LGBTory Members before the Parade
This weekend saw another first for David Cameron’s modern Conservatives. LGBTory, the Conservative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans group, for the second year running took part in the celebrations of Manchester Pride – Manchester’s annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) festival, held over the August bank holiday weekend. Not only did they have a stall throughout the whole of the Pride ‘Big Weekend’, the group also walked in the parade, with the now familiar rainbow tree logo and the slogan “Conservative and Proud”. These efforts were to showcase the Conservatives as a Party interested in LGBT issues and in putting an end to homophobia and promoting equal rights for all, no matter what their sexual or gender identity.
The weekend was a tremendous success. We had an excellent team in the parade and had loads of fun doing it. We were flying the flag for the Conservatives and had lots of attention from the many thousands of people who lined the parade route through the city.
Last year we had a stall at Manchester Pride for the first time ever and we built on that success this year with our presence in the parade too. On the stall, we had a great deal of interest in both LGBTory and the Conservatives generally. People were positive about us being there and were very happy to see us.
LGBTory stall at Manchester Pride
The successful Pride attendance follows news that a gay event is to be held at the party’s annual conference next month. Conference Pride will be held at Spirit Bar in the heart of Manchester’s gay village on Tuesday October 6th. Guests will include shadow equalities minister Theresa May, Conservative Party vice chair Margot James, Shadow Environment Secretary Nick Herbert, Chief Cxecutive of Stonewall Ben Summerskill and political blogger Iain Dale.
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