Doncaster Pride

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Doncaster Pride is a Gay Pride event held annually in Doncaster, England, usually in August. It is South Yorkshire's biggest Gay Pride event, and It was first held in 2007. [1] Currently the audience figures for the day's event is close to 20,000.[ citation needed ] The Patron of Doncaster Pride is Sheridan Smith. [2]

Contents

Doncaster Pride has been held at the Keepmoat Stadium, the racecourse, and is currently held at Doncaster's Sir Nigel Gresley Square. [3] [4] The event is funded by local businesses, award foundations, various charitable organizations and donations from the public. The event includes a variety of activities for all ages, two stages and a float parade through the town.

History

The first event was put together in just 3 months in 2007 and attracted more than 1,000 people on a budget of £15,000 (equivalent to £26,000in 2023). [5] [6] The following year drew a crowd of up to 8,000 people. [7]

Doncaster Pride 2018 saw over 3,000 people in the Parade through the town, and there were 8 hours of free entertainment on two stages. [8]

The event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event returned in person in 2022, with Stephanie Hirst headlining it. [9] 2022 also saw the event expand accessibility, hiring sign language interpreters, creation of quiet spaces, and expansion of facilities for disabled attendees. [1] Organisers estimated an attendance of 18,000 in 2023. [10] In 2024, Doncaster Pride was chosen to host the annual UK Pride festival by the Pride UK Organisers Network. [10] Jenny Dewsnap, a founder and organiser of Doncaster Pride, said on the matter that "it means so much because you're chosen by your peers...We've been selected by other people who organise Prides up and down the UK and they chose Doncaster...I think that's why it's so special." [10] For the first time in 2024, the event included a Youth Pride section for attendees under the age of 18, which provided information on health and wellbeing. [10]

References

  1. 1 2 "Friday briefing: Inside the making of Britain's lesser-known Pride celebrations". The Guardian. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  2. ↑ "National TV star announced as patron of Doncaster Pride – and she could attend this year's event". Doncaster Free Press. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  3. ↑ "Doncaster Gay Pride moves to city stadium for safety". BBC News. 20 August 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  4. ↑ "Doncaster Pride link up with NUM". ITV News. 22 August 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  5. ↑ "Rainbows beam on record crowds at Doncaster Pride". The Sheffield Star. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  6. ↑ Slack, Martin (18 May 2010). "Lottery grant for gay pride festival". The Yorkshire Post. p. 8. ISSN   0963-1496.
  7. ↑ "Mayor vows to cut Gay Pride funds". BBC News. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  8. ↑ "Doncaster Pride AGM 2018 » Doncaster Pride". www.doncasterpride.co.uk. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  9. ↑ Burke, Darren (5 August 2022). "Doncaster Pride: Thousands expected as LGBTQ+ spectacular back after Covid break". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Doncaster Pride host event for UK Pride celebrations". BBC News. 10 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2025.


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