Ipswich to welcome first Party in the Park – a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ culture
Ipswich is to welcome its very first Party in the Park – a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ culture – on 12 July. “We want to create a safe space for absolutely all identities,” said committee-member Phil Harper, who is a trans rights researcher and senior lecturer in health and social care at Birmingh
Ipswich is to welcome its very first Party in the Park – a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ culture – on 12 July.
“We want to create a safe space for absolutely all identities,” said committee-member Phil Harper, who is a trans rights researcher and senior lecturer in health and social care at Birmingham Newman University, specialising in dementia, health inequalities, LGBTQ+ healthcare and ageing.
Phil also performs as drag queen Philli Mi Up, who will be joining other stars of the drag scene for the summer event.
The committee is keen to emphasise that the festival will be a welcoming and supportive space for those in the trans community.
“You need to focus on all identities to make it a truly safe space,” explained Phil.
“That’s particularly important for our trans family, to make sure that everybody under the trans umbrella, be they a trans woman, trans man, non-binary, that they feel safe, and that we 100% believe that trans woman are women, that trans men are men, and that non-binary people are valid.”
Organisers are particularly excited to welcome a Swedish pop star and will be hosting tribute acts to Coldplay and Whitney Houston, as well as performers from LGBTQ+ communities.
Party in the Park will include live performances, a funfair, food stalls and a shopping village in the town’s Trinity Park.
