Pride celebrations kick off in Bishop Auckland with music and famous faces
Drag Race stars and Eastenders actors were some of the special guests at this year's Bishop Auckland Pride.
This year's event took place at Bishop Auckland College, and featured special guest appearances from Eastender's Cheryl Fergison and Ru Paul's Drag Race winner, Danny Beard.
Despite the grey clouds for most of the day, there was an array of colour and sunshine as people turned out for a day of celebration.
People were draped in flags, families were having picnics, people were getting their faces painted, and there was even karaoke on offer.
The main stage at Bishop Auckland Pride saw performances from a Jess Glynne tribute act and the ABBA experience, before Danny Beard took to the stage at 8:30pm
There was plenty for children and families to do too, with fairground rides, a bouncy castle and a soft play area.
As well as activities and events outside, inside the college there was a student exhibition called 'Inclusion', an interactive video installation called Endless Love Tapes, (unscripted, three-minute reflections on what love means to people) and a guided meditation and yoga zone.
Before her appearance at Bishop Auckland Pride, ex-EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison spoke to The Northern Echo about the continued importance of Pride events.
Cheryl said: "Coming to places like Bishop Auckland, it is important the whole community knows that we are all diverse, all inclusive, and it is about community and education at the end of the day.
"And if we can do that with amazing events like this, getting families together, having great family days out, but also supporting the LGBTQ+ community. That's what it is all about".
Cheryl attended Bishop Auckland Pride with her son, Alex, who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Cheryl added: "I've always been an ally for the LGBTQ+ community for as long as I can remember.
"My son Alex is also part of the community, so we do Pride events together now. I am absolutely honoured to be known as a hun, apparently, and I love it. I have done Pride events for a few years now and I'm so happy to be able to do it with my son as well.
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"At the end of the day, what are we called? Humankind. Let's just start doing that to each other".
As well as an appearance from Cheryl, there were various live music acts throughout the day, including Vengaboyz, before Danny Beard closed this year's Bishop Auckland Pride Festival.
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