WORCESTER’s first Gay Pride festival has received a mixed reaction on your Worcester News website.

The Worcester Pride event on Pitchcroft is coming to the city on June 26 next year in what organisers have promised will be an ‘electric’ festival that will boost trade, culture and tourism.

But plans for the festival, which will include food market stalls, dance and beer tents, family activities and a fashion show, attracted varied views on worcesternews.co.uk.

Chrispeacockpeacock said: “I’m as gay as the day is long but I don’t feel the need to mince around banging on about gay issues and doing the YMCA dance at 4am on a Wednesday. I hope they have a decent night but think gay should be something you are not something you do.”

Sir Smeg said: “Why do minorities insist on shouting their ‘difference’ from the norm at every opportunity. I don’t go around telling people everyone I see that I’m straight/white/C of E/British, what-have-you. Some citizens consider these minority views quite offensive and disturbing.”

Georgie Dragon said: “People who plan these pointless, ego-boosting events deserve to be a victim of the non-existent homophobia that they claim is prevalent in this country.”

Vigornian said: “The gay scene has never really been my cup of tea. But going on the popularity of pride events across the country, it will no doubt prove popular with others.

“I’ve never been political about my sexuality, and I never advertise the fact that I am gay, because there is no need to. But when it comes to some of the comments here, it just goes to highlight the ‘small city mentality’ that is and will forever be prevalent in Worcester.”

However, many backed the event.

Mr St Johns said: “I think it may just be an advert for an upcoming event (which sounds great), and if read through, mentions it is inclusive of anyone who would wish to attend.”

Karl 88 said: “This festival will be good for business and will bring money into the local area. I think it’s great that Worcester is keeping up with the 21st century.”

Ted Elgar said: “I think those carping on about ‘minorities’ or ‘political correctness’ miss the point; it’s about having a party; remember them, you boring shower?”

The evening will focus on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual community and organisers estimate that there are about 5,500 people in this community in the city.