North East schools to take part in Northern Pride March this weekend

This Saturday, (July 22), Newcastle will see thousands of LGBTQIA+ community members, allies, local people and businesses participate in the annual Pride march across the city centre as part of the Northern Pride celebrations.

It has now been announced that schools and community groups, consisting of young people across the North East will also be taking part in the march, actually leading the colourful display of celebration and remembrance for the LGBTQIA+ community.

The march is marking 20 years since the repeal of Section 28, which prohibited “the promotion of homosexuality”.

Director of Northern Pride, Ste Dunn said: “The legislation, which forbade teachers from even acknowledging the existence of LGBTQIA+ people in the classroom had profound effects on young people at the time, effects which are still being felt today.”

Ste continued: “The march will remember the impact it had at the time, pay homage to those who lived through it and are still experiencing its effects today and rise up against further legislative attempts to undermine the community and our rights to live as we are.”

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Therefore, the driving force behind this year’s march is to highlight the continued struggle of the LGBTQIA+ community, across the world. Northern Pride will be repeating its mission statement of Remember, Resist and Rise Up to highlight the struggles that still exist.

Pupils from Heworth Grange School and Thorpe Academy will be leading this year’s march, alongside young people from community groups Children North East, True Colours Theatre and Diversity Role Models to showcase the struggles that young people from the LGBTQIA+ community face.

The march and the young people participating will be supported by the National Education Union, which was one of the leading forces behind the campaign against Section 28 during the 1980s and 1990s.

The Northern Pride march will end at Newcastle’s Town Moor, where a free Community Village and Festival will be held.