How the South West was won: the origins of Exeter Pride

Alan (pictured) was surprised to say the least. The previous night he’d DJ’d at an LGBTQ+ night on Exeter Quay attended by several hundred people.

The 62-year-old said, “I was a little bit incensed by the comment. It was arrogant and an attempt to cancel out LGBTQ+ people.”

Determined to do something, Alan went to the Intercom Trust – an LGBTQ+ charity based in the South West – and told its director about the comments. Alan said, “We really need a Pride event where we march down the street and raise our visibility in the city.”

Working with Intercom, Alan helped organise two indoor Pride events linked to LGBTQ+ History month in February. The first Exeter Pride march was held in May 2010, and with one exception (the march didn’t take place in 2023 due to a shortage of volunteers and sponsors), it’s got bigger and better every year.

This year’s Exeter Pride march – an event supported by funding made possible by National Lottery players – is on 10th May. As well as the parade, there will be stalls, events and entertainment in two adjacent parks.

Alan said, “Exeter Pride has grown and grown, and I’m so impressed by it. It’s down to a lot of support from trustees, volunteers, sponsors, and people in the community coming together. Nowadays, it’s probably the biggest free Pride event in the South West.”

Alan usually finds himself working behind the scenes when the march is taking place. But this year is different: he’ll be marching at the front of the parade with his fellow trustees and Exeter’s Lord Mayor Kevin Mitchell and his husband.

National Lottery funding has played an important role in maintaining Exeter Pride as a safe, vibrant, and popular event. Alan said, “I’m so grateful for the National Lottery funding. The kindness and care that The National Lottery has given us has impressed everyone here.”

Alan said the cancellation of the 2023 event was an important wake-up call; a reminder that Pride events can’t be taken for granted. He explained, “We just didn’t have enough volunteers, and the funding didn’t come through. It was post-Covid and things just didn’t click. It was unfortunate, but it inspired so many more people to come forward and volunteer, to say ‘we really want this, we really need this’. We’re fighting fit again.”

Alan, who is Exeter Pride’s longest serving trustee, believes Pride events are more important today than they were in 2010. He said, “Currently, the trans community is feeling terribly rejected and not receiving much support. So, this year, there’s a strong emphasis on that.”

1st May 2025