Rutland's first pride event held in Oakham

History was made in Rutland as members of the LGBT+ community hosted the county’s first pride event.

Oakham Pride was a celebration of love and acceptance regardless of people’s sexuality, and began with a march through the town centre on Saturday.

Having reached Oakham Castle, about 500 people then gathered to enjoy the festival, which featured entertainment alongside charity stands to promote key messages.

Founder Abii Lavery set out with the goal to “bring Oakham and Rutland into the 21st Century”, which she believes the event has helped to achieve.

She said: “I was honestly expecting a lot fewer people to turn up.

“I knew the idea had traction but seeing everyone there really blew my mind.”

The celebration coincided with June being Pride Month and the 50th anniversary of the first Pride rally in London in 1972.

It was heavily supported by businesses in the town, which put up rainbow flags and advertised the event.

While a small minority opposed the event, with some posters torn down from lampposts and shops, the group chose to focus on the positivity.

“It was fantastic,” said Abii. “We have had so many photos shared on Facebook with people saying how much they enjoyed it.

“Everyone who came along had no bad words to say. There were a few people who were negative but we chose to ignore it.”

It wasn’t just members of the LGBT+ community who attended but also hundreds of people who wanted to show their support.

The age groups ranged from families with young children to people in their eighties.

“I really wanted to show our own LGBT+ community that we are here and stand together.,” said Abii.

“From whatever point of view, everyone was here for the same reasons - for pride, to be accepted and to push forward.

“It was not only for the younger LGBT+ members but also for the older people who maybe had a hard time or the people we lost along the way before the Pride movement existed.”

Alicia Kearns MP for Rutland opened the event.

Alongside a Facebook post full of pictures, she thanked everyone involved.

She said: “I’m so proud of our community coming out in such force to show support and love for our LGBT+ community.

“There was some amazing singing and acts, and just full-hearted joy as we marched together in support of the freedom to live your life as you truly are, and love who you love.

“A massive well done to the organisers, and I look forward to all the future Prides in our county.”

Plans are now underway for a ‘bigger and better’ event next year.

Lucy Slessor, chairperson, said: "The Oakham Pride committee and all of the volunteers worked enormously hard to bring Pride to Oakham.

"We are all very proud of our event and there isn't a single member involved we could have done it without."