15 years of pride
The history of Exeter Pride began when co-founder Alan Quick worked with the charity Intercom to plan and host the first ever Pride protest march through the streets of Exeter. The work began in 2008, resulting the first Exeter Pride event in 2009, and has expanded to include the march, the stalls and much more ever since. This year, we celebrate 15 years of Pride protest in Exeter.
“We really need to do something to show that there are lgbt people in exeter”
Exeter Pride Founder, Alan Quick in 2008
“I was a DJ on the LGBT scene and ran a gay night at Exeter Quay in a club called Boxes.... I just finished DJing for about 200 LGBT people. It was a good night. And then the next day I'm listening to Radio Devon, and the Bishop of Exeter said on the radio that he wouldn't support some LGBT legislation in the House of Lords because there were no gay people in Exeter! That's what his words were! And I was really shocked. I thought, well, I've just DJ’d for 200 LGBT people, and now he's canceling us out as if there's none of us around!
So I thought, what can we do? What can we do to show that there are LGBT people in the community and were part of the community? So I went to intercom, which is the Southwest LGBT charity, and spoke with Michael Halls. (he was the director of it at that time) and said to him, Look, we really need to do something to show that there are LGBT people in Exeter.
And we did it at the Phoenix and at Central library. We tied it in with LGBT History Month. And that worked really well. We had a panel discussion. We had various stalls. We had parachute games for the children. There was some art displayed on a stage. It was good fun day. It wasn't very big. Not like pride has grown into now. But but it was good. And we made a statement that we were there.”
Exeter Pride Founder, Alan Quick
Exeter Pride has changed over changed over the years
Exeter Pride has gone through many changes since the committee was first formed in 2008, including a headliner act from Joss Stone in 2018! Sometimes it’s been huge, sometimes, like The Rainbow Fayre in 2023 it’s been small ,but it has always brought the LGBTQ+ community together in celebration and solidarity.
It’s not just Exeter Pride that’s changed! Since its inception 15 years ago there have been landmark developments nationally, including the Equality Act and the legalisation of same-sex marriage. There has also been societal change with greater LGBTQ+ representation in films, television, sports and politics.
But there is still a long way to go! And we recognise that not all parts of our community have gained rights and acceptance at the same rate, particularly our trans and gender-diverse members. Many of these incredible humans face issues with access to healthcare and intense political and media hostility. We are committed to supporting them in their fight for equality and acceptance - Exeter Pride is, and always will be, a protest as well as a celebration.