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Manchester Pride 2005-27 to 29 August 2005 An annual event in Manchester to celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Life, it is hailed as the biggest event of its type in Europe. This was the second year that the RAF had participated in both the Lifestyle Expo and Parade events:
click photo for full-size image. Further pictures in the gallery Lifestyle Expo. Our attendance this year was similar to the previous year: an indoor stand for the three days of the event, manned by two recruiters at a time from the NW/NW Area. This year the Life Style Expo was over subscribed and space limited to exhibitors. The Expo was attended by the Army who were positioned in the stand next to us, Greater Manchester and Yorkshire Police, Ambulance Service, Amnesty International, Barclays Bank, The Royal Bank of Scotland, Age Concern and a plethora of associated Gay & Lesbian organisations. Open from 1000 - 2000 each day the days ran similar to last year. Staff commented how much they had enjoyed manning the stand and they reported having received some very positive comments from the public. This year we had an increase in positive enquirers for all Support Trades and Branches. Both days started quite slowly but became quite busy as the day progressed. Again the stand was visited by serving RAF personnel at all ranks levels; giving congratulations for our attendance at the event with the offer of assistance for future Prides. It was estimated we had in the region of a 45,000 attendance on each of the three days.
click photo for full-size image. Further pictures in the gallery The Parade. The profile of the RAF was increased this year by using the RAF Float for the parade. This was manned by NW/NW Area staff and RAF volunteers including I of R(RAF), Gp Capt Dawn McCafferty, in trade specific dress. Over 77 entrants participated in the two mile parade with the RAF positioned within the first few floats of the procession and the Army following directly behind. The crowds lined the route from the very start of the parade this year unlike last year and the RAF personnel on the float seemed very relaxed in the atmosphere. It was evident everyone was enjoying themselves because of their interaction with the crowds, this year we passed out RAF sweets (with the new LOG O) to crowds. It is understood that over 250,000 people lined the route this year and all pedestrian areas seemed to be filled to capacity. People from all walks of life and backgrounds gave a fantastic reception to the float by clapping and cheering as we passed. It was astonishing how we were so readily accepted by all the people in Manchester. This article was originally published in the Royal
Air Force Equality and Diversity Newsletter Autumn 2005. page: Royal Air Force ::
2005rafmancspride.htm |
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