Music rang through Hamilton this morning as Bermuda Pride brought thousands of supporters to the streets of the City.

Revellers danced, blew whistles and waved rainbow flags as the parade marched from Victoria Park down Front Street and back.

After the parade, celebrations continued with drinks, treats, photo opportunities and face painting at the park, along with a variety of live performances throughout the afternoon.

Tiffany Paynter, the executive director of OutBermuda, said she was almost overwhelmed by the outpouring of support the event received.

“The turnout is even bigger than last year,” she said. “The atmosphere is fantastic. Everybody is prepped and ready to have fun.

“It has been an amazing morning so far, and I can’t wait to get the performers on stage. It’s just going to be more and more fun. We wouldn’t mind a little more cloud cover, but I feel so grateful. My heart is full.”

Ms Paynter added that the event had lived up to its theme of “Homecoming”, bringing back many Bermudians who had left the island.

“Hundreds of people have messaged us and told us that basically they are coming home, be that from Puerto Rico, Portugal, London, Texas, Vancouver, Toronto. All over,” she said. “I tried to get my friend from Australia, but maybe next year.

“It has been a momentous Pride and a true homecoming for those who have returned to the island.”

Alice Bennett said that while temperatures were high, it was important for people to show up in support of Bermuda’s LGBTQ+ community.

“I am so proud of our people today,” she said. “The turnout has been wonderful. At the end of the day, it is the summer, so a lot of people are off island, but people rocked up and made the effort in the heat. I love it.

“There are families, there are older people, there are people I haven’t seen in 30 years.

“I have seen people who have come back to the island for this, and they brought friends, so I hope they have a wonderful time in Bermuda and, if this is their first experience, I hope they come back.”

James Rogers said that he was thrilled to be able to attend his second Bermuda Pride event this year after being off island for several past events.

“I was so happy to be able to attend the first Bermuda Pride, in part because I thought we might not get a second,” he said. “And that was before the pandemic.

“I think it’s incredible to see this event not only continue but grow bigger and brighter.

“The island still has some ways to go to. There is progress yet to be made and there are still hearts and minds that need to be won, but this is how you do it. With pride and positivity.”

He added that he was happy to see the Bermuda community come out and get involved in social matters such as civil rights, noting the Black Lives Matter movement as well as Pride.

Wanda Correia said that she had been worried last week that Hurricane Franklin might threaten to rain on the parade.

“You can’t have a rainbow without a bit of rain, but a hurricane might have been a bit much,” she said. “That said, I’m glad the walk wasn’t too much longer as the heat and the humidity were starting to get to me.”

She said she hoped organisers could find more ways to pay tribute to those who took risks and made sacrifices to help destigmatise the LGBTQ+ community over the years.

Craig Richards said that Bermuda Pride had quickly become one of the highlights of the Bermuda summer season, and he felt that it could become an even bigger event in the future.

“People travel across the world for events like the WorldPride in Sydney this year,” he said. “I don’t think we could ever get something that big, but it is something that could help encourage people to come to the island.

“Maybe we can get a themed cruise ship visit or something like that timed with Pride. We probably still have a ways to go to get buy-in from some in the public, but it has the potential to be something even greater.”

Laurie Christiansen said: “I love the atmosphere, I love the positivity. People are out having a good time, being themselves. What’s not to love?”

Photo gallery

• The Royal Gazette may decide to not allow comments on a story that we deem might inflame sensitivities or discontinue them when the discourse is lowered by commenters to unacceptable standards. As we are legally liable for any libellous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers