Pride – Durham 2025

Despite the short notice and lack of knowledge, guidance and information from previous events the Methodist Church and allies in Durham pulled a great Pride event off with special thanks to the LGBTQI group that meets at the North Road Coffee morning. A huge thank you! Without your support this event would not have happened, and without the help of the student group this would have been a more difficult task.

The event was really well attended by thousands of people all celebrating Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity and everyone had a great time, despite the weather being unpredictable.

For those involved it was a time to shine offering not only a vast array of freebies but more importantly to show support, kindness and understanding which the LGBTQI and other communities in the past have not been shown and is sadly through ignorance still not shown from some churches.

Thankfully those days and the lack of understanding from church groups are diminishing and the church community is moving forward with understanding that we are all made on the image of God and everyone is a child of God.

Those who were working at the stall epitomised all Gods love in action and how the love of God encompasses all genders, races, colours, sexualities, and disabilities and how the love of Christ is open to all. There was a myriad of people at Pride and God loved everyone there.

John with Miss Anarchy said "how good it was to know that the church was represented at Pride, you were a credit to the church and such lovely people".

Stuart Lawson circuit EDI officer said " coming together and working together showed what can be done in a short space of time. We spend too much time talking and not enough doing which is a sad reflection on the church. Once we start doing then we are serving Christ"

A huge thank you to all those who gave of their time and energies to make this event possible.

Stuart Lawson
EDI officer Deerness Valley Circuit

Images
1. Students affiliated to the church on the Pride March from the Cathedral.
2. Rev John Squares, Durham & Deerness Valley Superintendent with a drag queen called Miss Infinity.