TheOpenPress.com – Kim Angel
?Sparkle has at last brought a real celebration for Transgender, Internationally. It not only educates within the TG community through lectures and workshops, it not only showcases TG talent but it truly educates the general public through integration. During Sparkle in the Park the audience comprised of young and old, Mums and Dads, Hen parties and Football Fans – oh yes, and over 1,000 TG people – Sparkle actually educated on a real urban level, not a book or a documentary but dialogue, laughter and new friends. Many people who attended Sparkle had never met anyone TG before and they left without pre-conceived ideas but real life experience.? Commented Kim Angel, Sparkle founder and Event Director.
The weekends activities were divided up into Sparkle Point and Sparkle in the Park.
Sparkle Point at the Manchester Metropolitan University, held a series of lectures from prominent people within the TG community, Dr Alice Novic, Dr Richard Curtis, Janett Scott, Stephen Whittle and Dr Jeffrey Spiegel all spoke eloquently on their fields of expertise from psychiatry, surgery and real life experience. Workshops focused on helping TG people mould their image and an art exhibition showcased amazing talent. Sparkle even had its own mini film festival showing from the Friday to the Sunday – one common bond, many different facets.
Sparkle in the Park – The main stage and catwalk hosted by Vicky Lee of the WayOut Club, London, showcased TG talent. Gloria Jeffries sang her own brand of folk music, Joey Hateley, TransAction Theatre, provided a powerful monologue and cutting rap. The Treacles demonsted that old school rock is still alive and kicking, Find The Lady provided a wonderful acoustic set including twin saxophonists and the Counterfeit Dolls pleased the crowd with dancey numbers from ABBA to the Time Warp. A Fashion show from Weekend Wardrobe and Long Tall Sally brought a start to proceedings with Miss Sparkle and Miss Golden Sparkle beauty contests putting the final touches to the ultimate TG party.
?Sparkle has yet again proved that Transgender is getting more recognition, better press and more acceptance, and why not, after all if you ask someone TG what they have to go through to be who they want to be, you will get a very interesting story.?