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# “A celebration of inclusivity.” First ever Thurrock Pride to be a feast of colour, comedy, drag and discussions
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/a-celebration-of-inclusivity-first-ever-thurrock-pride-to-be-a-feast-of-colour-comedy-drag-and-discussions/
- Published: 2024-04-30T10:35:13.000Z
- Updated: 2024-04-30T10:35:13.000Z
- Description: Thurrock’s first ever Pride event will take place on Saturday, 8 June starting at 9.30am with a Pride Celebration Walk commencing at Purfleet Station, joined by the wider community to walk along the river front and Gray’s High Street. Events will take place throughout the day, ending with the Great
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: Pride, Alexis Gregory, Allan Jay, Jordan Gray, LGBTQ

**Thurrock**’s first ever Pride event will take place on **Saturday, 8 June** starting at **9.30am** with a **Pride Celebration Walk** commencing at **Purfleet Station**, joined by the wider community to walk along the river front and **Gray’s High Street**.

Events will take place throughout the day, ending with the **Great Big Queer Cabaret** at **Thameside Theatre.** Thurrock-born comedian and singer **Jordan Gray** will officially open the day, and artist and drag performer **Sirena Hart** will also be taking part.

Organisers hope **Thurrock Pride Festival** will be a celebration of inclusivity with a powerful statement of visibility, acceptance and solidarity. There will be a **Pre-Pride Party** on **30 May** with a host of events leading up to the official **Thurrock Pride Day** on **Saturday, 8 June**, most of which are **FREE**.

Events include live music, comedy, film, art workshops and drag performances. At the start of the day walkers will be holding vibrant, bespoke silk flags created by Purfleet-based, arts organisation and event partner, **Kinetika,** alongside members of the LGBTQ+ community. The walk will be led by event partner, **T100 Festival** – Thurrock’s Walking, Talking and Making Festival.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/02-human-library-13-e1714473097889.jpg)

Human Library

The Festival is also working with **Essex Book Festival** to include LGBTQ+ stories in the **Human Library** event at **Grays Library** on the same day. Co-created by festival directors **Arts Outburst**, Thurrock Pride Festival 2024 is the first of its kind locally and a historic moment for LGBTQ+ and wider communities of Essex. They wish to welcome the local people of Thurrock and people across the Southeast of England to join in, celebrate and be part of acceptance and equality at the event.

“Arts Outburst are super proud to be delivering this historical moment in Thurrock. We believe that representation and equity are hugely important and play a massive part of the work we do. To be taking the lead of Thurrock Pride, using Arts and Culture to shape and tell that story, is very exciting for us and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to the Thameside.” **Daryl Branch,** Artistic Director and CEO Arts Outburst.

The **Thurrock LGBTQ+ Community Network** has secured funding and support to host this colourful community celebration funded by the **National Lottery Community Fund, Arts Council England, Start Thurrock** and **Riverside Community Grays Big Local,** with additional support from rail company **c2c.** The Thurrock LGBTQ+ Community Network has been running monthly peer support drop-ins and social events for the last 18 months, which attracted up to 80 attendees.

**LISTINGS:**

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ruby-violet-posing-e1714472657250.webp)

RUBY VIOLET

**Pre-Pride Party** at **Thameside Theatre Foyer** on **Thursday, 30 May** at **7.30pm, £5**: Bring on the sequins and get ready for the main event. Hosted by **Ruby Violet** this is a LGBTQ+ social evening where allies and all are welcome, 16+.

**Flag Workshops** from **Wednesday 1 – Sunday, 5 May, FREE**: Contact **LGBTQ+ Community Forum** for a place: [thurrocklgbtqnetwork@gmail.com](mailto:thurrocklgbtqnetwork@gmail.com)

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/riot-act-online--production-photos-by-holly-revell-oe2b4223-scaled-e1714472064680.webp)

RIOT ACT

***Riot Act*** by **Alexis Gregory** at **Thameside Theatre Foyer** on **Thursday, 6 June** at **7.30pm, £5, 18+**: Hard hitting, hilarious and heart-warming exploration of the history of the LGBTQ+ movement in this solo show. It’s going to be a riot *’funny as well as moving, honest and truthful…theatre at it’s simplest and at it’s best’* – British Theatre Guide.

***PRIDE*** at **Thameside Theatre Foyer, Friday, 7 June, 7.30pm, £5, 18+:** Watch the iconic and award-winning British film, which is a story of class and sexuality intersecting. Two communities come together during a time when division was strong and solidarity was needed. Based on the inspirational true story.

**Thurrock Pride Festival** on **Saturday 8 June** from **9.30am, FREE.** Join T100 Festival on their Pride celebration walk leaving Purfleet Station at 9.30am to walk along the riverfront. **Jumeaux** will perform their infectious melodies, playful rap and wavy synths.at the Walk and throughout the day. Book your place on the walk [HERE](https://t100festival.co.uk/thurrock-pride-walk-2024/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/62p86q3hxfpeqnof5aif-e1714472009640.jpg)

Sirena Hart

**Pride Brunch** from **11am-12.15pm** There will be a pit-stop at the **Wharf Pub** for performances by **Sirena Hart** and mocktails. Heading to Thameside Complex from **12.15pm**.

**Human Library** from **9.30am-12.30pm** A living book unique experience. Hear real life stories and embrace LGBTQ+ communities. **Grays Library** part of Thameside Complex.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/allan-jay-edit-9-96-d-p-i-c-simon-pepper-photography-2024-scaled-e1714471698436.jpg)

Allan Jay. Pic by Simon Pepper Photography

**Raising of the Pride Progress Flag & Street Party 1pm** An afternoon of family-friendly workshops, performances, panel discussion and a delicious food court. Performances from LGBTQ+ superstar **Allan Jay**, Steps tribute act **5,6,7,8** and plenty of laughs with **Classic Connee. Sirena Hart** will run a Drag Art Masterclass and **Paul James** from **Kryolan** will deliver a **Make Up Workshop** for the trans community.

Panel discussions include *Diversity in the LGBTQ+ Community* with **Yogesh Taylor, Vinay Jobanputra (Bolly Queer),** *Women in the LGBTQ+ Community* with **Kelly Jones**, *Disability and the Queer Community* with **Martin Roberts, Daryl Beeton,** *Parenting in the LGBTQ+ Community* with **Thurrock Fostering Team**, **Paul Mc Gingle-White** c2c Rail, Hate Crime with **Essex Police**, **Thurrock Council**, *Transgender Awareness* with **Claire Prosho**.

Sports and representation featuring **Colchester Kings, Rochester Hawks, Pride of Irons** and Television, Film and Stage Queer Representations. Plus **VideoClub** present a curated selection of short films by LGBTQ+ filmmakers in and around the **Thameside Complex foyer.**  

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ccf5e2b0-a8d4-4093-b513-6d4575ce61ac-e1714472922413.jpg)

JORDAN GRAY

**Great Big Queer Cabaret** at **8pm**, **£5\.** Party time with local born celebrity and funny person **Jordan Gray**, joined with friends to bring you night of fabulous fun. Acts include **Cortina Ford** performing Burlesque, with more acts to be announced. This will be followed by **Thurrock Pride After Party** from **10.30pm** – **until late** (free if you purchase a ticket to the cabaret), which is hosted by **Mamabear** in the **Thameside Theatre Foyer, 18+.**