Frome’s first-ever Pride Parade was a colourful and vibrant highlight of the Frome Pride 2024 season, which took place last month.
Marking a moment in history, the Frome LGBTQ+ community came together for the very first time in a full-colour celebration to walk and dance through the town to launch the Frome Pride market stage takeover. The parade launched Frome’s second Pride season, following its debut season last year.
Lead by Cheryl Sprinkler of Mojo Moves, the Frome Pride Community was joined by the town’s mayor, cllr Andy Jones, representing Frome Town Council, Frome College Equality Group, MIND and 2BU mental health support charities and a number of local communities of all ages and allies.
“As the parade came down North Parade, a large local community crowd was waiting to cheer and support as it made its way through the town to the Frome Pride Market Stage,” says Rachel Haughey from the Frome Pride group.
“Extensive support for the Frome LGBTQ+ community included local, national and international allies that travelled far and wide to join on the day. This was reflected in the Pride Market Stage line-up, opened by the mayor and included Frome College band performances from Bethan, Alexa and Butane Skies. It went on to feature inspirational speakers from the Rainbow Families community, representatives from MIND and 2BU charities and a powerful poetry corner section read by local artist Stoney Parsons.
“The day culminated with incredible live performances from the Sing Out Bristol Choir, and an unforgettable performance from internationally renowned opera and jazz singer, Aivale Cole, who featured on the Lord of the Rings soundtrack. The Rainbow Families community also featured a Pride Village Disco Take over outside the library and co-hosted a safe space area with mental health charity MIND, for children and young people.
“After such an incredible launch, the Frome Pride Season went on to feature an array of community events. This included a Mojo Moves Pride Special, a two-week Frome Pride Art Exhibition Pride across the Generations hosted at the Black Swan Arts Round Tower, a fibre arts workshop at Projects Cafe, a wine tasting event hosted by Givino in Commerce Park, a Rainbow Families Pride picnic at Victoria Park and an unforgettable Pride Party hosted at 23 Bath St, featuring return community drag performers Remy, Mother and Zinfandel.”
Frome Pride organisers were delighted with the turnout and said, “Frome Pride 2024 Season truly marked its place in Frome’s town history, and communities were able to celebrate together across the town. Every event saw previously isolated people coming together in celebration of the diversity of our amazing Frome community and forever marked a positive change in our town’s history.”
Rachel said, “The Frome LGBTQ+ community has continued to flourish over the last few years, with the local Frome LGBTQ+ social group meeting on the fourth Friday of every month at Flow Bar. Anyone wishing to connect with the community or join any of the upcoming events can connect via the Frome Pride website www.fromepride.org.”