Thousands gather in Manchester for emotional end to Pride weekend with candlelight vigil

The four-day Manchester Pride 2024 concluded with a powerful candlelit vigil in Sackville Gardens to honour those lost to HIV and celebrate community solidarity

A sea of candles lit up Manchester’s Gay Village on Bank Holiday Monday evening as thousands gathered in Sackville Gardens for the annual Candlelight Vigil, a moving finale to Manchester Pride 2024.

The vigil, organised by the George House Trust, offered a quiet and reflective end to four days of colour, celebration and protest. The event paid tribute to lives lost to HIV and AIDS, acknowledged progress in LGBTQ+ rights, and highlighted the work still to be done to end stigma and improve inclusion.

This year’s theme focused on celebrating queer women. Among those who took to the stage were author and campaigner Hafsa Qureshi, DJ Paulette, and performer Kate O’Donnell, all of whom shared stories and words of unity through speeches, spoken word and music.

Lucky Roy Singh, curator of the Queer Asian Takeover, called for continued activism, telling the crowd: “Silence is not an option when it comes to HIV and AIDS.” Leading chants of “silent equals death, action equals life”, Singh reminded attendees of the historic and ongoing role of protest in LGBTQ+ progress.

Humour and music were also part of the vigil. A standout moment came from comedian Holly Redford Jones, whose rendition of the Ghostbusters theme, cheekily rebranded as "Lesbians", sparked laughter amid the solemnity.

A touching tribute was paid to Jackie Hagan, the late poet and performer known for her vibrant humour and activism. Actor Nickie Miles-Wildin encouraged mourners to "summon the power of disco" in Hagan’s memory, even recalling the time she drank prosecco from her prosthetic leg.

Sixteen-year-old Leo, a young trans person introduced to the crowd alongside his friend Charlie, told those listening: “To support me as a young trans person, please treat me as an actual human being and not as if I’m rubbish.”

DJ Kath McDermott later urged the audience to raise their candles high, stating: “Visibility for lesbians and queer women is often sidelined, and our support for people with AIDS and HIV is too easily forgotten.”

Her words echoed the central message of the night: that solidarity remains crucial. “We must never forget how the whole of the LGBTQ+ community came together at a time of crisis to fight prejudices in the face of adversity,” she said.

The evening closed with a euphoric performance of A Deeper Love by Aretha Franklin, led by DJ Paulette and a 12-piece orchestra. Confetti and fireworks brought the ceremony, and Pride weekend, to a spectacular and emotional end.

George House Trust CEO Darren Knight said the vigil remains a vital reminder: “Each year, as Manchester Pride closes with the focus on HIV, it gives people time to reflect and remember those we’ve lost. It’s also a chance to tell everyone there’s still lots of work to do, to educate, to prevent, and to tackle HIV stigma.”