Cornwall Pride back in Truro, for first time in SIX years
The city is celebrating our LGBTQ+ community on Saturday 27th August
Last updated 27th Aug 2022
Cornwall Pride is returning to Truro for the first time in six years, with a raft of celebrations.
The event to celebrate the Duchy's LGBTQ+ community will kick off with a march through the city on Saturday 27th August.
It will begin from Victoria Gardens at 12pm and end at Lemon Quay for the main events, that will take place between 12.45pm and 8pm. It will welcome walkers, walking bands, dance groups, organisations, and other supporting charities.
Chief Exec of Cornwall Pride, Matthew Kenworthy Gomes, wants to spread the message of "be who you want to be, love who you want to love".
He said: "Again, it's not just about the LGBTQ+ community, it's about everyone being able to understand and share that message within ourselves and outwardly for everyone.
"The last few years have been such, such a challenge that to have something so inspirational that's about love is something we could all do with".
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pride in the UK, and 15 years since Cornwall’s first Pride.
Matthew added: "This year we dared to venture and achieve something that would have seemed impossible just a few years back, launching 11 Prides across our Duchy and bringing pride directly to you.
"Thus far, the community prides have been well-received amongst Cornwall's LGBTQ+ community, extending to our wider communities.
"These community prides have established a safe space for individuals to come and celebrate their right to be themselves, especially when pride hasn’t always been accessible to the wider community due to our rurality".
He continued: "We would like to announce that we will be rebranding the Truro Pride event as 'Cornwall Pride', rescheduling this event to the 27th of August 2022. Cornwall Pride will be hosted in Lemon Quay, an acknowledgement of Cornwall Pride’s history being previously hosted in Truro before moving to Newquay in 2017".
What will Cornwall Pride include?
The main event will take place directly in Lemon Quay between 12:45pm and 8pm, including live performances and a variety of stalls and a licensed bar area, all whilst promoting active conversations and promoting a safe and inclusive, family-friendly space for everyone.
After the march/parade and main entertainment events, there will be a series of 'Moonbow Partner Parties' well into the evening.
You can find a full breakdown of events and more information about the 2022 Cornwall Pride on its official website or the Cornwall Pride Facebook page.
Support from Cornwall's NHS
This year, Cornwall Pride is sponsored and supported by NHS organisations in Cornwall.
Their statement says: "Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Cornwall Partnership Foundation NHS Trust, and the newly formed Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board are proud to be working together to sponsor and support Cornwall Pride CIO, to mark 50 years of Pride in the United Kingdom, and 15 years of Pride in Cornwall.
"The LGBTQ+ community were disproportionally affected by the impact of lockdowns and social distancing, exacerbating an already higher instance of mental ill health.
"Cornwall Pride CIO support several community projects to address health inequalities, particularly around mental ill health and wellbeing. These projects seek to provide additional ways for people to access mental health support, easing the pressure on local NHS acute and mental health services.
"By taking a collaborative approach to supporting the charity, the three organisations can share resources, connections and learning with their own teams and each other to ensure maximum benefit for the wider Cornish community.
"This year, our focus has been on promoting the 'Think NHS 111 First' message, promoting the NHS as an inclusive place to work, and addressing inequalities in the community.
"We will be in Truro (Lemon Quay) on Saturday 27th August, so please stop by and say hello!"