Hastings Pride organisers have announced a ban on national flags at this year’s parade on Sunday, 30 August, saying the move is intended to keep the event focused on LGBTQ+ rights and community solidarity.
The Hastings Pride Committee confirmed the change in a statement ahead of this year’s celebrations, describing Pride as both a protest and a celebration centred on visibility and liberation.
“As we prepare for another incredible Hastings Pride, we want to take a moment to reflect on what makes our event so vital,” the committee said. “Pride is, and always will be, a protest march wrapped in a celebration.”
Organisers said the decision followed a review of parade guidelines aimed at ensuring all members of the LGBTQ+ community feel “safe, valued, and united”.
Under the updated rules, participants will not be permitted to carry national flags during the parade. Instead, organisers have encouraged attendees to display Pride flags and other symbols representing LGBTQ+ identities and causes.
“LGBTQ+ rights and human rights transcend international boundaries, geopolitical conflicts, and national identities,” the statement said.
“To ensure our march remains a unified platform dedicated solely to LGBTQ+ liberation, we will not be permitting national flags in the parade this year.”
The committee said it wanted to see the streets filled with “the beautiful, diverse array of Pride flags, banners, and symbols” reflecting the community’s history and ongoing fight for equality.
The move also comes with a reminder that groups taking part in the parade must demonstrate a “year-round commitment” to supporting LGBTQ+ rights, with messaging firmly rooted in inclusion and equality.
Organisers stressed that the change is about maintaining focus rather than excluding individuals, describing Pride as a space for collective advocacy on issues affecting LGBTQ+ people.
“Pride is a space where we come together to support and promote change specifically for the benefit of the LGBTQ+ community,” the statement added.
Hastings Pride also emphasised its commitment to inclusivity, saying the town’s “diverse, passionate community” remained at the heart of the event.
“By keeping our focus on the liberation and safety of LGBTQ+ people everywhere, we can ensure that Pride remains a powerful, inclusive, and transformative space for all of us,” the committee said.
The annual event is expected to draw large crowds, with organisers thanking supporters for their continued backing and encouraging turnout for what they described as a “safe, vibrant and unified” celebration.
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