THE first ever Pride event to be hosted in Basingstoke has unveiled a range of events it will showcase during the event.

Pride245 is an initiative set up by local volunteers with its core focus on education, celebration and inclusion.

Things get underway on September 17 with an open mic night at the Central Studio at Queen Mary’s College. The free event will start at 7pm.

The committee behind the LGBT festival, which celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender culture, has been working to get the details of the event ready.

Councillor Simon Bound, a cofounder of Pride245, said there is a lot of excitement around the festival and there was a conscious effort to give the event a Basingstoke twist.

Cllr Bound said: “There is something special about making this about the incredible work and art which is produced here in the borough.

“Also it will help those people who live here who identify as LGBT to know there is a support system here and they can feel safe in our town.”

Other events announced include Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know, The Scandalous Life and Fast Times of Lord Byron on Wednesday, September 20 and a burlesque and cabaret night at the Proteus Creation Space on September 22.

However, the committee is still working on a more events which it is yet to announce, one of which would be a screening of the film Get Real, which was filmed in Basingstoke.

The plan is to show the film and have a question and answer panel with cast members to discuss the films importance in the LGBT community.

Cllr Bound added: “If we can pull off getting Get Real shown in Basingstoke I think that would be really exciting. To hear why Basingstoke played such a pivotal role, and it would be important for young people to see how influential this town has been.”

For more information about the events and tickets for the first ever Pride event, visit pride245. org.uk