Exeter Pride is returning for a celebration of LGBTQ+ diversity and visibility on Saturday 11 May.
A Pride parade will include giant rainbow flags, a samba band, Morris dancers and roller derby skaters. Community groups and local organisations will also take part.
Marchers will gather at the junction of Sidwell Street and Summerland Street for a 12pm start before making their way along the High Street and Queen Street to Northernhay Gardens, where buskers and drag acts will provide unplugged entertainment until 5pm.
Stalls will include items for sale from local makers and vendors while charity organisations and well-being groups will offer information and advice. Food and drinks will also be on offer and visitors are invited to bring a blanket to picnic in the park.
Before the parade, from 10am to 11.45am, Exeter Library is holding a family-friendly drop-in placard, badge and flag-making session.
From 2pm, Exeter Phoenix will host workshops, family and youth zones and an afternoon of entertainment in the auditorium. Local LGBT+ choir Spectrum, acoustic folk duo Suthering and a drag king competition all feature. Eurovision 2024 will be streamed on the big screen from 7pm.
Chill-out space will also be available in Exeter Library’s Rougemont Room from 12pm to 4pm, and post-Pride parties are taking place at Exeter Phoenix, The Vaults, The Mermaid, Hotel Indigo and other venues across the city.
Exeter Pride 2019 in Exeter High Street. Photo: Naomi Parkinson.
The last in-person Exeter Pride parade took place in 2022 following a pandemic hiatus.
Exeter Pride committee chair Katie Moudry said: “So many people said how much they missed the march in 2023, which is why we are delighted to welcome it back this year.
“2024 is a special year for us as it is the fifteen year anniversary of the first Exeter Pride, our crystal anniversary.
“There have been many positive changes for LGBTQ+ people since 2009, including the 2010 equality act and the legalisation of same sex marriage in 2013, as well as greater representation in the film, television and the media.
“Pride is a wonderful time to come together to celebrate everything we have gained during these years.
“But we also recognise the struggles we face as a community, particularly our trans and gender diverse members, who face issues with access to healthcare and intense political and media hostility.
“We are committed to supporting them in their fight for equality and acceptance. Exeter Pride is, and always will be, a protest as well as a party.”
Exeter Pride is a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and questioning plus communities. It is one of the biggest free Pride events in the country.
The event relies on local sponsorship, small amounts of public funding and donations to pay for road closures, toilet hire, insurance, security and other overheads. A crowdfunder is helping to meet these costs.
Last year’s event was cancelled due to a lack of volunteer co-ordinators and stewards. Exeter Pride instead co-hosted a one-day Rainbow Fayre with Exeter Phoenix on what would have been the day of the annual parade and celebration.
Volunteer co-ordinator Annie Bennett said: “It has been so wonderful to see the numbers of people coming forward to work with us this year to ensure Pride 2024 includes a march and outdoor stalls in Northernhay. We welcome anyone who would like to work as a volunteer this year”.
Visit the Exeter Pride website to find out more and get involved or contact the volunteer team direct on volunteer@exeterpride.co.uk.
