The Berkshire and Mid Thames group have secured a pitch at this year's Reading Pride’s annual Love Unites festival and parade which will be held on Saturday 2 September. The costs of hiring the pitch have been met by GOC HQ. I will be seeking volunteers primarily from the Berkshire and Mid Thames Group Group to run the stall and provide information about GOC and what it does and hopefully attract new members from across the LGBTQ community. Members from other groups are of course most welcome to join us on the day and, if interested, helping on the stall .

There will be a parade before the festival, which kicks off at 12pm and is planned to have a full line-up across multiple stages. There will also be a funfair, family area, plenty of food and drink stalls and a marketplace where we will have our stall.

Background:  Reading became known in the homosexual world in the late 1890s when Oscar Wilde was imprisoned in Reading gaol, after having served time in Pentonville and Wandsworth prisons after having been found guilty of 'acts of gross indecency with other male persons'.

Decades later in a far more enlightened society Pride in Reading first took place in 2003 and was created by a group of local volunteers to represent and support the LGBTQIA+ community. Every year since then attendance has risen steadily, with up to 15,000 people attending the event and 1,500 people participating in the parade.

The Reading Pride charity works throughout the year to promote equality, and the Pride Parade and Festival are completely free for everyone.

Details about the event can be found at : https://pride-events.co.uk/event/reading-pride/

It would be nice to see as many of you as can make the day. It is usually a fun event with lots of music and stage acts.

Best wishes

Simon

Coordinator for the Berkshire and Mid Thames Group.