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Durham Pride Goes Ahead as Unions and Miners Replace Council Funding

A big turnout showed local solidarity kept the festival running to confront rising reports of homophobic abuse.

Overview

  • Thousands attended Durham Pride on Saturday, May 30, producing the event’s largest-ever turnout and a full day of speeches and headline performances.
  • Durham County Council withdrew its financial support in August 2025 after deputy leader Darren Grimes said the event would not receive public funding.
  • Durham Pride, the Durham Miners’ Association and trade unions launched a fundraiser that raised more than £15,500, including a £7,200 donation from Equity, which covered the shortfall and expanded programming.
  • Organisers ran a city-centre parade from Palace Green to The Sands with road closures between 10:30am and midday, a 'Back to the 90s' night on May 29, and headline acts such as Claire Richards and Gareth Gates.
  • Speakers from unions, the Miners’ Association, local politicians and community groups framed the turnout as a show of solidarity and a response to rising homophobic abuse, while the council’s funding decision has not been reversed.