With the Pride summer calendar coming to a close it was time for Wolverhampton to bring it! Wolves Pride was first unleashed on this West Midlands city in 2012 so I wasn't going to judge, its staggering to think that the whole value of Gay Pride has been transformed into a cash cow but let me finish. Set up in all of its rainbow design the Community Stalls brought a sense of simplicity to the LGBT focused event, can you see what I'm trying to express? Ranging from information from the University of Wolverhampton, advice stalls from the Terrance Higgins Trust right through to the sweet treats of 'Sally's Sweet Oasis' a mix bag of local faces served the event with a purpose. My most recent Pride was back in May 2014 in Birmingham, a Pride weekend that's been going for seventeen years so I looked at Wolves Pride from a neutral point of view, plus its my home city so we support our own! Wolves let us be proud! Who do you think you are? I thought I knew Wolverhampton before the 27th of September 2014 but something changed for the better, in one way I was happy to be known as a Yam Yam and that's not easy for me to admit. I suppose Wolves Pride 2014 made me realize that it's OK to be from Wolverhampton? Thankfully there was a trusty burger van within the Community Stalls area, I was hungry! Whatever's said about the Black Country its been a tough road for our communities due to the recession, but we all love a bit of rainbow power even if you can't admit it! My university days might be over but it was great to see the Birmingham LGBT network present at their respected stall, I promise to stay away from the Birmingham Pride hype. Was it your first Wolves Pride? I had been in contact with Martha Bishop, the Manager of LGBT Network Wolverhampton to see about publishing a blog about the event. The level of communication was ace, I appreciated that to the hills and back again! Yes WV!
The clock struck 1pm, initiating the beginning of the Wolves Pride 2014 March through the streets of Wolverhampton. Beginning from the Main Stage area in Fold Street around the city center the procession made their way with some serious color and vibrancy! Leading the way was the 'Someone At The Door' samba group, followed by LGBT Network Wolverhampton who are the driving force for LGBT awareness in Wolves. Like any fabulous Pride March the famous rainbow flags fluttered proudly within the procession. Gorgeous Club showed their support for the cause as well as Wolverhampton Homes representing their division. The key part of the March was that everyone believed in the cause, raising the awareness of our modern day fight for equality. After my Dissertation I don't agree with the term 'LGBT' because its a sweeping statement that categories a margin of people, I don't want to be identified by the G!The size of the Pride March matched the progression of the event, in its third year Wolves Pride 2014 had an energy that gave the onlookers hope for the future impact of this Wolverhampton Pride event. It didn't cost the earth to be part of Wolves Pride, for only £5.00 I was able to contribute to the Wolverhampton's LGBT Network and have a great day and night. Many Pride events nowadays make the best of the Pink pound but I didn't get that feeling because you didn't have to be a scene queen to be a part of the hype on Fold Street. People do complain about parting with their cash to attend a community event but the origin of Pride hones back to the days of the 'L.G.S.M' where funds were collected through the hard work of the Lesbian and Gay activists during the Miner's Strike of the 1980's so bare in mind that its not all about the sparkle and campery or the booze because Pride always has a cause. Wolves Pride served true realness during the March, walking together proudly for Wolves!
Come join the party! I heard it through the grapevine that the Main Stage at Wolves Pride would be welcoming X-Factor's Lucy Spraggan to headline the event that night. Welcomed by important faces from Wolverhampton City Council opened the show, local MP's spoke their words but I'm not one for politics. Wolves Pride had nerve, built from humble beginnings to now host a formidable Pride celebration, I was proud! Packed to the brim with music acts from across the region it was a celebration! Drag duo Glitter Lips opened the festivities, I hadn't seen anything quite like it! Drag sensation Sandra graced the stage with her razor sharp sense of humour, damn you watershed! Local songstress Jenny James sang her heart out! Little Jack and Love Beats Riot worked it as well! Who needs pop royalty or a money hungry diva, Wolves stands above! Another pint of Cider please? This Pride lark is thirsty work! Yes!Vois smashed their set, boy they have some talent! Above all I loved seeing the progressive acts because like the event they are all on a journey, fighting for the next level of their careers. Fresh from the Big Smoke had to be Baga Chipz, queen of the battered sausage who originally hails from Wednesbury! After seeing Baga on London Live's Drag Queens of London I couldn't wait to see her candidly honest set at Pride. Baga performed her set wearing a scantly clad Union Jack top, she represented her region with a strong drink in hand! That's our girl Baga Chipz! What Pride was best? NYC, Birmingham or Wolverhampton? That's a tough question because Wolves Pride served urban realness in its city center location, I have to hold the torch for my home city to support a growing event that showed me a bostin' day! Wolves Pride, I have faith and wish you every success for future endeavors. Oh, I forgot to mention that the Bond Street Tavern complimented my experience. Wolves, you've got to have Pride!
Wolves Pride 2015 is next!
Joseph Harrison
