Belfast Pride officially kicks off tomorrow, and they have a jam-packed schedule from the launch tomorrow night to Parade Day on the 4th August – and beyond, with post-Pride events into the bargain.

Here are just a few highlights – full info can be found here (PDF) and some other choice events on our calendar!

26th July (TONIGHT!)

LASI Legal Info Session at 7pm in LGBT Centre, Waring Street.

Jenna Boyce from law firm Higgins, Hollywood & Deazley will return to LASI after a successful first session. This second session will look at civil partnerships, property and family issues.

27th July

Belfast Pride Launch and Awards 2012 at 7pm in The Northern Whig, Waring Street, Belfast.

Come and join Belfast Pride at the Northern Whig for our fabulous Cocktail reception as they toast the launch of Belfast “Pride at Sea” 2012.

Awards up for grabs include: Float of Year 2011; Supporter of the year (LGBT and non-LGBT); Best Club Night; Entertainer of the Year; and People’s Choice awards.

28th July

Out ‘n’ About Pride Walk 2012 at 11:45am starting from Mynt Park (12 noon from Malone House in Barnett’s Park).

Get your shoes on, and enjoy a relaxing walk along the Lagan Valley and its surrounding countryside and hear about its history.

No booking required and this walk is as easy as they come! The route will be from Barnett’s Park to Lagan Valley, Giant’s Ring, Minnowburn Wood, the Secret Garden and Shaw’s Bridge. Wear sturdy shoes, trainers or boots, and bring along a waterproof jacket, plus a simple packed lunch and some water.

Women’s Drop-In at 12-6pm in the LGBT Centre, Waring Street, Belfast.

LASI & Lesbian Line host a women’s health day from 12-4pm and a drop-in from 3-6pm. Manicure? Pedicure? Massage? Why not get down to LASI for some pampering and health checks? The perfect opportunity to de-stress and relax! Contact cara@lasionline.org to register

GLYNI Does Scratch! from 8pm at Scratch Nightclub, Lower Crescent, Belfast.

Safe, legal and alcohol-free club night for young people including under-18s from 8 to 10pm, followed by over-18s from 10:30pm. Bands playing include Uber Glitterati and Conney Pixel vs the Nanobots. For more information contact mark.brown@cara-friend.org.uk

29th July

Belfast Pride’s Lark in the Park at 12 noon in Ormeau Park, Belfast.

It’s back and it’s bigger and better than ever! Join Belfast Pride for a Lark in the Park – an afternoon of fun and games, sport and entertainment – with help from the boys and girls from GLYNI and LASI’s Family Fun Day adding to the fun.

Activities include 5-a-Pride Soccer Comp; Belfast Front Runners first Pride 5k Run; Pride Footie Final; Basketball Comp; Footie, Gaelic Footie and Rugby displays; An Poc Fada. And much more besides!

30th July

LASI Confidence Building Workshop at 7pm in the LASI Community Space, LGBT Centre, Waring Street, Belfast.

Helen Clarke will facilitate a confidence building workshop looking at self esteem and positive thinking. For more details, visit lasionline.org.

“The Dangerous World of Gay ‘Cures’”: Amnesty Pride Lecture 2012 + Q&A at 7:30pm in the Europa Hotel, Great Victoria Street, Belfast.

In 2010 journalist Patrick Strudwick published “The Ex-Gay Files: The Bizarre World of Gay-to-Straight Conversion” in The Independent, chronicling a year of undercover investigation of therapists claiming to be able to “convert” gays and lesbians to heterosexuality.

Strudwick will speak about his investigation into “gay conversion therapy” and how that is used here and across the world as an attempt to negate gay identity and human rights for gay people.

The event will be hosted by the BBC’s William Crawley.

31st July

Pride Talks Back 2012 at 6:30pm in the Europa Hotel, Great Victoria Street, Belfast.

Belfast Pride’s Annual debate by the folks on the hill returns to the Europa Hotel. It’s your chance to put your questions to those in power in Northern Ireland! Belfast Pride is pleased to say that all the five main political parties will be represented this year in what promises to be an entertaining and engaging evening.

