As Bourne Free: Pride in the Park 2023 took place this weekend, we look back at pictures from when the event was in its infancy.
Originally taking place in 2004, Bourne Free was organised to counteract the anti-gay march by the pressure group Christian Voice.
These images were snapped in 2006 after the annual event had gone from strength to strength.
Revellers can be seen doing more than painting the turn red - they transformed it into every colour of the rainbow.
The celebration of diversity, which featured a colourful parade with a gigantic flag as its centrepiece, wound its way from Alum Chine to Bournemouth Gardens.
A 2CR FM Black Thunder vehicle provided the music while parade members from the town’s leading gay venues handed out whistles and leaflets.
Many festivalgoers carried banners with slogans including “Challenge homophobia,” “No place for prejudice” and “Being gay is okay.”
The party then continued in the gardens with a series of live music acts including Chenai from the X Factor, the Intenso Project from the Ministry of Sound and the Fleurettes, winners of Drag Idol.
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