TKO Radio roadshow joins hundreds of revellers to support LGBTQ community in memory of Stevie Spit

The second edition of Orihuela Costa’s very own Pride celebration brought a whirl of colour, music and fun to the neighbourhood on June 28, with the TKO Radio roadshow on hand to broadcast the celebrations.

Held at The Emerald Isle leisure complex in La Florida, hundreds of people came along to “Celebrate the freedom of love”, with a parade around the surrounding streets, a craft market, and a cracking line-up of the best performers and DJs throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

And the event proved a fitting tribute in memory of legendary local entertainer and tireless fundraiser for charities, Stevie Spit BEM, who set up Orihuela Costa Pride with Marc Archer, but tragically lost his life to cancer last year aged just 54.

Obviously Stevie had wanted this celebration to carry on and Marc rallied the troops to make sure that this cloud would have a dazzling rainbow lining.

Speaking to Alicante Today, Marc Archer emphasised that this is an important time to show support for people’s freedom to love whom they choose, with rights being rolled back around the world.

Six years ago, Marc and his friend Kerry also set up a Facebook group, called LGBTQ Costa Cálida Blanca, to provide the sort of help and information in English that they found was lacking in Spain when they moved here from the UK, and maybe to make some friends along the way.

Anyone can join, wherever they are, to offer and receive advice and support for new arrivals, singles, widows etc, with activities including monthly lunches, coach trips and get-togethers.

This group organised their first Pride in Torrevieja three years ago, which led to the first Orihuela Costa Pride last year.

The second edition saw about 500 people taking part in the festivities and enjoying entertainment from DJ Gina G and Mark Nottingham, Chloe Leigh’s uncanny Cher performance, soulful vocalist Chloe Jade Jones, powerhouse performer Nikki G, crowd favourites Bella Luna, a stellar David Bowie tribute, charismatic vocalist Lucy Taffs, astonishing fire dancer Natasha Oliver, and Ukrainian DJ and Eurovision contestant Angeliya.

The entertainment manager for the event was The Emerald Isle’s own Leroy Morales, who was joined on Marc's organisation committee by the bar’s owner, Brendon Moran, the district representative to the council Cilla Cromie and Nikki G.

Marc expressed sincere thanks to all of them, and of course to TKO Radio and sponsors DS Real Estate for making it all possible.

Its success enabled them to raise money not only for next year’s event, but also for their partners at Samaritans Spain, who Marc said provide invaluable comfort to anyone who is struggling with life and needs someone to talk to.

He says that for next year they want to consult with the organisers of the Cabo Roig St Patrick’s Day to hold a bigger and better parade, and to include at least one Spanish speaker on the committee so they can reach out to more of the native population too.

Marc also hopes to involve the local council, as Spain is generally very supportive of the LGBTQ community and, although the councillor for Orihuela Costa, Manuel Mestre from Vox has vocally opposed events like Pride, the Partido Popular (PP) and opposition parties have consistently backed the Pride held in Orihuela city.

TKO Radio was proud to have been involved in such a great day for inclusiveness in the local community, and no doubt Stevie Spit would be proud of what everyone achieved.

The next TKO roadshow is planned for Saturday August 9 at La Zona Terraza, Los Alcazares.

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