Bury Pride, Belfast Pride and Manchester Pride have been named the best Pride events in Hits Radio Pride’s Pride Poll, winning the best Small, Medium and Large events respectively. Voted by fans and listeners of Bauer Media’s dedicated LGBTQ+ station, the inaugural poll aimed to shine a light on Pride events this year when a large number of events in the UK were either cancelled or postponed.

The poll, which was open for voting throughout Pride month, saw votes for over 150 different local and specialised events, with fans sharing their love for events of all sizes across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

As well as the glory of being loved most by its audiences, Belfast Pride, Manchester Pride and Bury Pride will all receive a marketing campaign on Hits Radio Pride.

Paul Gerrard, Programme Director, Hits Radio, said: “At Hits Radio Pride we strive to be a platform that always amplifies LGBTQ+ voices and celebrates the community – not just during Pride month but all year round. Pride events give so many people a place of hope, safety and joy, so we were delighted to see votes for such an array of different events and award Bury Pride, Belfast Pride and Manchester Pride the honour of being named our very first winners of the Pride Poll!”

David Catterall, Lead organiser Bury Pride/Co-Chair of the Bury LGBTQI+ Forum, Bury Pride said: “Everyone at Bury Pride are thrilled to hear we had won in Hits Radio Pride’s first Pride Poll. We know we had stiff competition, especially from all our friends at the other Greater Manchester Pride events. It is a team effort and we’re very grateful to all our partners who work with us. We work very hard to ensure that Bury Pride is fully inclusive and accessible to all, ensuring that we engage with all communities in Bury and Greater Manchester so that we can celebrate the rich diversity as well as having a great time doing it!”

Seán Ó Néill, Chair Belfast Pride Festival said: “This is a great honour for Belfast Pride, the team, our community and the city. Belfast Pride brings a rainbow of colour and defiance to Belfast along with an ambitious programme that brings the city alive, mixing protest and celebration and bringing affirmation and visibility to LGBT+ citizens. We’re proud of our Pride and our city and this win means even more this year as we are putting safety first by holding most events online for the second year. We are working to bring everyone together again for Belfast Pride next year and being voted ‘Best UK Pride’ gives us hope and courage for the road head.”

Mark Fletcher, CEO, Manchester Pride said: “We’re so proud and pleased that Hits Radio listeners love what we do. With this year’s event full steam ahead, it’s good to know that we are making a real difference for LGBTQ+ people and we can’t wait to come together again, safely this August at Manchester Pride Festival.”

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For further press information, please contact:

Odelia Yu – Senior Commercial Communications Executive, Bauer Media

E: odelia.yu@bauermedia.co.uk M: 07718124791

About Bauer Media UK:

Bauer Media UK reaches over 25 million UK consumers through a portfolio of world-class, multi-platform media and entertainment brands including heat, KISS, Grazia, Empire, Magic, Absolute Radio and the Hits Radio Brand Network. These brands offer commercial partners access to highly engaged audiences, with creative solutions underpinned by insight and instinct. Bauer Media UK is part of the Bauer Media Group, one of the world’s largest privately owned media businesses with media assets all over the globe.