South Tyneside Pride organisers prepare for Pride celebrations despite verbal abuse and damaged banners

LGBTQ+ organisers in South Tyneside have said they will not be deterred by incidents of vandalism and abuse ahead of Hebburn’s Pride celebrations this weekend.

Volunteers behind Pride in Hebburn reported that a banner promoting the event was torn down overnight on Saturday, 6 June, less than a day after it was put up on Station Road. The group also said members were subjected to verbal abuse from passers-by while attempting to repair the damage.

Despite the incidents, organisers and local LGBTQ+ groups have vowed to press ahead with the event as planned.

In a statement shared on social media, Pride in Hebburn said: “Yesterday our volunteers put up banners to promote Pride in Hebburn. Less than 24 hours later, some had been torn down, damaged and left hanging from the railings.

“Even more disappointing, while volunteers were trying to repair the damage, they received abuse from people passing by.”

The group said the incidents underlined the continued importance of Pride events.

“This is exactly why Pride still matters. Pride is not about division. It is not about politics. It is not about excluding anyone. It is about creating a community where people feel accepted, respected and free to be themselves.”

Organisers stressed they had spent months preparing a free, family-friendly event for the town, including rides, live music and activities for children.

“A few damaged banners and some unpleasant comments won’t stop us,” the statement added. “If anything, they remind us why acceptance, kindness and inclusion are so important.”

Hebburn’s Pride weekend will take place on Saturday, 13 June at Fountain Square.

Peter Durrant, head of LGBTQ+ organisation Out North East, said the incidents were “heartbreaking” but would not derail the event.

“For this team of brilliant volunteers to say we’re doing it again, to have that ripped down and to receive homophobic abuse is heartbreaking,” he said.

He added that the aim of the Pride events across South Tyneside was to bring people together and improve perceptions of safety in the area.

“The whole aim is to bring the community together… and to turn around that image that the town centre wasn’t a safe space, to now show it is,” he said.

Durrant said organisers remained determined to go ahead as planned.

“It’s a setback, but we still aim for Saturday. Hopefully that’ll send a message that it was an isolated minority group.

“It doesn’t set us back - we’ll come back bigger and better.”

Organisers also thanked supporters who had backed the event following the incidents, saying “your kindness will always be louder than the negativity of a few”.

The Pride team added: “Love Hebburn. Love acceptance. Love community. Love all.”