Wigan Borough’s hospital trust has been unveiled as the main sponsor of Wigan Pride 2022 as anticipation for the feel-good summer party hots up.
Wigan Pride returns to Wigan town centre next month with a packed schedule of performances and entertainment.
Long-term supporters Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) are the headline sponsors this year, promoting the strong message of equality, diversity and inclusion.
Paul Howard, WWL’s director of corporate affairs and executive sponsor for LGBTQIA+ Inclusion, said:
“We are incredibly proud to have this tradition of supporting Wigan Pride and to be the first ever headline sponsor.
“We believe everyone is unique, and that our collective personal experiences and the way we embrace diversity amongst our staff helps to shape and enhance the way we provide healthcare for the people of Wigan Borough.”
This year’s Wigan Pride event, which is led NHS Greater Manchester, the LGBT Foundation and local volunteers, along with the council, will take place on Saturday, August 13.
Councillor Laura Flynn, Wigan Council cabinet member for equalities, said:
“Since Wigan Pride began in 2016, it has been a free event. We believe that this is so important, especially as other costs of living continue to rise, to make sure that the event is accessible to anyone who may wish to come along.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to WWL for stepping forward to be this year’s headline sponsor, as by working together with local organisations we can continue to make sure that this important event remains free for everyone to attend.”
Wigan Pride has a serious message at its heart, campaigning for equality, and 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Pride events in the UK.
This year’s Wigan Pride will begin with a community parade where local groups who choose to march and onlookers will be able to celebrate the borough’s LGBTQ+ community.
Chair of Wigan Pride Committee, Scott Williams, said:
“Alongside Pride’s important serious messages, this year we also want to offer an event for everyone to enjoy, giving you a chance to party and be together again.
“The last few years have been challenging for almost everyone, so Wigan Pride 22 will have an upbeat 00’s theme with an amazing line up to be announced very soon.
“We want to help make Wigan Pride bigger and better each year so we are incredibly grateful to WWL as their generous contribution will help us to make this possible.”
The Unity Stage, sponsored by WWL, will present a host of professional artists, to be announced soon, whilst the Believe Stage, led by Wigan Council’s youth group for young LGBTQ+ people, BYOU, will offer opportunities for young up and coming singers and musicians to experience performing in front of a live audience.
Mr Howard added:
“It is so important for us to positively influence our communities as it’s our mission to increase diversity and accessibility, eliminate inequality, and improve experiences for protected groups.
“I’ll be there with my family this year as in previous years and we are looking forward to a great day.”