Loud and proud
Date published: 27 July 2009
Chefs push five sections of a huge birthday cake to mark Pride’s fifth birthday
BIRTHDAY celebrations filled the town centre on Saturday as Oldham’s fifth Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Pride parade took to the streets.
A pink limousine, giant pink owl and huge birthday cake were part of this year’s colourful parade which led revellers from outside the Spindles Shopping Centre to Gallery Oldham.
Host for the day was flamboyant comedian Jonathan Mayor who said Pride was still a protest, especially following the results of the European Election.
He said: “It is particularly important to be here today to make our presence felt and make noise that we are not, will not be and refuse to be represented by the British National Party.”
He also led crowds in making a minute of noise to celebrate the life of Michael Causer, the 18-year-old was murdered in a homophobic attack at his Liverpool home last year.
Chief Supt Caroline Ball read out a statement from Michael’s parents Mike Senior and Marie Causer which urged residents to remember and celebrate their son.
Council leader Howard Sykes said: “In Oldham, we still have homophobic bullying in schools and homophobic hate crime on our streets.
“It is not acceptable. Today is about visibility and celebrating diversity, but also about remembering.”
Other special guests included Oldham Mayor, Councillor Jim McArdle.
