Cornwall Pride procession an 'amazing success'
ALMOST 900 people, most dressed for a carnival and carrying flags and banners, took part in the Cornwall Pride procession through Truro on Saturday.
Led by gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell and carrying one of the longest flags ever made in the UK – the 130 foot long rainbow pride flag – the parade made its way from Lemon Quay and down through Boscawen Street to a fair in Victoria Gardens.
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A colourful sheet all but covered Lemon Quay on Saturday.
There was music and plenty of noise, costumes and amazing fancy dress, as the hundreds of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, together with many friends and family supporting them, made an even longer parade than last year's first event of its kind in Cornwall.
Christian Diamant, chairman of Cornwall Pride, said the day had once again been an amazing success."
"Our team worked very hard sewing the flag together, and it looked amazing. It has all been organised by a committee of 12 volunteers and I think we have got over the message that Cornwall is a bright place to live because we have such a diverse selection of people."
Peter Tatchell said the turnout of the Cornish community had been fantastic and he felt the event could get bigger and help tourism by attracting people down for both the parade and to spend a week's holiday.
He had carried a banner calling on the Government to end the ban on same-sex marriage. "Civil partnerships are not equality, they are a form of sexual apartheid, with different laws for gay and straight couples," he said.
The event finished with an entertainment spectacular held in a marquee on Lemon Quay.
For more on this story see Wednesday's Cornish Guardian and Thursday's West Briton and Cornishman.
Click here to see the slideshow.
7 Comments
by Pride in plymouth, Plymouth
Thursday, August 13 2009, 10:10PM
“Well done Cornwall!
Your Pide festival puts Plymouth Pride Event to Shame. They are expecting us to get out of bed to help them carry the flag from one side of Royal Parade to the other. This is no more than 100m yet they promote it as a parade through the city centre.
Plymouth Pride Event are for the 3rd year doing the talk but not the walk!
Don't be fooled by their publicity - supporting Plymouth Pride Event will only boost the ego's of the self appointed trustees. The same people that have delivered a 'closeted' Pride for the past two years.”
by Andrew Baker, Truro
Wednesday, August 12 2009, 12:28PM
“I was proud to walk down the street with my 11 year old son and 10 year old daughter supporting me and their mother. Wonderful day and atmosphere. The evening do was excellent especially Hazel Dean.”
by caroline, saltash
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 2:19PM
“was proud to march with my supportive friends, my sister and my niece. Great event, well done organisers!”
by sailorboy, London
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 9:02AM
“Dean
see you next year petal!!!”
by Dean Wilson, Newquay
Monday, August 10 2009, 6:33PM
“Was a fantastic day! Everyone enjoyed themselves, and as you said there was more people this year than last, hoping for more next year! oh and i like the picture, but you've got my name and location wrong, It's Dean Wilson, and i'm from newquay, not Dean Wills from St. Austell,
Hope to you see you next year, really looking forward to it, many thanks Dean.
Hope to see”
by Ali, Birmingham
Sunday, August 09 2009, 8:13PM
“I was so pleased to be in Truro on Gay Pride day! It was a pleasant surprise and really left me feeling uplifted and proud of the LGBT people of Cornwall.
I was so nice to see many happy faces in these depressing times, even the kids along the route were truly entertained. The colours, and the carnival atmosphere was fantastic. Thanks guys and Girls for making what was going to be a mundane day shopping so much more enjoyable.”
by Ryan Cleminson, Bournemouth
Sunday, August 09 2009, 4:56PM
“As the regional spokesperson for the Green party on lgbt issues I have to say the organisers of the event should be extremely proud of what they acheived. I and the local Cornish Green Party enjoyed the event. Well done Truro”