HUNDREDS of thousands of revellers enjoyed a weekend in the sun as Brighton Pride returned for the first time in two years.
The streets were packed with people, colour and noise for the belated 30th anniversary of the annual extravaganza which was delayed due to the pandemic.
The city was abuzz on Saturday as hundreds of thousands visited, while Sunday was slightly calmer but also packed as expected.
One of the main fixtures of Pride, the massive community parade, started at Hove Lawns in the Kingsway with many familiar faces including leader of the council Phelim Mac Cafferty, Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Hove MP Peter Kyle and Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner.
Paul Kemp, managing director for Brighton and Hove Pride, said: "After two years of not being able to celebrate, we are thrilled that Brighton Pride returned to our city for its 30th anniversary. It has been a fantastic weekend of “love, protest and unity”, our theme for this year.
“The LGBTQ+ community parade kicked the weekend off in style with local charities and organisations, as well as representatives of other Pride organisations including Ukraine Pride and human rights activists right at the front marching through the city, delighting the participants and people who took to the streets to watch the event.
“Christina Aguilera put on a showstopping performance for our fundraising event We Are Fabulouso alongside 100 plus other incredible LGBTQ+ artists. It has been a spectacular weekend for our city and LGBTQ+ community, celebrating our 30 years of campaigning while committing to carrying on the fight until we are free to live and love equally."
The parade, which was miles long, started at 11am with hundreds of different groups marching, on large floats, rollerblading and dancing along Kings Road.
It turned left up West Street to the Jubilee Clock Tower, before heading down North Street and past the Royal Pavilion.
Thousands followed it on its slow procession to Preston Park where the We Are Fabuloso festival was being held.
The place was packed out for headline act Christina Aguilera who wowed fans with songs such as Lady Marmalade, Candyman and Dirrty.
Near the Pavilion, people could be seen on top of bus stops, while others lined the streets and even rooftops to get the best seat in the house.
Emergency service workers could be seen dotted around the city, all painted in Pride colours. Some people held signs saying “no cops at Pride”.
Four friends who gave their names as Shirley, Osayi, Melanie and Maddie came to Brighton Pride for the first time and were dressed up for the occasion.
“We’ll certainly be back next year,” they said.
The festival started with drag queen Tia Kofi, before Call Me Loop came on, then L Devine, Bimini from 4.45pm, Raye, Todrick Hall, Ella Henderson at 7.45pm and the long-awaited Christina Aguilera at 9.15pm, greeted by an ecstatic crowd.
There were several other genres for people to enjoy, including the Gaydio Dance Tent which featured lasers, bass and plenty of dancing.
On Sunday, the line-up consisted of Lyra, Cat Burns, Bjorn Again, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Jake Shears and Paloma Faith, who was taking to the stage as The Argus went to press.
There was also a street party along Saint James’s Street in Kemp Town.
Organisers said there were around 300,000 people in the city but Sussex Police said there were only 37 arrests, primarily for drug offences and drunk and disorderly offences.
A spokesman said: "As a force, we work with partners in support of the Pride event organisers to minimise disruption to the local community, prevent crime and disorder and provide a safe and secure environment for those attending Pride as well as the surrounding community.
"Sussex is a force experienced in policing large events such as this and Saturday’s events proceeded as planned, with no major incidents.
"There were 37 arrests made as part of the Brighton Pride operation on Saturday, the overwhelming majority of which related to drug offences and public order offences linked to high levels of intoxication.
The policing operation continued throughout Sunday and we continue to encourage people to enjoy a safe, responsible Pride."
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