It is Sunderland's turn to celebrate LGBTQ Pride and today's event will be held in Sunniside, after a parade which will open the celebration.
Sunderland Pride 2019 takes place on Sunday September 29 between 12 noon and 6pm. The well-attended parade started at Park Lane Village at 12, before heading to Olive Street, Mary Street, Vine Place, Fawcett Street, High Street West and then Sunniside.
Acts on the Sunniside Gardens stage started at 1pm.
They include award-winning drag queen Pat Clutcher, Pebble Dash, and host Lucy Phurr, party band Pulp Function, comedy hypnotist Aaron Lodge, Newcastle singer Channy Thompson, singers Owen Seafield, Steven Udale, Jessie Dale who appeared on The Voice Kids UK, Melody 5, and the Shooting Stars Musical Theatre Group.
There are rainbow street decorations and rainbow-decorated council vehicles at the event, while landmarks including Penshaw Monument, the Northern Spire Bridge, Cliffe Park Lighthouse, Fulwell Mill and Keel Square are being lit up in rainbow colours over the weekend.
This year is marking 50 years since the Stonewall riots in London which sparked the Pride movement.
The event is hosted by Rachel Rear and Lucy Phurr. All are welcome.
