Pictured (L to R): Benjamin Scotter (Aviva Pride Deputy Chair), Mark Gracey (Norwich Pride), Alex Ferguson (Aviva Director of Customer Oversight), and Ashley Freck (Aviva Pride Norwich Lead)

 

The Community Tent, sponsored by Aviva will provide a series of free education and entertainment for all to attend at Norwich Pride on 29 July this year.

 

Mark from Norwich Pride said: “We were thrilled to be invited to join the tenth anniversary celebrations of Aviva Pride this year. At that reception (pictured), Aviva confirmed their sponsorship of The Community Tent at this year’s Norwich Pride.”

 

On stage in The Community Tent there will be a mixture of drama and debate. At 2pm, James McDermott performs his debut piece about growing up gay in rural Norfolk, uncovering his sexuality, and wondering if he actually fancies anyone at all.

 

From 3pm, the annual LGBT+ Question Time returns to Norwich Pride. Hosted by Helen McGuinness, a local LGBT activist. Helen will be joined by Asifa Lahore, the UK’s first Muslim Drag Queen; Alex Causton-Ronaldson, a Terrence Higgins Trust Campaigner; Lady Phyll, of UK Black Pride; Ruth Hunt, Stonewall’s Chief Executive; and Katy-Jon Went, a trans activist and writer.

 

Nick from Norwich Pride said: “This year, we have made it possible for under 18s to visit The Community Tent to watch the performances and be part of Question Time. You asked us to make that change, and we’ve acted on your feedback.”

 

Last up in The Community Tent is an experimental participatory theatre project, written by Vince Laws, to celebrate 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK. This theatre production also seeks to highlight the plight of disabled people under the current government.