Bermuda’s Pride parade is set to return to Hamilton this month as part of a weekend of activities celebrating the island’s LGBTQ+ community.

OutBermuda, Bermuda’s only LGBTQ+ focused charity, said that this year’s event will include a parade, parties, a discussion forum and a worship service, all taking place between August 26 and August 28.

Olatunji Tucker, a member of the OutBermuda board and the committee chairman of Bermuda Pride, said that the team was working to ensure that this year’s event is inclusive and memorable, encouraging the community to come together.

“Celebrating who we are and showing our diversity is beautiful,” Mr Tucker said. “Pride offers education for the masses, support for the LGBTQ+ community, a chance to showcase our love for each other and an opportunity to truly be ourselves.

“I hope that following our 2022 Pride celebration, Bermuda will take another step forward in understanding the LGBTQ+ community and recognise that we are all in this together. Let’s support each other and continue to love and live.”

The charity said that it is hoped this year’s event, themed Love and Live, will build on the success of the island’s first Pride event in 2019, which brought thousands of people to Hamilton to celebrate.

The events are scheduled to begin on August 26 with the LGBTQ+ 101 forum at the Hamilton Princess entitled How to Love and Live.

The celebrations will pick up on August 27 with the Pride parade — set to start and conclude at Victoria Park — and block party in Hamilton, followed by the Love and Live Night Party at Docksiders.

The weekend will continue on August 28 with a Pride Worship Service at Wesley Methodist Church and a beach party.

The charity said that the night party and premium beach party experience will be ticketed, but the other Bermuda Pride events will be free to the public.

A spokesman said that the charity was looking for volunteers to help out over the weekend to ensure the event’s success.

The spokesman said: “Our volunteer co-ordinators are professional and well organised, so you’re in great hands.

“Among other tasks, volunteers will be responsible for the eight hydration stations that’ll line the parade route on Hamilton’s streets.

“We’ll be prepared for the likelihood of warm August weather.”

Tiffany Paynter, OUTBermuda’s first executive director, added that the charity was grateful to those who have volunteered their time and expertise to make Pride possible, along with the event’s donors and sponsors.

“All the funds raised support the event itself, and all remaining funds go to assist the great work that OutBermuda is doing and plans to do over the next year,” she said. “It's an exciting time for us."

Sponsors for this year’s event include Ariel Re, RenaissanceRe, SiriusPoint, Appleby, Axis, Butterfield bank, Carey Olsen and PartnerRe.

Those who are interested in more information or purchasing official Bermuda Pride merchandise can visit pride.bm.