ORGANISERS of Reading Pride have given thanks to attendees and supporters following this year’s annual Pride march and Love Unites Festival.
The team behind the event has also announced that the annual protest and celebration has raised nearly £14,000 in donations following a difficult financial year.
It comes in the wake of Reading Pride having parted ways with a number of sponsors, amid a UK-wide trend of reduced funding in pride events.
The donations mean not only that the event will continue next year, but also that the team at Reading Pride will be able to continue providing a number of community projects and initiatives, such as its marking of Trans Day of Remembrance.
This year’s event battled the drizzle to welcome the likes of musician and comedian Jordan Gray and Lolly to the main stage, as well as host stalls from a number of health and social organisations such as Thames Valley Positive Support, the NHS, and PACT.
Running since 2003, Reading Pride is run entirely by volunteers as one of the many such organisations across the UK advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and celebrating queer communities.
A statement from the trustees at Reading Pride explained: “2025 has been one of the toughest years any of us can remember.
“Powerful politicians and national newspapers decided our community – in particular our trans, non binary, and gender nonconforming family – should become a target.
“That we should be harassed, singled-out, and shamed, and for what? Daring to exist as we always had.”
“And, hardest of all, people we had thought of as friends, who said they would always stand with us, decided to join in the bullying.
“You took to the streets. You marched, held signs, staged sit-ins, wrote letter after letter–whatever it took to say that we stand in solidarity together, as we always have.
“This weekend, you joined Reading’s Pride Parade in your thousands, bringing joy and colour and song to the streets.”
It explained: “When sponsors decided to pull their funding from Pride festivals across the country, here in Reading you dug deep.
“You gave £13,750 in donations at the festival and parade; year round, week after week, you supported the hard work of performers and fundraisers; you gave of your time, your resources, and your love to make Pride a truly special place to be.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!”
It concluded: “There will be a Reading Pride festival and parade next year–money will be tight, but the energy, imagination, and fun will be unlimited, just like it was this year.
“If that sounds like something you want to get involved with, we would love it if you joined us.
“It’s your Pride. Why not help make it happen?”
More information about Reading Pride is available via: readingpride.co.uk
