It is with much dismay and sadness that Sparkle – The National Transgender Charity’s Board of Trustees has made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Sparkle Weekend, which was due to take place in Manchester’s Gay Village from Friday 10th until Sunday 12th July.
 

Despite preparations being underway, the health and safety of our visitors is our primary concern, and we believe that we have a responsibility to protect our community and its allies, many of whom may have existing and underlying conditions which put them at more risk from the Coronavirus pandemic.
 

We are currently looking at online strategies through which we can support the marketplace traders who will have lost valuable business, and the smaller charities and support groups who depend on the Sparkle Weekend to connect with new service users. We also plan to hold a series of events later in the year, hopefully supported by our friends in the Gay Village and our corporate partners, where we will celebrate the incredible and rich diversity of the trans, non-binary/genderfluid and intersex community.
 

Finally, we understand that many of you look forward to the Sparkle Weekend as it’s an opportunity to meet with old friends and make new ones, or you may have personal circumstances which prevent you from living as your authentic self the remaining 51 weeks of the year. During this difficult time, remember to reach out to those you may not have spoken to for a while, who may be alone and fearful, and show some kindness to those who are questioning or have started to explore their gender.
 

We hope the Sparkle Weekend will return in 2021 and to see you all there.
 

#UnityinDiversity #TRANSisnotachoiceTRANSPHOBIAis