Exeter Pride proves to be an event the whole city can be proud of
After the torrential rain of the previous two days, Saturday 23 March was fortuitously dry for the Exeter Pride 2013 parade down Exeter High Street, which kicked off all manner of Pride events in celebration of the lesbian gay bisexual and transgender community.
At first gathering at the St Sidwell's Centre on Sidwell Street, an excited buzz built up from 12pm ahead of the 1pm parade down Exeter High Street. Led from the front by the ever-cheerful Chair Alan Quick, a most colourful procession made its way down the High Street brandishing a 50-metre long rainbow flag. Incorporating people from all different parts of the community and from a diverse range of backgrounds, whether lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or straight, this was Exeter's and the South West's biggest Pride Parade.
Now in its fifth successful year and bigger and better than ever, Pride Day was free to all thanks to many local sponsors and a hard-working committee of volunteers and trustees. Pride Chair Alan Quick says, "A massive thank you to all those who have made this event possible from the generous sponsors to the splendid volunteers who have given up their time and energy to be part of the team."
Key sponsors for the day were Devon & Cornwall Police, University of Exeter, Exeter City Council, Cartridges Solicitors, Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, University of Exeter Students' Guild, Exeter College, Devon County Council, The Vaults Bar and Club, Haulfryn Group and Capital Taxis. Also represented on the day were Radio Exe, Devon County Teachers' Association, Exeter Labour Party, Somerset Lesbian Network and Relate.
The Pride parade was started by Lord Mayor Rob Newby and was led by the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, who made sure the festivities were buoyed along despite the cold weather. Also keeping the party spirit alive were a Mardi Gras band and Morris Dancers.
According to the organisers, "Exeter Pride is all about the friendly welcome the LGBT community prides itself on – no matter who you are or where you come from."
However the parade was merely the start of the event and as this ended at Exeter Phoenix, a whole host of other activities kicked off, from Zumba to legal advice workshops and from face painting to a Drag Queen beauty contest. Events went on well into the night, with Exeter Phoenix hosting Kylie and Lady Gaga tribute acts as well as performances from Station Road, Random Skies, King L and Lazy Lizards in the main auditorium.
To round off the frenetic celebrations, Exeter Pride took time to pause, reflect and remember those whose lives have been taken whether it be from AIDS or in war, a family member or a friend, at a non-religious Candlelit Vigil at the Phoenix on Sunday Evening.
Finally, The Vaults Bar and Club in Gandy Street hosted the Pride Karaoke Grand Final, with £200 being presented to the overall winner.
In the attached video, Devon & Cornwall Police & Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg and Supt. Chris Eastwood, Police Commander (Exeter, Mid and East Devon) talk about the importance of Exeter Pride and offer their support. PCC Tony Hogg says: "It is important for the Police to make sure we create an environment of anti-discrimination and a willingness to hear and listen so that people can report hate crimes wherever they occur."
Supt. Chris Eastwood says his presence at the event illustrates the importance both he and the Police Service place on respecting everybody and treating everybody with digninty.
