Exeter Pride Exeter Pride became a registered charity in 2015 and is one of the South West’s biggest celebrations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and questioning plus (LGBTQ+) communities, and one of the biggest free Pride events in the country. In 2019 Exeter Pride won the prestigious Event of the Year at the Exeter Living awards for our 2018 10th Anniversary event.
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In 2008, work was underway to create an event that would bring together and increase the visibility of LGBT+ people in and around the city.
Co-founder Alan Quick reflects: “I was increasingly concerned about some of the decisions and opinions of the then-Bishop of Exeter, who was not being very supportive of LGBT people’s rights. After discussion with friends at Intercom, the South West LGBT support forum and charity, we felt strongly that a Pride event for Exeter would be a good idea.”
This culminated in February the following year with the first Exeter LGBT History Pride, hosted by Exeter Phoenix and Exeter Central Library, who would remain important partners of Exeter Pride for years to come.
The event was a success, and over the next few years Exeter Pride exploded in scope and attendance. Major milestones include:
-The first Pride March through the streets of Exeter in 2010
-The marketplace of local businesses and organisations expanding outdoors to Rougemont Gardens in 2013/14, later growing further into Northernhay Gardens!
-After being hosted in the Phoenix Auditorium, the main performance stage also moving outside in 2016/17.
-Exeter Pride’s 10th Anniversary event in 2018, headlined by Devon’s own Joss Stone!
-Our first successful crowdfunding effort in 2019, helping to reduce our dependence on corporate sponsorships.
Initially the event was primarily run by local charity Intercom, but the growing event took on a life of its own, and in 2015 Exeter Pride became its own registered charity.
The COVID pandemic saw Exeter Pride’s outdoor festival cancelled in 2020 and 2021, before a triumphant return in 2022!
Exeter Pride remains committed being a community event that is welcoming for all.
