“History was made today – for the first time ever the progress flag is being flown over Peterborough Cathedral,” was how jubilant organisers of today’s Peterborough Pride welcomed the news.
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
“This is a momentous achievement, and we are so proud of all of those who were involved in making this happen.
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
“Special shout out to our vice chair who climbed all the way to the top of the cathedral to make sure the flag was looking fabulous.”
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
And so it began, Peterborough Pride 2023, and one further recognition of how even a symbolic gesture such as this affects public perception and response to our country’s LGBTQ+ community.
Today was a magnificent further step along the way.
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
An estimated 2,000 people took part in the Pride March through the city centre – mingling and being welcomed in the cathedral grounds as has happened once before with a wedding party.
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
It was just the beginning however of the Pride Party which is continuing throughout the day and into the evening at the Green Backyard on Oundle Road.
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
It is here that stages and stalls have been set up for visitors to enjoy, with the emphasis on music, and of course the day hosted by drag queens.
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Some big names organisations and businesses from the city supported the event.
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
“Sponsorship is about putting your name and reputation on the line for other people regardless of the consequence,” observed one of the Peterborough Pride organisers.
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Even Stagecoach, often the focus of criticism from people of all backgrounds, felt moved to support pride 2023, laying on a bus for those unable to walk the Pride march and also by offering discounted day rider tickets to attend.
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
The parade began at Stanley Recreation Ground and ended at the Green Backyard.
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Peterborough Pride 2023: “The celebration aims to bring the city's LGBTQ+ community together and show support for those within it,” was how a Pride organiser described it. PHOTO: Terry Harris
Perkins, Aegon and Anglia Ruskin University were among sponsors of Peterborough Pride 2023.
