25 Aug 2007 - Manchester pride 2007
During his official visit to the North West, Bishop Barry, accompanied by his husband Peter and The Dean of Chapter, attended part of the Manchester Gay Pride Celebrations this weekend. Invited to ride in the procession on top of a vintage Charabang within the Body Positive display, he was able to meet and greet approximately 5000 people along the route (obviously not all personally)
Setting off from under the haunting expanse of the Hilton Hotel, the parade snaked its' way through the city centre. Over 80 floats and 2000 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their supporters sent a rainbow of colour, inclusivity through diversity shining through the gloomy grey skies to a very appreciative throng of people lining the route from Liverpool Road to the Village centre around Canal Street.
Bishop Barry was very impressed with the overwhelming feeling of love, community and inclusivity that swept through the whole parade and continued into the weekend celebrations, now regarded as one of the principle GLBTU Mardi Gras in the whole of Europe.
'To see people of every shape and size, colour and creed all unting to celebrate the fantastic diversity of God's people was a wonderful experience, and Peter and I were humbled to have been invited to take part.'
After the Parade, following brief stop over back at their hosts; Will and Mark (many thanks to them for their kindness in making some soft southerners so welcome) to rest and change, ++Barry and Peter were taken on a tour of the facilities and events going on in the evening by Canon Peter, enjoying a wonderful meal in the 'Chinatown' district, with an opportunity to meet the large Asian community in this most metropolitan and diverse city. Then onto the continuing celebrations along Sackville and Canal Streets, meeting some very excitable and celebratory people.
The Patriarch and Peter then made their way back over the wekend back to Church House, revitalised and encouraged at the amazing capacity of the human being to action love and acceptance, and pray wholeheartedly that events like this will multiply and prsoper in years to come.