Dumfries town centre saw the region’s biggest Pride event on Saturday.
A variety of venues were involved, headed by the team at D&G Queerier, with the bulk based around the former Debenhams store on the High Street where information stalls from local groups and organisations featuring everything from LGBT Plus to the TSB, Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre to Citizens Advice Service and Developing the Young Workforce, attracted plenty of visitors all day.
There were also performances on a Pride stage by the Samba Sisters, The Cherry Pinks and Kissing the Flint.
An information hub was created at one of the Midsteeple Quarter buildings, The Smithy at 113 High Street. It hosted screenings of local short films and provided the opportunity to have a Pride makeover by the Fuller Face.
The Robert Burns Film Centre, Mill Road, showed the film, Pride. It was followed by a discussion with activist Belle Doyle and D&GQ co-founder Leo Marsh.
Among the highlights were the Ourstory Scotland LGBT Plus storytelling workshop, hosted by The Stove, with memories, tales and anecdotes set to be included in a special archive in the National Museum Scotland; a trans masc meet-up and Mrs Green’s Cafe in Buccleuch Street became a women and non-binary space, hosting performances over three hours by poet Lizzie Parsons, folk melodies by Katus Young, ukulele tunes by Alix Apples and Emily Major.
There was something for all ages with Catherine Street Inclusive Play Park hosting Pride in the Park storytelling and songs with Susi Sweet Pea the Fairy and a rainbow trail to follow.
Youth zones were set up at the council’s Youth Enquiry Service on the top floor at DGOne Leisure Centre, offering 12 to 25-year-olds a variety of activities from making mocktales to tie dye t-shirts and the Oasis Youth Centre in Newall Terrace has a disco, karaoke and open mic.
There was also a children’s zone at the Geek Retreat in Church Crescent with table top games and activities for all ages, a pride chocolate painting workshop – courtesy of the Moniaive Chocolatiers – and DG Funky Faces doing amazing face painting.
D&G Queerier are now asking for those who attended DG Pride events on Saturday to take part in a short feedback survey at: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/0WVBUH/.
