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ABOUT NORTHERN PRIDE 

Northern Pride was formed in August 2007 after a brief gap in Pride activities following the closure of Pride on the Tyne. A research project was commissioned and carried out by MET Ltd to establish what the North East LGBTQIA+ community would like from a Pride event. These results were fed back to the community in May 2007 and from this feedback, a group of volunteers came forward and formed the first Northern Pride Committee.

 

Northern Pride was incorporated as a limited company in 2009 to give the organisation greater accountability and protection and is a registered charity. The festival has become a regional event with a large following and we aim to build on this in the future to ensure we achieve our mission statement:

“To proudly promote Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender culture through public celebration of our heritage and engaging in education and cultural activities that enrich the community, whilst raising awareness of the issues people face regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics whilst building mutual respect and working to end discrimination”

We achieve our aims and objective by holding various events, workshops, seminars and campaigns throughout the year which culminates in the pride festival in July.  The first of these pride festivals were held in July 2008 and was attended by over 2,500 people. The three-day festival now includes a March through Newcastle city with entertainment, various LGBTQIA+ safe zones, information stalls, and market stalls across the Town Moor, Newcastle plus an array of satellite events on the buildup to the festival which now attracts over 70,000 people.

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OUR PROMISE

The three key principles we are committed to delivering to our North East LGBTQ+ community. 

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PROTECT

Protect LGBTQIA+ rights already won and champion these whilst supporting the fight to end equality indifferences that remain at home and abroad.

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PROMOTE

Promote a healthy body and mind through access to support and education for the community and our straight allies.

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PROVIDE

Provide a series of LGBTQIA+ events including our annual festival to bring communities closer together and celebrate our diversity.

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ADVISORY BOARD & PLANNING TEAM

Meet our team of dedicated volunteers, advisors and consultants that help deliver all our events, campaigns and outreach work. 

STE DUNN

(he/him)

Director
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RICHARD MURR

(he/him)

Event Manager/Operations
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ALEX

(they/them)

Northern Pride Mascot
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SOPHIE BENDELOW

(she/her)

Programme Director (Chair of the Board of Trustees)
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NIMERTA VIRDEE

(she/her)

Engagement Manager for Family and Youth
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LYNNE ROBSON

(she/her)

HR Director
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LYNN DAVISON

(she/her)

Engagement Manager for Health and Wellbeing
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JANE OWEN

(she/her)

Director & Production Lead
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FRANCES EASTER

(she/her)

Operations Manager
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SUPPORT TEAM

We wouldn't be able to deliver for our community if it wasn't for the efforts and dedication of our support team. If you see these lovely people around the region, please do say hi, and thank you! 

RACHEL HUDSPITH

(she/her)

Engagement Manager for Sport and Active Life
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MIKEY RICHARDS

(he/him)

Volunteering & Fundraising Manager
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JONNY CHAMBERS

(he/him)

Lead Brand Designer
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PHIL DOUGLAS

(he/him)

Curious Arts Stage Producer
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MXYM

(he/they)

Reporter
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RUSSELL ATKINSON

(he/they)

2023 Festival Designer
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JACK PLASTIQ

(they/them)

Be Scene Zone Manager
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HAYDN BROWN

(he/him)

Photographer
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CAT HURST-MCGAHEY

(she/they)

LGBT+ NSG Zone Manager
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DAN WILKINSON

(he/him)

Media Solutions
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SUPPORTERS AND SPONSORS

We couldn’t deliver our festival, our outreach work or our campaigns if it wasn’t for our supporters, sponsors, and partners. 

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