Street and through Charter Walks.

The parade is free to attend, while ticket doors will open for the main event at Burnley Mechanics Theatre at 3pm (with performances to start on the main stage at 3.20pm). The event will close at 9pm.

Tickets can be purchased here.