Rochdale in Rainbows presents Pride

Rochdale in Rainbows is a partnership of organisations that come together to plan the borough’s Pride activities.

History

The first Rochdale in Rainbows presents Pride took place in 2019. This was the first publicly celebrated Pride in the borough.

Unfortunately, due to coronavirus (COVID-19), an event didn’t take place in 2020. However, for 2021 the Rochdale in Rainbows members planned a mixture of online and in-person events.

Highlights of past events

Highlights of past events include:

  • The first ever Rochdale in Rainbows Pride parade was held on Saturday, 13 July 2024 outside Rochdale Town Hall.
  • The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and others (LGBTQ+) progress flag was raised in each Township and by partners including Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Greater Manchester Police (GMP). Members of Rochdale in Rainbows made the decision to use the progress flag going forward, as it places a greater emphasis on inclusion and progression. Along with the traditional rainbow, the flag includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized black, Asian and other ethnic minority LGBTQ+ communities, along with the colours pink, light blue and white, which represent our transgender community.
  • Fully booked Drag Queen Storytime sessions in Hare Hill Park for families.
  • A celebration event at Hopwood Hall College.
  • Bingo hosted by The Vegan Queens.
  • Siemens fully funded the installation of gender and sexual orientation crossing lights at 4 sites across the borough.
  • LGBTQ+ groups were able to record their responses to artworks on display at Touchstones in their exhibition, ‘What’s Changed’. 
  • An inclusive church service was hosted by St Clements Church.
  • Rochdale Sixth Form College raised awareness within each department of key influential figures within the LGBTQ+ community. 
  • Hopwood Hall College ran training sessions for their staff during the week.
  • Youth Services and the Proud Trust held successful events for young people including a games night that was held at Touchstones.
  • Libraries across the Borough highlighted books by LGBTQ+ authors or with LGBTQ+ themes.
  • In 2020, in place of a physical launch event, a short launch video went out on social media from the leader of the Council, Councillor Neil Emmott, the portfolio holder of communities and cooperative, Councillor Susan Smith and the chief executive for Rochdale Council, Steve Rumbelow, highlighting the values of the organisation and year-round support for the LGBTQ+ community.
  • LGBTQ+ Adviser to the Greater Manchester Mayor, Carl Austin-Behan supported the 2020 week with short videos to explain the history of Pride, the importance of local Pride events and reiterated year-round support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Members of Rochdale in Rainbows

The members of Rochdale in Rainbows are made up of local organisations including:

  • Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
  • Greater Manchester Police
  • Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group
  • Rochdale Borough Council
  • Rochdale Football Club
  • Rochdale Sixth Form College
  • The LGBT Foundation
  • Rochdale Sixth Form College
  • Carl Austin-Behan, the LGBTQ+ adviser to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham
  • The Proud Trust
  • Touchstones Rochdale
  • Your Trust
  • Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust

Email rainbows@rochdale.gov.uk to get involved or for more details.