Mayor and MPs to join Sunderland protest march against Councils' withdrawal of funding for Pride events
“The idea that taking the flag down because it’s a political statement is in itself a political statement”
The North East mayor Kim McGuinness is being joined by Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson on Saturday (June 27) in a march and rally to show their support for Pride events and the region’s LGBTQ+ community.
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On May 31 (2026), the new Reform led Sunderland City Council confirmed it will no longer fly the Pride flag at City Hall and that only national and civic flags would be flown.
Earlier this month (June), Out North East, the charity which organises Pride events across the region, said they had been informed by Reform that the Council would no longer provide any funding for Pride events.
Last August (2025) the then incoming Reform led Durham County Council confirmed it was withdrawing any funding for Pride events.
The march, which will depart from Park Lane at around midday on Saturday (June 27), is in protest against these decisions, which mayor Kim labelled a “daft move”, and to show support for North East Pride.
She added: “The idea that taking the flag down because it’s a political statement is in itself a political statement, it’s a bit of a daft move.
“There is now an ideology in some town halls that think this is a good idea and it’s not what we in the North East stand for.
“As a mayor I am completely behind Pride and will continue to support it in every way I can.”
This weekend’s march has been organised by charity OUT North East, which runs Pride in Sunderland, Pride in South Tyneside and Pride in Gateshead.
The organisation has not only seen the refusal by the Reform-led councils to fly the Pride flag but has also withdrawn funding for the events – despite the boost they give to the local economy.
Also taking part in the rally is Jarrow and Gateshead East MP Kate Osborne and national LGBTQ+ campaigner, Lord Michael Cashman CBE.
Mayor Kim added: “We mustn’t lose sight of what Pride brings. Not only the people that are employed by Pride festivals but the thousands of people it brings into places like Gateshead and Sunderland where people go on to buy meals, have drinks and spend their money – it’s a really important part of the local economy.
“That economic impact is really important and as a region we want more festivals, we want to be investing in community-led events and festivals right across the region.”
The Mayor added that she was “really looking forward” to marching alongside the community.
“We know it’s an unsettling time but in the North East people need to know we’re not slowing down, we’re creating opportunities and improving lives.”
Speaking about the decision not fly the Pride flag, Sunderland councillor Ciera Hudspith, portfolio holder for culture, tourism and heritage at Sunderland City Council, said: “Any flag flown outside a governing body should represent our nation and our country as a whole, not a sectional interest.”
Explaining the withdrawal of funding for Pride events, Reform UK Councillor Darren Grimes, deputy leader of Durham County Council, said: “If Labour or the Lib Dems want to raid their members’ budgets to fund political street theatre, that’s on them — Reform will spend ours on the services everyone relies on, not on flying the latest alphabet flag for the professional offence industry.
“Pride stopped being a celebration of gay rights a long time ago. It’s morphed into a travelling billboard for gender ideology and political activism that many in the gay community — myself included — want no part of.”
People wishing to take part in the rally and march are asked to gather at Park Lane from 11.15am. The march will travel along Blandford Street and High Street West to end up at Keel Square, where there will be guest speakers, community voices and a DJ set.