‘Pride has become more important than ever’ - why Doncaster’s LGBTQIA+ community is showing up for Pride
In the lead up to Pride we have spoken to LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies about why Pride is important and needs to be protected here in Doncaster.
I have covered Pride events for many years in many different places as a journalist but this year I have had the privilege to cover my home town Pride.
As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community I have felt that it was important to highlight the incredible work that the Pride committee have done to put on this mammoth event.
We are in a politically charged and challenged time, Pride events up and down the country have been cancelled.
Our own council publicly spoke out about their dislike for Doncaster Pride 2026.
The level of homophobic comments we have received on LGBTQIA+ stories this summer has far surpassed any that I have seen before.
This is why I have reached out to individuals in the community and those who support it to talk about why Pride is important and necessary.
Liam Blake, social media influencer and activist told us: “Pride has always been incredibly important to us because it’s one of the few places where we’ve always felt completely safe to let our hair down and be unapologetically ourselves.
“As a self identifying queer couple, with Alexis being a trans woman, visibility matters.
“Simply showing up, celebrating who we are, and standing alongside our community can make a real difference to people who may not yet feel able to do the same.”
His partner Alexis said: “We also believe in giving back wherever we can, which is why we’re always proud to support Pride events and the amazing volunteers and organisers behind them.
“We and many others have witnessed in recent years increasing hostility and misinformation directed towards trans people and the LGBTQ community as a whole.
“This is why Pride has become more important than ever. It’s not just a celebration - it’s a reminder that everyone deserves to live authentically, feel safe, and know they’re not alone.”
Follow the couple here https://www.instagram.com/liamblakeofficial/?hl=en
Tasha Norris, 27, Stainforth: “Coming from a small mining village where there aren't any LGBTQIA+ spaces, I didn’t meet any other queer people until I went away to university.
“Meeting people who are LGBTQIA+ can only be described as a homecoming feeling, you don’t realise how much you can dull yourself, make yourself small, pretend to be someone else when you don’t feel safe or secure to be so.
“All LGBTQIA+ people want is safe spaces and a place to be themselves, hold hands and kiss their partners without fear of comments or worse, attacks.
“We know it happens, we heard about Berlin Pride.
“The current climate of the world is so scary! But Pride at its core is saying ‘this is me, this is who I love and that’s it’.
“I shouldn’t have to think twice about getting on a bus holding my girlfriend’s hand or kissing her in public and being worried about what someone else might say or do.
“Last time I checked my friends who are in heterosexual relationships have never faced that kind of issue or problem.”
Follow Tasha here https://www.instagram.com/_natashanorris_/
Louis Smith, 22, Wheatley, told us: “Pride is important to me because it’s the first space I felt like I could 100% be authentically me.
“I remember my first pride when I was about 10 years old and seeing people of all walks of life come together, celebrate, love and not hate is an experience I’ll hold with me for the rest of my life.
“It was like when Dorothy opens the doors in the Wizard of Oz - out of the black and white into a wonderful world of colour.
“I think pride is so important in a place like Doncaster because we do have a big LGBT community, and a lot of them hide, and it’s fair to say they deserve a day to hold their partners hand and love them without judgement for at least 24 hours.”
Follow Louis here https://www.instagram.com/louissmith23xx/
Lorna Buckley, 38, owns the Bone Idle Lounge on Silver Street.
It is one of few bars who are supporting Pride this year.
She said: “We will be having a party all day from 10am to 2am.
“We have Pride themed cocktails such as the Stonewall, Bi the Way and Pronouns Aren't Optional.
“I am committed to making the community feel safe, supported and understood.”
Find out more at www.boneidlelounge.com
Keith Bee, 50, owns food business Soul Bowl.
This year he will be attending multiple Pride events with his food truck.
He said: “I am supporting Pride because we used to live in Tickhill and we had a neighbour who was Trans.
“We could see the difficulty she had going through the process but she became more confident and grew into what she was meant to be.
“I think it is important to give everyone a voice.”
Soul Bowl will be attending the Glam Weekend at the Staff of Life.
Ray Maddox, 28 and Kez Geoghegan 41 both work at the Queen Crafthouse which is a LGBTQIA+ owned venue.
Ray told us: “This is our tenth year celebrating Pride and most of our staff are in the LGBTQIA+ community.
“For 2026 we have Anastasia Walker performing on Friday night and Saint Sordid Secrets on Saturday night.”
Kez continued: “Saturday will be a fundraiser for Pride to ensure that it can keep going year after year.”
Ray agreed, they added: “With everything going on at the moment it is more important than ever that the community has a safe space and they are able to celebrate who they are.”
Find out more about the bar here https://www.facebook.com/theQueenDonny/?locale=en_GB