Manchester celebrated its trans, non-binary and genderqueer communities at the annual Sparkle Weekend event, which took place over 12-14 July.
Ahead of this year’s Manchester Pride, Sparkle provided trans and enbie folks with a safe space to express themselves. The location was Manchester’s Gay Village, a popular LGBTI hub in the city.
A bigger and better Sparkle Weekend
This year’s three-day event, organized by prominent trans charity Sparkles, saw an increase in attendance.
‘There was a significant increase in visitor numbers,’ Sparkles Vice Chair Lee Clatworthy told GSN.
The free-to-attend festival also featured live music, performances and face painting.
‘Feedback from the 2019 Sparkle Weekend has so far been overwhelmingly positive,’ Clatworthy added.
‘It really is an honour to organize an event which has a positive impact on such a marginalized community and, in turn, gives us a platform from which to advocate for further understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of gender non-conforming individuals in business, education, and the public sector.’
Trans people, enbies and cis allies at Sparkle
Sparkle also saw the trans community coming together with cis allies.
‘This year’s Sparkle Weekend has been a resounding success, with around a 25% increase in visitor numbers,’ Chair of Trustees Jay Crawford said.
‘People from all walks of life, those within the trans, non-binary/genderfluid and intersex community, and our allies from wider society, have come together to celebrate gender diversity and send a resounding message that trans is not a choice, transphobia is.’
See also
When is Pride? Check out our International Pride Calendar
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Trans actor Miles McKenna deadnamed at panel by The Trevor Project
