Manchester Pride launches Youth Pride event – for those aged 14 upwards – for the first time

The first ever Youth Pride event is to take place as a new element to this year’s Manchester Pride festival.

Youth Pride MCR will be a free-to-attend event for young LGBT+ people aged 14 and over which will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend as part of the annual Pride celebrations. It has been developed through engagement with young people from across Greater Manchester.

Now, details have been announced about what to expect from the inaugural Youth Pride MCR, including live music, drag performances, make-up tutorials, arts and crafts and discussions.

The event is due to take place from Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August at one of Manchester’s newest venues, YES – a fully accessible, private event space on Charles Street. Located 320m from the Gay Village and minutes from the parade route, Youth Pride MCR will be take place across both the venue’s pink room and basement area.

Youth Pride MCR will be made up of two different elements over the course of two days, to be called Free Yourself, Know Yourself.

Saturday is Free Yourself. The first day will commence with all Youth Pride MCR attendees walking the parade together for the first time. Then all will be led to YES for an afternoon of fun with DJs, Vogue workshops, post parade partying and special guests.

For those who want to step away from the partying, guests can visit the quiet zone, where attendees can partake in quiet games, a sensory area and mental health discussion.

Sunday’s theme for Youth Pride MCR is Know Yourself. Commencing with an unwinding yoga session and taking a moment to reflect, the culturally rich programme will begin. The day consists of author talks, acting workshops, and a drag how-to workshop, and representatives from youth charities will be in attendance.

Youth Pride MCR attendees will be learning screen printing, cross stitching, dancing and contributing to art pieces. The basement will again play host to the quiet zone, film screenings and meditation sessions.

Throughout the weekend there will be non alcoholic drinks on offer, pizza from Playboy Pizza which includes their famous vegan option, and a glitter stand to get everybody glittering. The Pink Room and Quiet Zone are encouraged to be a space for young people only but parents can enjoy the roof terrace or bar if they wish to wait within the venue.

Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, said “We’re thrilled to be holding the first ever Youth Pride MCR this year as part of the Manchester Pride Festival celebrations. The event has been developed through engagement with young people from across Greater Manchester.

“Over recent months, we’ve been in talks with those who want to be involved in shaping these new and exciting events, and a separate youth event was what our audience asked for and what we felt they needed. We’re committed to constantly innovating Manchester Pride Festival in order to remain relevant and in tune with what LGBT+ people in Greater Manchester tell us they want from their celebration.”

For anyone who would like to express their interest in attending Youth Pride MCR 2019, you can register your interest here.

Manchester Pride Festival, which takes place over four days in Manchester city centre every August Bank Holiday (this year 23rd to 26th August), will be made up of six key elements in 2019, Manchester Pride Live, the Candlelit Vigil, the Superbia Weekend, the Gay Village Party, Manchester Pride Parade and Youth Pride MCR.

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