A resort on the coast is hosting the first Pride event to coincide with the 50th anniversary celebrations of the movement worldwide.
From Saturday, 11:01 BST, a full day of entertainment and music celebrating LGBTQ+ communities will take place at Marine Parade in Clacton.
Pride has been planned for the free event since September. Cheryl Piper, the event's organizer, admitted that she had never imagined Pride would be in her hometown.
She said, "It's all about bringing people together; there shouldn't be any stigma."
"Everyone should be included, regardless of who or where they are from.
"No one should be afraid, fifty years after the first Pride, of walking down the road hand-in-hand, with the person they love."
"I think things are moving in the right direction, maybe too slowly."
Pride worldwide celebrates its 50th anniversary. It was established following the Stonewall Inn riots in 1969 and demonstrations for gay rights in the USA.
London's Pride Parade focuses on 1972, the year that Pride first took place in London.
Clacton Pride is a ticket-only afterparty that runs from 20:00 BST to 220:00 BST. It has been funded by the National Lottery.
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