Cool Manchester

Manchester Pride is delighted to announce that car giant Citroen will be the latest sponsor for the 2011 festival, for the first year ever.

Citroen will be joining the likes of Selfridges, Smirnoff and The Co-operative at Manchester’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) festival, who’s ‘Big Weekend’ takes place between Friday 26 and Monday 29 August.

Neville Staines, National Events Manager for Citroen, said: “Citroen UK is proud to be associated with Manchester Pride 2011, an event to which we plan to bring a touch of our creativity and flair! It promises to be a lot of fun, and the perfect place for us to showcase the fantastic Citroen DS3 and the all new DS4, recently voted most beautiful car in the world”.

Not only is the car manufacturer the latest sponsor for Manchester Pride, but it will also be featuring as a part of the parade taking place on Saturday 28 August. In addition to this, Citroen will be involved in some on-site activity over the ‘Big Weekend’, which is something to look forward to.

Marc Raven, Communications Director for Citroën UK, commented; ‘Citroën is proud to be sponsoring this fantastic event, which gives vital support to LGBT organisations and groups within Greater Manchester. We think Citroën's range of creative, stylish and environmentally-conscious cars will be the perfect complement to the Manchester Pride crowd and we look forward to presenting them at this year's event.'

Jackie Crozier, festival director, said: “Manchester Pride is thrilled to have a company such as Citroen on-board with the festival this year. We love the combination of precision and creativity Citroen bring and equally are extreme enthusiastic that they are so supportive of us”.

Manchester Pride’s Big Weekend takes place from Friday 26 – Monday 29 August, and tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit: www.manchesterpride.com

Alternatively, follow us on Twitter: @ManchesterPride

Manchester Pride is proud to welcome back The Co-operative as one of their sponsors for the 2011 festival, and their 21^st birthday.

The Co-operative features in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index and is recognised for their Respect LGBT Network. They are huge supporters of Manchester Pride, the city where their headquarters is based, and will again this year be featuring as a part of the Pride Parade (Saturday 27 August).

George Meudell, Project Manager at The Co-operative and Chair of The Co-operative’s Respect LGBT Employee Network, said: “The Co-operative is delighted to be sponsoring Manchester Pride for a third consecutive year. Supporting the inclusion of all employees, irrespective of difference, is taken incredibly seriously by the organisation. The Co-operative is the only retailer in Stonewall’s Top 100 employers list. We have a dedicated Diversity team and an LGBT Employee Network called Respect with over 700 members. Being present at numerous Pride festivals throughout the UK is just one of the ways we can demonstrate that as a business we are well and truly ‘good for everyone’.”

Jackie Crozier, festival director at Manchester Pride, said: “The Co-operative are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for all employees and are renowned for their support of the LGBT community. We are delighted to have their support once again for 2011, both as a sponsor and in our parade, and we look forward to seeing what they have in-store for us this year on their float.”

For more information on The Co-operative and other sponsors of Manchester Pride, please see the ‘Sponsors’ section on its official website.

Manchester Pride takes place from Friday 19 August until Monday 29 August, and tickets for the Big Weekend are now on sale. For more information please visit: www.manchesterpride.com. For up-to- date information, follow us on Twitter: @ManchesterPride

I LOVE MCFLY!

I'm not ashamed to admit this at all. I'm a member of McFly's SuperCity and one of the perks of being an annual subscriber (and Pioneer - one of the first to subscribe) I get to meet them. This happened today (4th August 2011) in Bristol. Normally, I would have been in Manchester, but I am currently on holiday visiting my sister in Bristol.

It was a nice informal affair where I was one of four males there - and definately the oldest except for the parents with their U14s - not that I minded at all.

First of all I met Tom, he asked how I was and then signed my Album covers (which I had to buy again as I left everything they could have signed at home in Manchester!) - I decided on buying Motion in the Ocean (the first album I bought) and Above the Noise (their latest album).

After Tom, I had a look round and for some reason I cannot fathom, Dougie had the smallest group of people around him. To me, Dougie is the hottest member of McFly - there is just something about him.

Next to Dougie was Danny and although he had a larger group around him, I saw a gap and swooped in! We had a little chat about Bury and how he used to go to college there.

Finally, I got to see Harry. Whilst waiting to have a quick chat, he knelt down in front of me to take a picture with two fans in wheelchairs and I couldn't resist...

Overall, I had a fantastic day and can't wait to do it again next year! Maybe I will have someone else to take with me if she can persuade her mum to pay for the membership. And next year I'll be taking my Attitude mags to be signed!

Between Tuesday 23 and Thursday 25 August this year, Alasdair Jarvie & Neil Dymond-Green’s comedy play ‘2 Grumpy Gay Men: Loitering with Intention’ comes to Manto Bar on Canal Street.

Taking place during Manchester Pride Fringe, the hilarious duo of William and Ben bring forth all things topical for the grumpy gay man’s community, such as twinks, favourite night spots and even John Barrowman.

Alasdair Jarvie, one of the writers of the production, said: “Nothing is more natural than to have a moan at anything or everything. There’s something familiar about William and Ben when they’re getting their grump on – it’s either because they remind you of someone you know, or perhaps they remind you of someone a little closer to home.”

Jackie Crozier, festival director of Manchester Pride, said: “Manchester Pride are delighted that the ever popular ‘2 Grumpy Gay Men’ is to be hosted at Manto over Pride Fringe. The production explores real and topical issues with a sharp sense of humour and fantastic writing from Jarvie and Dymond-Green. It is one to watch – and not just for old grumpy gay men!”

Tickets for the event cost £6 – or £5 with concession – for more information or to purchase tickets via PayPal, please visit www.newattitude.co.uk. Any other queries email boxoffice@newattitude.co.uk

Manchester Pride 2011 takes place from Friday 19 – Monday 29 of August and tickets for the Big Weekend are now on sale.

For more information see www.manchesterpride.com.

On Sunday 21 August, from 4pm onwards at Taurus Bar, Canal Street, singer Heather McHale is presenting her very own Vintage Tea Party in association with Manchester Pride 2011.

There will be ‘tease’ all around for this event, as Heather celebrates our LGBT veterans with afternoon tea and some exciting entertainment to whet the whistle.

The afternoon is free to take part in and will be accompanied with cheeky burlesque and comedy courtesy of The Canary Cage and CoalMine Productions. These and the vintage vocals will help take the mood right through to the night time and for an evening on Canal Street.

Heather McHale said: “I am delighted to be holding a Manchester Pride Fringe event, and even more so to raise awareness and honour LGBT veterans and existing service personnel. We will also be raising vital funds for the Royal Air Forces Association Wings Appeal during the afternoon so why not join us and don't forget - there may be a ration on but there will still be plenty of ‘tease’ to go around!”

Jackie Crozier, festival director at Manchester Pride, said: “Having had many generations of my family serve in the forces, the event means a lot to me. It is something very different for Manchester Pride Fringe. Celebrating our LGBT veterans with fantastic entertainment from Heather, it’s definitely an event to look forward to.”

For more information regarding the Vintage Tea Party please contact Heather McHale on mchale_1@hotmail.com.

Manchester Pride 2011 takes place from Friday 19^th – Monday 29^th August, and tickets for the Big Weekend are on sale now. For more information see www.manchesterpride.com

Alternatively, follow the festival on Twitter: @ManchesterPride