DURSLEY is gearing up to host its first Pride event next month. 

Organisers say they want the event, which begins with a parade through Spring Villa to the Chantry Centre, to help others make friends in the LGBT community.

Tyler White, a town councillor and Festive Dursley organiser who is transgender and is transitioning from female to male, said he wants the event to be as popular as Brighton Pride.

He said: “From a really young age, I was classed as a ‘tomboy’ but I think I’ve always known since I was 9/10 that I was a boy. I'm hoping people will see how many more LGBT people there are in the community."

“It’s good to make friends who have gone through similar experiences. You can ask them, ‘Have you been through this? How has your family found it?’ 

“I enjoy helping the community and have ideas for how we can make it a better and more inclusive place for everyone.”

The parade will begin at Spring Villa and will be led by a rainbow-coloured fire engine.

All attractions will be free for the public and other displays will include glitter face painting, a BBQ, stalls, live music and performances from local Gloucestershire drag queens.

The event, on Saturday, August 20, is being supported by Dursley Town Council, Festive Dursley, Dursley Town Ladies FC, Pride in Gloucestershire and Dursley Police. 

John Kay, town clerk at Dursley Town Council, said: “It’s an event that hasn’t been held in Dursley before and it's nice to see something to represent that group of people.”

Pride is a public event, usually involving a parade, to celebrate gay and other LGTBQ+ people, culture and experiences.

Volunteers will also be selling milkshakes in memory of fellow town councillor Anja Rowston, who died last month at the age of 33, to raise funds for the Cheltenham General Hospital's Oncology Unit.

Stroud Pride, which began four years ago, is the nearest pride event; Dursley has yet to host a pride.

The event will take place outside Spring Villa at 1pm on Saturday, August 20. More information can be found at www.facebook.com/Dursley-Pride.