Southend’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents will be parading on the streets this summer to show that the town is a welcoming place for their community.

In order to celebrate Southend’s sexual diversity, representatives from organisations including Transpire, Estuary Fringe Festival, Southend Unison, and Southend Hospital are collaborating to host the town’s first Gay Pride parade since 2003.

Until now, Southend residents wishing to celebrate ‘Pride’ – a nationwide series of LGBT festivities that take a positive stance against discrimination – have had to travel to Chelmsford.

Southend Pride organiser Dan Turpin, 29, a charity worker, of Westbourne Grove, Westcliff, said: “Our event will make Pride accessible to the growing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Southend.

“Do we think Southend is ready for Pride? We say unanimously yes.

“Southend now has two openly gay venues - the Cliff in Hamlet Road and Hush bar in Clarence Road. It’s about showing people the other side of Essex.”

Mr Turpin admits that Southend Pride won’t be on the same scale as in Pride Brighton or Manchester, and is hoping for 2,500 attendees to join the 150 who will be dressing up for the main parade.

He’s keen to emphasize that Southend Pride will be a family-friendly event.

He added: “Its not just about our sexuality.

“Our culture is diverse in Southend and we are celebrating all of that.”

Gay Pride is growing in popularity up and down the country, and neighbouring Colchester held its first Pride parade last summer. Southend Pride will be held from July 14 to 21, opening with disco, funk and soul music at the Railway. As well as the main parade on the Saturday, for which the High Street will be pedestrianised from 12pm, Pride will hold an LGBT film screening, and a Drag Queens versus Drag Kings night.

Anyone wishing to donate to Southend Pride can do so at gofundme.com/bringing-pride-to-southend. Email info@southendpride.com for more information.