Following the success of the first Live In Your Living Room last Friday night Manchester Pride has announced a second line-up for this Friday in its bid to improve life at home for LGBTQ+ people across the world.
Manchester Pride: Live In Your Living Room will see four weeks of Friday night shows made up of performances from Manchester Pride Festivals 2017, 2018 and 2019. Last week, thousands tuned in to Manchester Pride’s YouTube channel to watch past performances from Liberty X, Louisa and Rita Ora. The second evening, this Friday, will feature sets from Youngr, Lady Leshurr & Ex Spice Girl Mel C starting at 8pm.
The four weeks of past performances will be followed by four weeks of yet to be announced new content from the LGBTQ+ charity. Each night viewers will be encouraged to follow Manchester Pride’s social media channels for the chance to enter competitions to win festival tickets and merchandise.
Mark Fletcher, chief executive for Manchester Pride, said; “Our audience has told us that it was so nice in this very unpredictable time to forget their worries and dance around their living rooms last Friday and I can’t wait for us to do it again this week. I was thrilled that so many people joined us and came together to share their experiences on our social channels as they watched.”
“Whilst this activity is primarily about bringing joy to LGBTQ+ in their living rooms we are also asking that anyone who can support us with a donation does so. We recognise that statistically, LGBTQ+ people are at much higher risk of experiencing poor mental health at a time like this and we are keen to keep our activity within our communities at the level it should be and the support of the many organisations and individuals who are often so generous is as invaluable as ever right now.”
The performances will be hosted on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and will only be online for a limited time so viewers need to watch it live or miss out.
Anyone who wants to donate to Manchester Pride can text MCRPRIDE to 70450 to donate £3. Texts cost £3 plus one standard rate message and donors will be opting in to hear more about the charity’s work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If they’d like to give £3 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text MCRPRIDENOINFO to 70450.
Mark Fletcher, chief executive for Manchester Pride said; “I am saddened to see the world’s Pride events being cancelled as a result of COVID-19. As CEO of Manchester Pride I must constantly balance the need for us as a charity to do the work we are committed to and keep my staff, our suppliers and those that attend our events safe. Right now we are having lots of conversations with Manchester City Council about how we can get through the situation with as little impact as possible. As the situation develops, we’ll continue to be guided by the advice of health officials and the Government so that we can make the right decision for LGBTQ+ people and our city.
“As a charity which campaigns for LGBTQ+ equality all year round, we will continue our work online throughout the period of social distancing and we invite Greater Manchester to continue to support our cause. It’s vital that our conversations remain heard.”