Hosted by William Crawley, this year’s event will tackle all the big issues on the year, it is definitely not to be missed! Whether you are Orange or Green or something in between, it’s your chance to hear what the policitians have to say on the issues that matter to you.

Divided, Radical and Gorgeous (DRAG) at 7:30pm on The Belfast Barge, Lanyon Quay, Belfast.

Following sell-out performances on the Belfast Barge in OUTBURST 2011, Northern Ireland’s first publicly funded gay theatre company returns to bring you this delectable gender-bending production, revamped and extended with all new trannie bits!

Divided, Radical and Gorgeous is a one man/woman show exploring growing up and coming out during the Troubles. A naked man bares his soul in stories of hard-assed paramilitaries and even harder drinking psychic relatives, all the while transforming himself into a torch-song singing temptress before your eyes.

Funny and poignant, D.R.A.G. is a tale that could only have been born in Belfast. Book your seat early for a cross-dressing adventure through a very queer conflict story.

Designed and Directed by Niall Rea. £7 from belfastpride.com.

2nd August

Ladies’ Night Costume Party at 9pm in the Shoe Factory, Union Street, Belfast.

The annual Belfast Pride Ladies’ Night returns this year with a location change. Most importantly its a Costume Party! Boys can come too, as long as they are in a costume. Hosted by the most fabulous Gemma Hutton with music being provided by the ever supportive Diva Dolls.

Drinks promos all night, and prizes for best costume and best team effort! Only £5 entry, or £3 if you are in a costume.

4th August

The Big Pride Breakfast at 10am in The Northern Whig, Waring Street, Belfast.

It’s an early start for the Parade this year and we won’t be waiting on late comers! Make sure you’re there on time by joining us for The Big Pride Breakfast! Join us for a morning of culinary delights and camp fun whilst you think about those last minute costume modifications and plan the full day.

It’s also the ideal place to meet up with friends before heading round to Party in the Square which opens at 11am!

The Annual Belfast Pride Parade assembles at 11:30am, departs from Custom House Square at 12 sharp!

It’s the big day… the Annual Belfast Pride parade and the theme this year is “Pride at Sea”! The parade is the largest cross community carnival parade in Belfast and definitely one of the most talked about. Our community, family & retail area at the Lagan Lookout will be open from 11am with the parade starting off at 12 noon sharp!

The route will snake around City Hall and down Castle Place before ending up back at Custom House Square for the biggest LGBT party Belfast has ever seen!

Post-Parade Events!

Belfast Pride culminates with a myriad of post-parade celebrations, including:

The Party in the Square at Custom House Square (1:30pm-7pm) and the Families in the Square beside the Big Fish on Donegal Quay (1:30pm-4:30pm).

Later in the night, the city comes alive at the Scratch After Party at Scratch Nightclub (from 9pm), Rainbow’s Belfast Pride After Party (from 9pm) and the Kremlin’s Pride Ball (from 7pm).

5th August

Queerspace presents “Queer Generations: Personal perspectives on the past, present and future” at 5pm in the Europa Hotel, Great Victoria Street, Belfast.

Liam Clarke, Belfast Telegraph Political Editor, hosts a debate and discussion between older and younger members of the LGBT community, charting highs and lows, ups & downs of Gay Liberation in Northern Ireland.

Hosted with partners GLYNI, QUB LGBT Society and 21+

“What did you do in the Gay Liberation War, Mummy?”

9th August

LASI & Lesbian Film Night at 7pm in the LGBT Centre, Waring Street, Belfast.

LASI & Lesbian Line will host this film night. Why not come along to meet new friends in a relaxing space? BYO popcorn.

For more details, visit lasionline.org.

Launch of “Here” at 7pm in the Beanbag Cinema, Belfast.

LASI will formally launch their new name “Here”. Why not join us for the launch of our short films? This film will tell two women’s life stories.

For more details, visit lasionline.org or call Cara McCann 028 9024 9452.

Belfast Pride:

web / facebook / twitter / full programme (PDF) / hashtags: #bproud2012 #belfastpride #bp2012