Our fine city is set to be transformed into the colours of the rainbow with the annual Norwich Pride celebrations taking place this weekend.
Norwich Pride - a celebration of the LGBT+ community for everyone - takes place today and the whole city is invited to join in the festivities.
It is the ninth year of Norwich Pride, and as in previous years there will be a Pride parade which starts at 1pm from outside City Hall and will then weave its way to Chapelfield Gardens.
There will also be an array of other activities taking place throughout the day, including lots of stalls at The Forum and a packed programme of performances and events in Chapelfield Gardens on both the main stage sponsored by Flaunt and in the Community Tent sponsored by Aviva.
Lots of different organisations and businesses across the city are also doing special things to celebrate Norwich Pride this weekend.
Jules Bremner, one of the Norwich Pride organisers, said everyone was invited to get involved in the day which was an inclusive, family-friendly event that was full of fun and rainbows. On the reason why the day was so important, Jules said: 'Norwich Pride is important because every year many people take that important step to being themselves and come out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or plus which represents queer, asexual, intersex, pansexual, straight allies and more.
'We hope our event gives people the confidence to be proud to be themselves and feel the love and support of the community to allow that freedom of expression.'
Mark Gracey, a fellow Norwich Pride organiser, added: 'There is still prejudice, there are still hurdles, and it is really important for people who maybe are questioning their sexuality to know they are not alone, because that is a scary thing.'
He said Norwich Pride was a day of celebrating difference and being united together, and he said organisers hoped thousands of people would attend the brightly coloured event.
'We are getting really 'rainbowed up' for the day. The flags, bunting and ribbons will be everywhere, if you can put a rainbow on it we have it,' he said.
Norwich Pride events taking place today (Saturday) include:
At the Forum - From 10am there will be a range of stalls and the official Norwich Pride shop, plus lots of activities and family-friendly entertainment.
The Pride Parade - This starts at 1pm outside City Hall and the parade will weave its way around the city before finishing at Chapelfield Gardens at 2pm.
The Main Stage, sponsored by Flaunt, in Chapelfield Gardens - From 2pm there is a packed programme of events hosted by Helen McDermott on the main stage with acts including a Madonna tribute, a Lady Gaga tribute, Passion Productions and Jack Rose.
The Community Tent, sponsored by Aviva, in Chapelfield Gardens - At 2pm James McDermott will perform his show Rubber Ring, at 3pm there will be a LGBT+ Question Time, and at 4pm Vince Laws' Theatre will present an event marking 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK.
For more information on Norwich Pride events, visit the Norwich Pride website at www.norwichpride.org.uk
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