On Saturday Pride 2026 took over the city of Durham. After the event was defunded by Reform-lead county council, community groups and trade unions gathered to make it Durham’s biggest Pride ever, writes volunteer community journalist, Anton Weineck.
In the morning of Saturday, May 30, a flood of colors painted Durham city center. Pride took over the streets: “One day of the year, everybody comes together from the LGBT+ community – all their allies to celebrate Pride and protests for better rights,” Mel Metcalf, the founder and chair of Durham Pride says.
A sea of flags
Hundreds of people joined the parade from the city center to the Sands. The walk was in company with lots of music, colorful banners and placards and a generally positive atmosphere: “During the parade through the High Street I saw all the people coming out of the houses and the shops, just to clap and wave. It just shows that there’s a lot of local people who feel the same as us”, a visitor comments.
This year all of the Pride flags were accompanied by dozens of banners from trade union, miners, train drivers and postal workers. The organisations joined Durham Pride 2026 not only in solidarity but to make everything happen.
“They can’t beat us”
When Reform UK took over the county council in 2025 they made clear that the county wouldn’t fund Pride anymore. Ahead of this year’s event the administration cut its £2,500 Pride funding completely.
The community didn’t back down, as a member of ASLEF (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen) said to SWDN: “As passionate trade unionists, we just couldn’t accept that. So we decided to make a sponsorship from our LGBT committee and our national executive also made a sponsorship. They can’t beat us as an LGBT community, and they certainly can’t beat us as a trade union movement.” The organisers are talking about £25,000 raised by the organisations and other supporters. Mel Metcalf, chair of Durham Pride was grateful for the solidarity: “Everybody rallied around and galvanised the community.”
Bigger than ever
The support of the community made Durham’s biggest Pride ever possible. At the Sands everybody came together to enjoy live-music, Drag shows, attractions and of course – food & drinks – similar to a small festival. Mel Metcalf, chair and founder of Durham Pride makes one thing clear: ”I want people to feel confident. That they can be who they are – without fear. Durham pride will always be there for them to support them if needed and when needed.” For visitors Pride 2026 made that possible again: “Everyone’s out, the sun’s lovely, like why not come out and join? Love is love.”
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Anton Weineck
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
