LGBTQ+ artwork, workshops, music, festivals, performances, dancing, history and even a Panto have all received funding from the council’s Pride Fund for 2025.
This summer, Southwark Council is set to support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with the allocation of £32,000 in funding for local events marking Pride. A wide array of activities, including LGBTQ+ artwork, music, workshops, performances, dancing, history exhibitions, and even a Pantomime, have been granted funds through the council’s Pride Fund for 2025. These events will take place throughout June, Pride month, and extend into July and August, promising a vibrant and inclusive summer of celebration in Southwark.
The Pride Fund, launched earlier this year, saw over 30 local organisations apply for financial assistance to host activities that celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) identities, cultures, histories, and rights. A total of 17 projects were successful in securing grants, which will go towards facilitating a wide range of engaging activities for the borough’s diverse LGBTQ+ community.
Cllr Stephanie Cryan, the Cabinet Member for Equalities, Democracy and Finance, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting Southwark’s large LGBTQ+ population. “With the results of the 2021 census showing that Southwark has one of the largest populations of LGBTQ+ people in England, it was very important for us to offer this funding for a second year. I am so pleased we had so many fantastic applications, and I think we have selected some great events that will support our LGBTQ+ residents in a wide range of communities this year,” she said.
The Pride Fund allows for a wide spectrum of activities to be funded, ensuring that the events celebrate all facets of LGBTQ+ culture and expression. This year’s funding has gone to an assortment of local projects, such as Pride in Southwark 2025, which is set to host an inclusive Pride march and festival in Mint Street Park on June 28. Caroline George, a member of the organising committee and representative of the London LGBTQ+ Centre, expressed her gratitude for the council’s support: “Southwark has one of the largest and most diverse LGBTQ+ populations in the UK, so it’s fantastic for our local grassroots pride march to receive this recognition and support from the council – and alongside so many other fabulous projects too!”
George continued, “Pride in Southwark 2025 will be an open, inclusive space for the whole community to connect and build networks. We’re looking for local people and organisations to run stalls, share their work, volunteer, and march with us. So please do join us on June 28th in Mint Street Park!”
The funding also supports initiatives like Seemia Theatre’s Copla Cabaret workshops. Robin Paley Yorke from Seemia Theatre shared, “At a time when our LGBTQIA+ community is experiencing increased hate crimes, we hope the Copla Cabaret workshops provide a space to play, celebrate, and come together as a community.”
With an emphasis on promoting safe and supportive spaces for the LGBTQ+ community, this year’s funded projects are designed to provide both entertainment and educational value. Workshops focusing on LGBTQ+ histories, art, and personal narratives will empower participants to reflect on their heritage, while performances and music events will allow them to express their pride creatively.
The success of the Pride Fund’s second year highlights the growing demand for spaces where the LGBTQ+ community can thrive. Southwark’s funding initiative is a direct response to the evolving needs of a community that seeks both celebration and resilience in the face of adversity.
The council has made it easy for event organisers to share their Pride-related events with the public. Those hosting events can promote them for free on the council’s Southwark Presents website, which can be found at www.southwark.gov.uk/southwarkpresents. There, organisers can add their Pride event details, ensuring that the whole borough can be part of the celebrations.
For those interested in applying for future grants, more information about council funding can be found on the Southwark Grants and Funding webpage, or through Community Southwark’s “Find Funding” page, which also offers advice on the application process.
This summer, the Southwark Pride events will not only provide a space for celebration but also foster solidarity, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. With funding from the council, the diverse range of activities will ensure that all members of the LGBTQ+ community in Southwark, from young to old, will have opportunities to participate, connect, and celebrate their identities.
As Southwark’s Pride events continue to grow in importance and visibility, the council remains committed to supporting and amplifying the voices of the LGBTQ+ community, ensuring that Pride is not just a month-long event but a year-round celebration of inclusivity and equality.
