Pride exhibition proves fitting legacy of North East’s summer celebrations

An exhibition which marks the end of a year-long pride project is currently on show across three North East locations, with inspiring personal stories captured in words, art and photographs that examine exactly what it is that makes people proud.

And it seems the answer can be anything from being settled in the region after fleeing a war zone to finding pride in the local football team. Emerald 55, capturing the feelings of the local community while marking this February’s LGBTQ+ history month, can be seen at Gateshead College’s Baltic Campus; The Bridges shopping centre in Sunderland and The Word, national centre for the written word in South Shields.

Up until the end of the February, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the powerful show which is the result of a project that involved schools, colleges and community groups during a run of 18 workshops and more than 300 interviews. The three-site show has been created by Out North East, which, as previously reported, hosted month-long Pride festivals last summer in Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead.

The inclusive charity wanted to create a legacy on the back of the events’ success and set out to gather people’s feelings about pride in the wider sense. Its chairman Peter Darrant said: “The whole purpose of the exhibition was to celebrate pride in who we are, where we live and the community we are part of.

“The stories that we’ve featured in Emerald 55 are an amazing mix, from people who have fled from war zones and in fear of their lives, to others who are just massively proud of the place they live or their football club.” He added that he hoped people will take the time to see it during LGBTQ+ history month and added: “We hope the exhibition will strike a chord with everyone.”

Among the stories featured is that of Ukranian-born Dasha who escaped her country at the start of the conflict and is now proud of her new home in Gateshead while Imed, who had fled Algeria in fear for his life, feels the same about a new home he is building in Sunderland. Well-known local drag queen Ophelia Balls shares her feeling of pride in her successful career and another contributor, Deb, who has a terminal illness, reveals that she is proud of the support group who helps her.

Peter added: “There are so many amazing and heart-warming stories from across Sunderland, Gateshead and South Shields who are a real show of civic pride. We don’t believe there’s anyone who will look at this exhibition and not be moved by the stories of courage, triumph and determination.”

Karen Eve, centre director at The Bridges, said the shopping centre had supported last year’s Pride in Sunderland which she called an “amazing” event and she added: “We are delighted for the opportunity to be able to share this important exhibition with everyone who comes to the centre.”

Coun Tracey Dixon, leader of South Tyneside Council, said such events allow people of all backgrounds to come together and Nadine Hudspeth, of Gateshead College, said of the exhibition: “Our staff and students had the opportunity to get involved through the workshops and contribute to what has resulted in a powerful and moving set of stories, messages and artworks which reflect the wonderful diversity of our region and the people who live there.”

After the exhibition closes, copies of it will be gifted to each local authority for their archives as well as to Queer Britain, the national LGBTQ+ museum. It also will be available to view on Out North East’s website: keep an eye out here.

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