Hundreds attend Gay Pride event

Organisers hope Plymouth Pride will become an annual event

People from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups across Devon and Cornwall have travelled to Plymouth for the region's first Gay Pride event.

Hundreds of people packed the city's Guildhall for the official opening of Plymouth Pride by the city's deputy Lord Mayor and deputy Lady Mayoress.

Organisers described the meeting as a "family event with a serious side".

"We're trying to show that people can all live together free from prejudice," said spokeswoman Julia Netherton.

Positive response

Gay Pride events in other English cities like London and Brighton usually take the form of a march through the streets, however organisers decided against it.

Eddie Wearing said it was felt Plymouth was not yet ready for an "out and proud" march.

"There seems to be a bit too much hostility towards gay people for that," he told BBC News.

"I would love to walk down the street holding my boyfriend's hand, but I can't.

"If a man and wife walk down the street holding hands, no-one bats an eyelid, but if I do it's a different subject.

"Eventually though, people will get used to it."

A wide range of activities have been arranged for the two-day event.

"The aim is to have fun and to show there are as many different sexualities in the community now as there are different cultures," Ms Netherton said.

The event has been supported by Devon & Cornwall Police, Plymouth City Council and city businesses.

Organisers said the response in the region had been very positive and they hope to make it an annual event.