Sing it, say it, show it – this is your moment! Pride Classical’s new initiative, My Pride Song, features contributions from Dame Joanna Lumley, Julie Hesmondhalgh and Danny Beard

Pride Classical, the organisation dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ history and culture through the power of music, has announced its latest initiative, My Pride Song – a celebration of Pride and allyship.

My Pride Song is calling upon as many LGBTQ+ community members and allies as possible to contribute a video message with the story behind their choice, the importance of the song, and why the music of Pride matters to them.

Contributors will join prominent LGBTQ+ community members and allies who have all joined the movement, including: actress, presenter, author, television producer, and activist Dame Joanna Lumley; winner of season 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Danny Beard; renowned actress and activist, Julie Hesmondhalgh; music teacher known for his work with neurodivergent composers at Pride Classical, Keith Doran; Coronation Street actress, Dolly-Rose Campbell; comedian, Jason Manford; global cabaret queen, Alison Jiear; and Olivier Award-winning actor, Matt Henry MBE.

Sharing her Pride Song, LGBTQ+ ally Dame Joanna Lumley said: “My all-time favourite Pride song is I Am What I Am (by Gloria Gaynor), I just think it’s enchanting because it’s what I believe about everybody, we are just people, all of us across the world, and I love people being proud in exactly what they are!”

Patsy Stone, of Absolutely Fabulous fame, stepped in to say:”Cheers, sweeties! Thanks a lot!”

Danny Beard, winner of season 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, shared their Pride Song: “My Pride anthem is It’s a Sin by the Pet Shop Boys because I first performed it at Manchester Pride and it went off! I feel like it is a homage to the girls, the gays, and the theys that went before us and allowed people like me to do what I do at my age!”

To be part of My Pride Song, and share your own message, simply submit a portrait video to the official Pride Classical website, or via the via Storiboard app, or even visit Manchester Central Library to record it live and watch all of the other submissions on the interactive screen. The videos will also be showcased across Pride Classical’s social channels and with key media.

My Pride Song was born out of and inspired by Pride Classical, a brand new event that celebrated the music and history of the LGBTQ+ community. Premiering at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom and Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, across the opening weekend of Pride Month in June 2023, Pride Classical presented brand new arrangements of beloved songs by iconic artists, performed. by a full professional orchestra of LGBTQ+ musicians and allies.

Follow @prideclassical for more updates on My Pride Song