Love Pride but hate big parades? These places are doing it differently

Love Pride but hate big parades? These places are doing it differently 30 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Josh Parry LGBT and identity reporter BBC / JOSH PARRY An explosion of colour awaits visitors to The Loft bar in Cleckheaton, run by local Pride founder Dione Frost This year marks Cleckheaton's third annual Pride. Dione Frost, organiser of the event in the small market town in West Yorkshire, says it's the biggest yet. But size is relative, and compared with the likes of London, Manchester or Brighton, Cleckheaton Pride is a minnow. The Pride movement, which celebrates LGBTQ+ culture, history and civil rights, is going through a turbulent period, with many events cancelled or scaled back. But some more community-focused gatherings say they are experiencing a surge in demand. From bug-hunting in Glasgow to a picnic in Salford, I travelled to three events around the country to experience a different side to the Pride movement. A market town Pride in West Yorkshire BBC / JOSH PARRY "It gives people the chance to see there are other people out there," says Coby Mayman At first glance Cleckheaton's Pride looks like any ordinary Saturday on the High Street. But inside The Loft bar, a rainbow balloon arch welcomes guests to an explosion of colour. Dione Frost was up until 03:00 preparing the event and now drag queens entertain the crowd as Christina Aguilera's Lady Marmalade blasts from the speakers. Drag performer Coby Mayman, one of the acts, says he was almost late for the event when a taxi driver refused to pick him up after noticing he was wearing make-up. "I was dressed in joggers and a jacket, but I had my wig and make-up on. He asked if the cab was for my boy name, and when I said yes, he said, 'Sorry I can't have you in,' and just drove off." While it's the first time it's happened to Mayman, whose stage name is Kylie Kush, other drag performers here say it's a common occurrence. "If that had happened any other day it would have really knocked me, but I knew I was coming to such a safe space where I can just be myself," Mayman says. "It reminds me why visibility is important, especially in smaller towns like this, it gives people a chance to see there are other people out there just like them, and that's special." This Pride month, some Reform-led councils have said they will withdraw support for Pride events and stop flying Pride flags from civic buildings , saying it allows them to "focus on representing everyone in the community equally" and "concentrate on core responsibilities." Cleckheaton's local authority, Kirklees Council, has a Reform majority but has not yet elected a leader. While it still supports some Pride events, the wider debate has left some attendees nervous about the future of Pride in the borough. "If the council can save money by not giving it to Pride, that doesn't bother me so much," says Jodie Hudson, 46, who is visiting from nearby Osset. "But [not flying] Pride flags, to me that's not right. "If