Forum’s pride at festival gong

ON parade . . . giant owl Fifi Olivia and the pink birthday cake during this year’s Oldham Pride festival

OLDHAM’S Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Forum (LGBT) scooped the walking entry category at the Manchester Pride Parade.

The group was cheered along the parade route as they walked with Oldham Pride’s giant pink fifth birthday cake and Fifi Olivia, the giant pink owl.

The cake ribbon, made at this year’s Oldham Pride in July, was decorated with details of the forum members’ own lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans heroes, to tie into the theme of Manchester Pride.

One of the group’s main heroes was Michael Causer, whose life had been celebrated and commemorated at Oldham Pride. Michael was an 18-year-old gay man from Liverpool who died after suffering a horrendous homophobic attack a year ago.

Members of Oldham LGBT Forum carried pictures of Michael on the Manchester Pride Parade.

Susan Kirkham, from Oldham LGBT, said: “We were delighted to win, but what was even more heart warming were the massive cheers we got along the way.

Oldham’s LGBT Forum welcomes new members. For more information, e-mail oldhamlgbtforum@oldham. gov.uk.