KentOnline

bannermobile

News

Sport

Business

What's On

Advertise

Contact

Other KM sites

CORONAVIRUS WATCH KMTV LIVE SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTERS LISTEN TO OUR PODCASTS LISTEN TO KMFM
SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE
News

Hundreds celebrate Dover Pride’s sixth parade despite rain

By: James Pallant jpallant@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 12:09, 25 August 2024

Updated: 17:50, 25 August 2024

Hundreds of people filled the streets of Dover with colour and jubilation yesterday for the town’s sixth annual Pride March.

Despite intermittent rain, organisers say Dover Pride was a fun and well-attended celebration with music, drag acts and dancing.

Left to right, The Diety, Poppy Love, Miss Di-Vour and Emma Panda sporting fabulous outfits at the Dover Pride March 2024. Picture: John Doughty Photography

The organisation’s co-chair, Frazer Doyle said the day-long party sent an important message.

“Despite the weather, the community still turned up in high spirits and marched all the way through the high street and persevered throughout the day- I was really proud to see it,” he said.

“We even saw the same people who came along at the start stay with us all day because they know how important it is to have Dover Pride, support it and allow the LGBTQIA+ community to be visible and make sure Dover is a more of a safe, inclusive and accepting town for everyone.”

mpu1

The fun kicked off at 11am outside Dover Town Hall with an estimated 500 people marching down Biggin Street through the heart of town.

An estimated 400 people filled the streets of Dover for the town's annual Pride parade. Picture: John Doughty Photography
Pixie Polite performed at the Dover Pride March 2024. Picture: Perry O'Bree

The festively dressed participants stopped in for entertainment at La Salle Verte coffee shop, and DJ sets the Art Club bar and Market Square.

And about 7pm, crowds coalesced at the main show at Roman Lawn.

There, drag performers, Betty Late'N Never, Reya Sunn and Poppy Love wowed crowds with musical numbers, with Poppy kicking off her set with a number entitled ‘And They Called it Poppy Love’.

“Being featured at Dover Pride meant a lot to me, it was my first main stage performance, and the attendees were some of the best I’ve ever performed for,” said Reya Sunn.

Poppy Love wowed crowds with her performance on the main stage at drag sos on main stage Picture: John Doughty Photography
Frazer Doyle and Perry O-Bree attended the Dover Pride March 2024 in brightly coloured outfits. Picture: John Doughty Photography
Mayor of Dover Cllr Ed Biggs speaking at the Dover Pride March 2024. Picture: John Doughty Photography

Bettie Late N’ Ever added: “As a beginner in drag, being able to perform on a big scale such as a pride event was more than I could ever ask for.”

Pixie Polite also entertained spectators with an exciting musical set.

She came dressed in a knee-length tiger-print dress with bright neon-yellow hair.

mpu2

Reflecting on her participation in the event, she remarked: “Having Visibility and diversity on full display in places where it’s easy to feel isolated as a LGBTQ+ person is so important.

“I love doing prides in small towns where grassroots community building gives people a sense of belonging, and reminds the general public why we still need to fight for our rights.”

The stage’s main host, Miss Di Vour wore a knee-high high-heel boots, with fish-net stockings and a leopard-print top.

“Hosting Dover Pride has been one of the biggest honours of my life,” she said.

“Growing up queer in Dover was always… interesting. So being able to return as my authentic - if not silly - self and to have the opportunity to host the celebration of LGBTQIA+ identities within the town is an absolute privilege.”

Once the sun went down, the after party got going at Dover Pride After Dark Party at The Dizzy Donkey cocktail bar and didn’t stop until 4am.

Despite the rain, Dover Pride 2024 was a colourful and jubilant event, from right to left: Emma Panda, The Diety, Havoc, Miss Di Vour, Frazer Doyle, Crunchy Noodle, Dee Lexia, Bettie Late N’ Ever, Poppy Love and Gi Gi Sings. Picture: John Doughty Photography

Dover Pride co-chair Emma Panda thanked attendees for coming out in force despite the rain.

“Wet, wild and proud!” she said. “I cannot thank the community enough for braving weather to support the day!”

Read more

More by this author

sticky

© KM Group - 2024