IT was a last-minute decision that will have a historic impact.

Less than two months ago a group of Southampton activists decided it was time the city had its first full day of Pride celebrations.

Today the final touches to a day of celebration and awareness-raising have been put in place and the event is getting underway.

West Marland’s Road will be a riot of colour as lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual people from across Southampton come together to celebrate their communities.

The one-day festival will see X Factor contestant Marcus Collins headline a full day of top acts, with family activities and stalls around Guildhall square including an inflatable disco, craft-making and music.

Daily Echo: Marcus Collins

To help raise money for the event businesses across the city are offering discounts to anyone sporting a rainbow Southampton Pride wristband.

The £2 bands are on sale at The Stage Door, The London Hotel, The Edge nightclub, Lucid, and The Spitfire and will give wearers a discount at the Gourmet Burger Company, Spitfire, Candy Floss King, Paperchase, The Stable, Nando’s, Jack’s of London, Lucid and Neighbourhood.

A specially commissioned Pride cocktail is also on offer at bars and clubs across the city, with £1 from each drink sold going towards the event.

West Quay based cruise company Carnival will be raising the rainbow flag this week, and mediaeval monument the Bargate will also hoist the flag in recognition of the event.

Southampton mayor Cllr Cathie McEwing will open the August Bank Holiday show, with leisure, culture and communities chief Cllr Satvir Kaur and trade union Unite’s Jenny Formby also saying a few words.

Entertainment will range from Southampton’s ever-popular Ukelele Jam, to drag artists Aura-J and Cassidy Connors, with Andrea Lynette Young and female vocal group Timeless joining others on the main stage.

There will be a drag cabaret show at the Stage Door and after-parties at The London Hotel and The Edge.

Daily Echo:

Hampshire Constabulary, one of the first police forces in the UK to set up a team of dedicated LGBT officers, will be supporting the event, while community groups and individuals from across Hampshire will join the parade from the Stage Door to the Bargate and back at 3pm.

Although LGBT rights have come a long way since gay sex between men was decriminalised in 1967, Southampton-based transgender activist Tamsin Marie said there is still a need for awareness-raising events like Pride.

She said: “Given the coverage of transgender rights over the past couple of years, many might think discrimination is a thing of the past. But discrimination is still very much part of daily life. Thankfully things are much better than they were when I graduated in the 1990s, when it was the norm to fire people if they revealed that they were transgender.

“There are still sadly plenty of modern day horror stories. It may be illegal to fire people for being transgender but there is no shortage of skilled trans people who find that their shining career has suddenly hit a glass ceiling, or that their previously successful CV doesn’t get a response. As a transgender woman, I am regularly touched by the kindness and acceptance that most people in Southampton give and am thankful for the social and legal progress against prejudice. However there are still people who are victims of violence and prejudice for being who they are.

  • Southampton’s Pride Parade will start from the Stage Door on West Marland’s Road at 3pm, through Guildhall Square, down Above Bar Street to the Bargate Monument, around the Bargate Monument, back up Above Bar Street to Guildhall Square and West Marlands Road.

Organisers are inviting the public to “join in, get dressed up, bring your kids, your parents, your dog, your family and friends. Be as colourful as you can and make some noise.”

They are advising participants to be aware of roads, vehicles and pedestrians during the parade and to only cross roads when it is safe to do so, at designated pedestrian crossings and to respect other pedestrians.

The lineup for the big day:

11am: Southampton Pride opened by the Mayor of Southampton

11.10am: guest speakers

11.20am: DJ Neil Sackley

12.00: Timeless

12.30: Andrea Lynette Young

1pm: Taygon Paxton

1.30: Shannon Baker

2pm: Cassidy Connors

2.30pm: Harry Fisher

3pm: Southampton Pride Parade

3pm: DJ Dazza

3.40pm: DJ Darcy

4.20pm: Velma Celli

4.30pm: Southampton Ukulele Jam

5pm: Vileda Moppe

5.30pm: The Half Eight

6pm: Marcus Collins

6.35pm: Music Theatre South

7.05pm: Imogen Johnson

7.20pm: Southampton Gay Men’s Chorus

7.50pm: Spotlight Vocal Duo

8.10pm: Katie Rogers

8.30pm: Velma Celli

8.40pm: Becky Lombardi

9.05: Calum Lintott

9.25pm: Adam Renz

9.45pm: Velma Celli

10.00pm: DJ Mikey

11pm: Outside Street Party must be cleared

The stage will be hosted by drag queen Velma Celli, and there will be a late night drag show from 10.30pm until late at the Stage Door and featuring Aura-J, Cherry Liquor, Diamond Lee, Sally Monella, Adam All, Foxy de Silver and hosted by Joe Black.

There will also be a slice of action from the Stage Door’s ‘adult panto’ Aladdin and official after parties at The London Hotel and The Edge until 5am with free entry before 8pm.