Reform UK-supporting drag queen calls for councils to stop funding Pride events

A drag queen and former city mayoral candidate has called on what they describe as “woke” local councils to stop allocating public funds to Pride events, arguing that taxpayers should not be underwriting LGBTQ+ festivals. The comments come from Michael Felse, also known as drag queen Ethol Mary, who previously stood to become Mayor of Doncaster and later served as Pride Queen at Manchester Pride in 2011, and who has recently joined Reform UK.

Mr Felse has criticised councils for continuing to prioritise Pride celebrations at a time they say should be focused on essential services rather than “identity-driven” events. According to their remarks, local authorities have become increasingly driven by ideological agendas, and withdrawing financial support from such festivals would be a step toward what they characterise as more responsible and neutral governance.

Their intervention comes amid ongoing national conversations about public funding for cultural and community events, particularly those connected to LGBTQ+ representation. Many local festivals have historically relied on council grants to secure performers, infrastructure and security, though some councils have scaled back budgets in recent years due to austerity pressures.

Reform UK, the party the drag performer has recently joined, has positioned itself as a critic of what it views as excessive “woke” influence in local and national policymaking.

Ethol Mary was described by Mr Felse in a BBC interview as "more like a Grimsby docker than Lady Gaga."