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Manchester vigil held for HIV victims

28/08/2007

A candlelit vigil was held last night in Manchester in remembrance of those who have died as a result of HIV.

Organisers described the ceremony as the "spiritual heart" of Manchester Pride 2007 – an annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) festival.

There was a minute's silence in Sackville Park, followed by readings, poems and music based around the theme of remembrance.

It marked the end of Manchester Pride, the highlight of which was the colourful and brash Pride Parade on Saturday, which started in Castlefield and ended in the Gay Village.

More than 130 police men and women from forces around the UK took part in the parade and they were led by a police band comprising officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Merseyside and Cheshire.

PC Darren Haslam, chairman of GMP's Lesbian and Gay Staff Affiliation, told the BBC: "This is the largest ever police presence in a gay pride parade.

"I am delighted that it is happening in Manchester, one of the world's most welcoming and diverse cities."

As well as celebration of all things gay, Manchester Pride is a fundraiser for local HIV and LGBT communities and is a supporter of Lesbian Gay Foundation and George House Trust.

According to Manchester Pride organisers, every minute of every day six people become infected by HIV.