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Giles Hallam

@gileshallam.bsky.social

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Reposted by Giles Hallam

Mary Kelly Foy MP

@marykfoymp.bsky.social

So many wild claims about Durham Pride funding recently. Instead of folk at DCC announcing they're defunding Pride to attempt to look like superstars to their supporters, let's praise the actual work of Durham Pride & ensure they're supported to continue. After all this is more than just an event.

WE know that that when it comes to politics, some people can be distrustful of what they are told. But when it comes to the recent pronouncements about Durham Pride, it might be time for a bit of plain speaking and honesty.
Despite what you read online, no: Durham Pride has not been defunded by Durham County Council. Any claims that this event existed because of the council are wrong. This event exists because of its amazing chair, Mel Metcalf and his team, who work tirelessly to bring in funding from a range of sources.
It also exists because of the support of the people of Durham. In 2023, we saw over 20,000 people join in the celebrations.
But beyond the clickbait headlines, have you ever looked into the work the organisation carries out beyond the annual Pride events? If not, you'll find there is so much more that they do.
Durham Pride's qualified volunteers work to support victims of same sex domestic and sexual violence, as well as victims of hate crime. They're training more frontline services to help respond to victims and survivors following disclosure. There's a dedicated helpline for members of the LGBT+ community who have suffered abuse, hate crime and bullying, and there is 1:1 counselling and mentoring service.
Through Durham Pride's work, the North East England Rainbow Alliance (NEERA) was born. NEERA consists of representatives from different agencies working toward raising awareness and improving responses for LGBT+ people in County Durham and the wider North East. Membership is approved by Durham Pride - I'm proud to be a member.

Equally, as the annual Pride event draws tens of thousands of people to our city
- with money to spend - I wonder how the new administration's aim of
'Supercharging our Economy' is going? If I'm being generous, it feels slightly shortsighted to not support one of our largest annual events.
This began at the count for May's local elections, when a new Reform councillor gleefully told a colleague of mine they could kiss goodbye to their precious Pride. It was clear from day one that this would be a target, because this is what the politics of division does.
All that aside, with support from Trade Unions, the Durham Miners, all of the partner organisations in NEERA - and some politicians - Durham Pride 2026 will go ahead. It'll be huge. It'll be a day of love, inclusivity and joy, while also celebrating those who came before us, and the unlikely allegiances that were formed to fight for LGBT+ rights. I will be with them every step of the way.
If you were clapping your hands at the overblown news of the council withdrawing support for this event, take a moment to reflect. Do flags really offend you? Does people loving who they want to love really offend you? Does the thought of being an inclusive county offend you? Does a weekend dedicated to a marginalised community that has suffered discrimination and challenges that you and I could never truly understand, really offend you?
Nobody is born hating another person because of the colour of their skin, their sexuality, or their religion. This is learned behaviour. Perhaps some of us need to take some time to unlearn it.

August 18, 2025 at 9:30 AM

Giles Hallam

@gileshallam.bsky.social

The character V from the comic book V for Vendetta imitating a newsreader.

May 2, 2025 at 3:15 PM

Reposted by Giles Hallam

Led By Donkeys

@ledbydonkeys.org

Thousands of people are ditching Tesla. Here’s one of them with a message you can see from space.

Location: Black Rock Sands, Wales, UK

Led By Donkeys is 100% funded by small donations.

March 17, 2025 at 6:15 PM

Giles Hallam

@gileshallam.bsky.social

@cargoindiedistro.bsky.social Hello - have you shut down your vinyl download options? Have a code for something and site is offline... Thanks!

February 28, 2025 at 3:26 PM

Giles Hallam

@gileshallam.bsky.social

The feast of man in October
Menus for hampers
Why did I come back?
I came back to Earth
The only thing good to say is
All the politicians are on holiday #fallfriday