Cumbria Pride took centre stage during World Pride celebrations in New York City.

The group of Cumbrians who travelled all the way to New York City for the world’s largest Pride celebration wound up at the very front of the UK section of the ginormous Pride parade.

Pam Eland, Cumbria Pride chairwoman, said: “It was a nice atmosphere, dead friendly, and people were really welcoming.

“It was overwhelming and tiring, but it was really good.

“We had the Cumbria Pride banner, Cumbria flags, rainbow Union Jacks and the rainbow flags as well.”

They marched through the streets of New York City for hours, surrounded by people who shared the overwhelming and positive experience.

Billie Raymond, who is known for performing as Queen Elizabeth, was part of the group.

The response from the parade crowd was, said Pam, “really positive because we had the Queen with us, and they were all shouting for her”.

This is a significant year as it marks 50 years since the Stonewall Riots took place in New York City.

A candlelight vigil was held during the Pride celebrations to remember the lives lost and to take a stand for those who are currently suffering from discrimination.

“It was just to remember people who had started the riots and who had died for it,” Pam said.

Cumbria Pride, which will take place in September, will also pay tribute to the Stonewall Riots.

“It needs to be remembered, it can’t be forgotten for all the struggles that people have gone through,” Pam added. “Even now, it’s still not legal everywhere to be gay.”

There will be a pride timeline - tracking both Cumbrian and global Pride - a photo gallery in the centre of Carlisle, and an evening with Billie Raymond.

An exciting new feature of Cumbria Pride this year will be a virtual reality experience of the New York City Pride.

“Obviously it won’t be the whole parade because it lasted quite a while... but they can be in it,” she said.