Chris Park quizzes some of this years Parade participants

The Manchester Pride Parade is almost upon us and anyone who has witnessed this fantastic event will know the key word is diversity especially with the range of companies and organisations who participate year after year to show their support to the LGBT community.

Canal St caught up with four of these organisations who will be marching down Deansgate on Saturday 29th August, Seb Thompson (ST) from Manchester Airport, Woody Wade (WW) from Coronation Street, Shane Orrom (SO) from the General Medical Council and James Cox (JC) from Wickes.

How long have you been participating in the parade?

ST – This will be our fourth consecutive year as headline sponsor

WW - We entered our first float in the parade for Coronation Street's 50th year in 2010 and ever since then we have participated so this will be our 6th float and we hope to keep creating bigger and better floats in the years to come.

SO - About 4 years ago I was asked if I could arrange something for our work place and take part in the Manchester Pride Parade. Each year it gets bigger and bigger.

JC - This will be the second year that Wickes have participated in the parade and I am very excited.

What does it mean to you to participate?

ST - It's a great event for the city which we are always keen to get behind. It brings a wealth of people in and being gateway to the city and the North we feel delighted to be involved

WW - For Coronation Street I think it's exceptionally important to be involved. It sends out such a positive message to its viewers, the public who turn up on the day and everyone who sees the media coverage of the event.  We are proud to be a part of what is a fantastic annual event and celebration of LGBT life in the city and in turn to be contributing to all the wonderful charities that Manchester Pride helps by organising this month long festival.

For me personally it's a huge honour to be a part of Manchester Pride especially representing working here at Corrie. Even after 6 years I have a moment every year where I'm standing on the float waiting for the parade to begin at the top of Liverpool road and I get a lump in my throat watching the enormous crowds who have all turned out in support. It's very humbling to see so many people who come rain or shine, year on year to watch the parade, wave rainbow flags and cheer and clap as we go along the route.  

SO - It gives me pride in the organisation I work for as they are proud to put LGBT issues to the forefront. The backing that we have had from management has been great and they are happy for us to take part in both Manchester and London Pride.

JC - I’ve been working for Wickes for 17 years and when I joined I wasn’t open about my sexuality. I believe that if everyone has the confidence to be themselves at work, you get the best out of them. Wickes is a diverse employer and I am proud to be part of a company with those values. 

What memories do you have of previous parades?

ST - Fun memories! Each year is so much fun and always so different. It's great for staff to get involved and enjoy themselves

WW - My first pride where I was just a spectator of the parade and only just out myself at 30 years old, that was a very special year because I didn't even know anyone who was gay and to suddenly realise I wasn't alone and that it was actually OK to be gay, it was like a whole new world had opened up for me. I also filmed our first ever Corrie Pride Music video with the cast and crew and to see that go out on the big screen on the main stage over the Big Weekend was an exceptionally proud moment for me.

SO - All of the parades are different. I remember the first year we took part – there were only about 20 of us in blue T-shirts, we looked like minnows in a sea of colour. Then the second year we went all out with multi-coloured T-shirts to make us really stand out and about 300 helium filled balloons. This year is going to be bigger, I have introduced the “GMC Gonk” and the balloons have increased to about 1000 (although we will probably have about 300 by the time the parade starts)

JC - Last year’s event was a great experience for all those involved from Wickes and I personally found it quite overwhelming. We won best commercial entry, I think this was due to the fact that many were shocked to see a Wickes float, so we’re excited to be part of it again this year to change people’s perceptions of Wickes as a company. The best memory I have from the event was half way through the parade as you get to the judging panel. The crowd went mental, which was amazing.

If people haven’t attended before what should they expect?

ST - They should expect a great weekend, full of entertainment, hopefully good weather, but this is Manchester after all. Mainly they should expect to see a sense of pride from the city who delivers an outstanding event year after year

WW - A carnival atmosphere where anyone and everyone no matter what sexual preference they have is accepted as they are.  Just as it should be.  

SO - Fun !! It is a really great day. Nothing prepares you for the moment you first turn the corner from Liverpool Street on to Deansgate. It can be a bit daunting at first but you soon get into it when the buzz and excitement of the event take over.

JC - People should expect a huge celebration, with anyone and everyone from all walks of life. From Wickes, people can expect to see a better float than last year which will show off people from all areas of the company from stores to head office, distribution and tradesmen to celebrate all different elements of the business and how proud we are of supporting the LGBT community.

The theme this year is Devotion, what are you devoted to?

ST - We're devoted to our passengers - customer service is at heart of our operations here at Manchester Airport and we do all we can to ensure their airport experience is as pleasant as possible and with 342,000 set to fly through over Pride weekend we have a lot to keep happy.

WW - Corrie is devoted to entertaining it's viewers and we hope that our float will surprise, impress and astound them even more than it has done in years gone by.  I'm devoted to trying to make that a certainty every year.

SO - I am devoted to making sure that each and every person who takes part enjoys themselves. 

JC - I would say I am devoted to helping create a great place to work for everyone regardless of their background, and welcoming customers old and new into stores.

By Chris Park for Canal St Online

Published: 23-Aug-2015: (3277)