THE city’s biggest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) parade is set to return to Paradise this year.

Oxford Pride had been held in Oxpens since 2003 but this year it will return to Paradise Street, where it first took place in 2002.

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Panti Bliss, patron of Oxford Pride

Chairman Rob Jordan said it will move because of disruption for redevelopment plans for nearby Westgate Shopping Centre and the railway station.

Organisers hope the central location will entice more people to join the festivities, to include the nearby Oxford Castle quarter, on Saturday, June 6.

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Last June’s event attracted more than 4,000 people including about 100 in a street parade.

Mr Jordan said: “We want to give Pride back to the community. It’s been out of the way but people can just wander in this year and I think that’s the main thing.

“We want to make it a bit more inclusive. Some people will say that in these times we don’t need Pride. But this is a celebration of LGBT life and the fact that people can come and be part of it.

“It’s no different from any other celebration. Just because of our sexuality, we are no different from your next-door neighbour or anybody else.”

The 38-year-old Vodafone retail manager added: “I think it’s going to be a good thing that we are bringing it more into the city.”

Dancers, singers, community choirs, poets and speakers are set to gather for this year’s theme ‘Join With Us’.

Dan Gillespie Sells, frontman of rock band The Feeling, has agreed for their song ‘Join With Us’ to be Oxford Pride’s theme tune this year, he said.

The Abingdon resident added: “We are really pleased he has allowed us to use the song.

“We made a pledge this year that we want to give Pride back to the community and rather than going out and making sure we are out there to be seen, we want people to come to us. That’s what ‘Join With Us’ is about.”

Drag queen Panti Bliss, whose speech against homophobia went viral last February, is this year’s patron. Committee members need to raise up to £15,000 and have already got £2,000.

Mr Jordan said: “We are asking people in times when we know money is tight, but we are hoping that we will get some sponsorship from some local companies.”

Residents are encouraged to join the next committee meeting on Tuesday, January 20, at 7.30pm at Oxford Town Hall.


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