Trans Pride returns to Brighton next week to mark its tenth anniversary with an event that is “bigger and better than ever”.

Some 20,000 people are expected to attend a weekend of festivities for Trans Pride Brighton, the first and largest event of its kind in the UK.

Alongside the annual protest march through the city and celebration in Brunswick Square, organisers are hosting their first-ever fundraising gala at Brighton Dome, featuring some of the biggest trans and non-binary stars in Britain, including Horsham star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Dakota Schiffer.

Sarah Savage, one of the organisers of the event, reflected on how Trans Pride has grown from attracting 800 people in 2013 to tens of thousands each year.

She said: “To see our event get so much support, not just from the trans community, but also from cisgender allies, has been really heartwarming and affirming to me that we are supported and loved.”

The event puts community at its heart, featuring a range of trans and non-binary artists and community stalls.

The Argus: Thousands are expected to take to the streets for Trans Pride's annual protest marchThousands are expected to take to the streets for Trans Pride's annual protest march

Sarah, who recently won a Pride Award from LGBTQ+ magazine Attitude, said that Trans Pride is more important than ever, given the nature of the national conversation around transgender rights.

She said: “Our rights are actively being debated in Parliament. We are at the centre of a culture war and it feels like a really oppressive environment to exist in if you’re trans or non-binary in the UK today.”

Sarah particularly highlighted remarks made recently by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak which discussed trans women when addressing fellow Conservative MPs.

His comments were greeted by laughter in the room.

“It was disappointing to see the Prime Minister mocking trans women,” Sarah said.

“I don’t think he would feel the same if someone was mocking him for his skin colour - they are both protected characteristics.

“We deserve the same respect as anyone else.”

For Sarah, Trans Pride is about coming together as a community in celebration and solidarity.

“Having a day where we can find our community and connect with each other on a basis of joy, celebration, love and solidarity - that’s so important to have right now,” she said.

“Just give us one day of the year when we can enjoy ourselves.”

Festivities begin with a film screening at Duke of York’s Picturehouse on Thursday evening, followed by a fundraising gala at the Brighton Dome on Friday night.

The protest march will leave from Jubilee Square at 11am on Saturday, July 15, before heading towards Brunswick Square for the event’s park celebration.

An after-party will take the celebrations through into Saturday night, with a beach party taking place near Brighton Palace Pier the following day.