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Economic Impacts of Gay Pride Remembrance 

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Economic Impacts of Gay Pride Remembrance 

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The streets of Manchester will be turned into a big colourful party this weekend with Manchester Pride's flagship event, The Big Weekend.

And it is not just members of the LGBT community flying the rainbow flag, as more businesses than ever are supporting the fight for equality.

With official partners ranging from airlines to property firms, companies are signing up to try to stamp out prejudice.

The three day celebration will once again take place in and around Manchester city centre, where tens of thousands of people will gather to watch a festival of live music from Friday to Monday and celebrate all things LGBT.

Thomas Cook Airlines and Manchester Airport are official sponsors of The Big Weekend and the 'The Thomas Cook Airlines USA Stage.'

Marking their support, the airline has adorned one of its fleet - an A321 operating short haul routes - with a special rainbow edition of its sunny heart logo.

The UK's third biggest airport has sponsored for six years with Thomas Cook Airlines being onboard for the last three.

The aircraft made its first flight with the new rainbow livery last week to Heraklion, and will carry this multi-coloured logo for up to a year.

In addition, Thomas Cook Airlines crew can choose to wear a rainbow logo pin alongside their uniform badge throughout August and September.

Christoph Debus, chief airlines officer at Thomas Cook Group, said: "This confirms our on-going support of Manchester Pride and its bank holiday celebration The Big Weekend, as well as other pride events across the UK, that celebrate the diverse communities we live and work in. We wanted to do something extra special that our customers could share with us to mark this year's celebrations."

Collette Roche, interim MD of Manchester Airport, which partners in the sponsorship with the airline, said: "It gives us great pride to see one of our biggest carriers launch such a forward-thinking initiative in the run up to Manchester Pride's The Big Weekend.

"As co-sponsors of The Big Weekend we are delighted to be the first airport to welcome and see Thomas Cook Airlines' rainbow heart aircraft take to the skies. I am sure it will prove popular with staff, passengers and aviation enthusiasts alike, as it jets around Europe."

Mark Fletcher, CEO for Manchester Pride, said; " It's a proud moment to see such a large organisation as Thomas Cook Airlines outwardly displaying their support for LGBT people around the world."

City Airport & Heliport (Manchester Barton Aerodrome) also announced its first 'Pride in Aviation' Event, in conjunction with Manchester Pride.

The free event, taking place on Sunday 27 August and coinciding with Manchester Pride, has been created to demonstrate and encourage LGBT acceptance within the Aviation community, whilst also promoting the pride that all those involved and supporting aviation have with the sport, hobby and, for many, their flying career.

Nick Duriez, Airport Director said: "City Airport is delighted to be hosting what we believe may be the first Pride in Aviation event in the UK. The event will run in conjunction with Manchester Pride, providing an alternative family-friendly vibe for anyone wanting to celebrate with us.

"At City Airport, we are committed to promoting the enjoyment of aviation to encompass anyone with an interest, regardless of age, race, colour or sexuality and this event firmly cements our effort to extend the world of aviation to all.

"Our events are hugely popular in the local community and offer a great chance to see what's on offer here at City Airport. With our onsite Café Bar, plus viewing and picnic areas, we provide a welcoming environment for all ages."

The event will feature a daytime Pride Fly-In with free landings and overnight camping, followed by an evening of live music and entertainment from 7pm with live music from cover band ALIBI and transgender singer Ellie-X in City Airport's 'Runway 26' Café Bar. Food will be available until 9pm.

Marching in the Manchester Pride Parade will mark #BuildingEquality's first foray to a Pride event in the north of England, after three successful years marching at London's Pride Parade.

The group marched together to celebrate and champion the contribution that the LGBT+ community make to the industry, and to help to promote a more diverse and inclusive industry whilst encouraging future talent to consider a career in the built environment.

A rainbow-covered JCB digger, supplied in collaboration with Mace, Balfour Beatty, Flannery and A-Plant, joined the marchers and is set to join the group at Manchester Pride.

#BuildingEquality was founded in 2015 by representatives of AmecFoster Wheeler, Arup, Balfour Beatty and Lendlease.

Since then the group has grown from strength to strength. At the group's first attendance at London's Pride Parade in 2015, 40 people joined - and this year in London over 300 people marched.

Luke Ives, Chair of the Manchester Pride #BuildingEquality committee, said: "Marching at Manchester Pride will bring together representatives from 13 companies that work across the North-West, including construction companies, consultants, contractors, designers, engineers, property developers and professional bodies in the built environment sector.

"It's so important that we demonstrate to people both inside and outside our industry that the LGBT+ community is already making a real contribution to the construction sector day-to-day - and that it can be place where diversity is truly celebrated."

He adds: "#BuildingEquality is paving the way for an open and inclusive industry, which promotes discussion on equality and diversity, opening channels for issues and opportunities to be acted upon. Making our industry more diverse benefits everyone - it means we will have access to a wider range of perspectives, ensures that we're encouraging creativity and ultimately will improve performance and drive innovation."

Steve Gillingham, Director of the North for Mace adds: "Mace is proud to be marching in Manchester Pride for the first time.

"We recognise that having a company made up of people with diverse backgrounds means that we can give a better perspective on our clients challenges and deliver better outcomes for the people of our great city."

Sponsors also include Arnold Clarke, Autotrader, BoohooMan.com, Co-operative, Enterprise, Metrolink, Northern Rail, Pure Gym, Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotels and Swinton Insurance.

The Manchester Pride parade will pass the Great Northern as it makes its way along Peter Street on Saturday.

The flamboyant procession sets off from Liverpool Road in Castlefield at 12.30pm before winding its way to Fairfield Street.

The Big Weekend runs from Friday August 25 to Monday August 28, celebrating Manchester's LGBT culture with a musical line up headlined by Melanie C, Example and Clean Bandit.

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Businesses are backing this weekend's Manchester Pride

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The streets of Manchester will be turned into a big colourful party this weekend with Manchester Pride's flagship event, The Big Weekend. And it is not just members of the LGBT community flying the rainbow flag, as more businesses than ever are supporting the fight for equality.

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LGBT Foundation – A national charity with LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.

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A national charity with LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.

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location of the short film

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The location of the portrait

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ed-Edinburgh's Hogmanay - Torchlight Procession reduced credit Lloyd Smith.preview.jpg

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Start of Parade route

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The location of the portrait and end of parade route

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Manchester plays a huge part in the UK's queer liberation movement. In 1985, Manchester City Council provided funding for a two-week celebration held at Oxford Street for the gay community. Manchester Pride was born.

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Manchester plays a huge part in the UK's queer liberation movement. In 1985, Manchester City Council provided funding for a two-week celebration held at Oxford Street for the gay community. Manchester Pride was born.