OXFORD descended into a sea of colour as Oxford Pride held its first parade since the pandemic.
Two years of cancellations saw festivities go online, but on the same weekend as Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the carnival atmosphere was able to return to the city streets.
Hundreds of people turned out at Radcliffe Square from 11am, before the parade set off into the city centre an hour later.
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Backed by Pride groups from Belfast, Reading and Swindon, Debbie Brixey – chair of Oxford Pride – was delighted to see a return of the parade in the city.
She said: “This is the first parade we’ve had since 2019 and it’s the first opportunity we’ve had to get together.
“It’s not so much about being bigger and better, this year we decided we would go without a theme as it was about being together again.
“We haven’t been together to make our voice heard, raise our points and make ourselves visible.
“We have a way to go, but we have to enjoy what we’ve done to get here.
“It’s jubilee weekend which is a challenge in itself, with so many other things going on.”
Next year marks Oxford Pride’s 20th anniversary, and Ms Brixey is already putting together plans for June 3.
She said: “I’m planning in my head already – people’s attitudes have been changed slightly as they don’t want to be in large groups all the time.
“As far as we’re concerned, Pride is a protest and a celebration. We’ll be looking back and it’s important to look at what we’ve achieved.
“We want people to tell us what they want to see from us.”
Alana Stewart, communications officer for Oxford Pride, added: “In the last few years, the UK has dropped down in the charts in terms of LGBT rights and that’s happened since the last pride in 2019, so it’s massively important for people to be here, when you’ve got the conversion therapy ban going on.
“A lot of people have been isolated, and are back with their families now, so it’s exciting to make up for lost time.”
Jo Hawkes joined the crowds at Oxford Pride after years of helping organise the annual event.
She said: “For me, it means coming together with my family. It’s great to see people, and these people need support as they receive a lot of oppression.
“There’s something for everyone here, and we celebrate straight people too.”
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This story was written by Liam Rice, he joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.
Liam covers politics, travel and transport. He occasionally covers Oxford United.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Liam.rice@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailLiamRice
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