On 11 May 2019, the 11th annual Exeter Pride took place. The attendees met at St. Sidwell’s Church at 11am, and marched to Northernhay Gardens at noon.
Hundreds of attendees carried a 50-metre rainbow flag down the high street. The parade included a fire engine, an ambulance and community volunteers. Councillor Rob Hannaford, the Lord Mayor of Exeter, led the parade and opened the main stage at the Northernhay Gardens. Live bands and cabaret acts performed for the crowd.
Exeter Pride is the South West’s most popular celebrations of the LGBTQ+ community and one of the biggest free Pride events in the UK. Adam Rank, chair of Exeter Pride committee, said “It is about us having pride in our contributions to not just a vibrant and diverse city, but all of Devon and the city and county having pride in us.”
“It is about us having pride in our contributions to not just a vibrant and diverse city, but all of Devon and the city and county having pride in us”
He added “Exeter Pride would not be possible without generous donations from local businesses, organisations and individuals and the fundraising efforts of volunteers.”
Alan Quick, the co-founder of Exeter Pride, said “people have helped Exeter Pride fulfil its aims, to promote equality and diversity for the public benefit and in particular the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity through awareness-raising, advancing community education, and by holding an annual LGBTQ+ festival.
“Whilst Exeter Pride is a celebration of how far we have come with regards to equality, the charity is also keen to recognise and to educate on LGBTQ+ history, contributions to culture, and raise awareness of on-going LGBTQ+ struggles in the UK and further afield.”
