Diana Ross Drops Glittery Pride Anthem to Light Up Brighton!

Diana Ross, the legendary Motown singer from the United States, was the headline performer at the 35th Brighton and Hove Pride festival this past weekend. Dressed in a sparkling silver gown and a dramatic white feather boa, Ross took the stage and wowed the crowd with a special song she wrote just for the occasion. The lyrics of her new song included uplifting lines like 'Joy, joy, joy, freedom, always be you,' which she dedicated to the audience, making the moment feel even more personal and meaningful. Her performance was a highlight of the festival, and she was described as 'iconic' by the event's organizers. Ross's setlist included some of her most famous hits, such as Chain Reaction, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, and Stop! In the Name Of Love. Her 1980 hit I'm Coming Out has become an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community, and it was especially powerful to hear her sing it at Pride. Paul Kemp, the managing director of Brighton and Hove Pride, said that having Diana Ross and Saturday's headliner Raye perform meant that the weekend's lineup 'spanned a generation of divas. ' This brought together fans of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate music, diversity, and acceptance. Throughout her show, Diana Ross changed into several glamorous outfits. She started with a silver sequined gown and white feather boa, then switched to a sparkling red dress with ruffles, and finally wore a neon yellow raincoat paired with black trousers and a black top. Each outfit change brought cheers from the audience and added to the excitement of the night. Earlier in the evening, the British boy band Five reunited to perform their 1998 hit Everybody Get Up, getting the crowd energized before Diana Ross took the stage. The festival was held at Preston Park in Brighton, East Sussex, and thousands of people gathered to enjoy the music and festivities. The history of Brighton Pride goes back to July 1973, when the first march was organized by the Sussex Gay Liberation Front. At that time, only a small part of the community felt safe enough to participate, and Pride did not return to Brighton until 1991. This year, the organizers wanted to honor those early activists and remember the courage it took for them to be visible and stand up for their rights. For this milestone year, Brighton and Hove Pride aimed to celebrate both the progress that has been made and the people who made it possible. On Saturday, around 300,000 people were expected to take part in or watch the community parade, while up to 450,000 people were estimated to be in the city for Pride celebrations. The event was filled with colorful parades, rainbow flags, and balloons spelling out PRIDE. People wore bright clothes, danced in the streets, and showed their support for the LGBTQ+ community. The festival was not just about music and fun, but also about remembering the importance of acceptance, equality, and being true to oneself. BBC Sussex covered the event, sharing updates and stories on social media and radio. The organizers encouraged people to send in their own stories and experiences, making the festival a truly community-driven event. Brighton and Hove Pride continues to be a time for people to come together, celebrate diversity, and honor the bravery of those who fought for LGBTQ+ rights. Diana Ross's special performance was a highlight of the weekend, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who attended.