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GHT at Manchester Pride 2005
2nd Sep 2005

No doubt about it…Manchester Pride 2005 was a fantastic event! From the marvellous Pride Games, to the amazing Big Weekend, once again Manchester’s LGBT community and its friends showed the rest of the UK how to celebrate in style.

Not only did we have arguably the best Pride festival in the UK, but we also raised at least £115,000 for HIV and LGBT charities, making Manchester’s Pride the biggest and best HIV/LGBT fundraiser in the country.

George House Trust had a huge presence over the Big Weekend. Over 100 volunteers, service users, and staff took part in our parade entry, which for the second year running won the best HIV awareness award. As we led the float with a massive inflatable birthday cake, our 20th anniversary was celebrated in style, with 1000 miniature birthday cakes given to the crowd. The “20:05 – Time for action” message was promoted across the village throughout the weekend and 30,000 stickers and balloons were distributed to visitors to the festival. Volunteers gave out information and advice all weekend in the Operation Fundraiser Lifestyle Expo and on the market stalls.

The HIV Candlelit Vigil was attended by almost 4,000 people, and once again provided the emotional finale to the Pride festival. Addressing the crowd, Michelle Reid, Chief Executive of George House Trust said:
“We have to take action now if we’re not going to betray the memories and the spirits of people who can’t be with us here tonight. It’s for those who can no longer shout, it’s for those who can no longer campaign, it’s for those who are no longer standing with us tonight that we must get angry and stay angry.”

As you can see from the pictures, the message was clearly delivered, that “20:05 is time for action on HIV”

Thank you to all those who took part in our activities over the Big Weekend, and for your continued support throughout the year.

Photos from GHT at Pride will be available in our picture gallery over the next couple of weeks, together with a short video of the Vigil.