Maidstone Pride

27/04/2025

Support Maidstone Pride 2025 by joining our GoFundMe!

We can't do Maidstone Pride without you - our community.

Every penny raised goes straight into making Maidstone Pride bigger, better, and more accessible for everyone. By donating, you'll help us cover our costs (such as Event & Marketing costs) and do so much more for our local LGBTQIA+ Community.

We're asking for your support - whatever you can give. Your spare change, the cost of a coffee, the price of a nice bottle of wine- it all makes a difference. Every single donation helps us create a Maidstone that truly reflects diversity, acceptance, and love.

Link available here: https://gofund.me/81fb1082 and in our bio, and also on our website - Maidstonepride.co.uk

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23/04/2025

Earlier this month, we shared how you can get involved with Maidstone Pride 2025.

As we get closer to June, this is our 2025 focus...

This year, we’re focusing on our community, building connections throughout our local area that continue all year round.

While our volunteer team is smaller this year, we’re not going anywhere and are working hard to make sure that June 2025 is full of love and support for our local LGBTQIA+ community.

Find out more and get involved by following our socials and heading to our website!

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16/04/2025

Earlier today (16th April 2025), the UK Supreme Court ruled that the term “women” in the Equality Act 2010 does not include Trans women.

This decision highly alienates our Trans and Non-Binary siblings, creating heavy uncertainty and worry.

The anti-trans rhetoric being shared that trans people are a threat to others is absolutely cruel. Everyday, Trans and Non-binary individuals face so much hostility and discrimination (verbal and physical).

This decision has sadly given the green light for more hate and prejudice towards our very marginalised community, who are a very small percentage of our population.
As we’ve always said. Maidstone Pride loudly supports and celebrates our Trans community! We see you, we love you, and we stand with you, ALWAYS.

08/04/2025

CALLING LOCAL CREATIVES & VOLUNTEERS.
WE NEED YOU!.

ENTRY SUBMISSION DEADLINE: FRIDAY 16 MAY 2025 - 11:00 AM

As part of our 2025 event lineup, we're hosting an Art Exhibition, celebrating our local creatives (Q***r artists, photographers, and videographers.) Maidstone is home to many talented creatives, but sadly opportunities in the local art scene has declined significantly. This exhibition provides a much needed platform for LGBTQIA+ artists and allies to showcase their work.

To mark the opening, we plan to host a special launch event featuring live performances, artist talks, writers and musicians on Saturday 7th June, then the exhibition will be open to the public for a full week (8th- 14th June) between 9;00 AM – 5:30 PM. Entry to the gallery will be free, but we will encourage donations in support of Maidstone Pride and our future events as we are a non-profit organisation supporting the community.

There is no ‘theme’ for this exhibition, however, we encourage entries that explore the following: community, unity, pride, identity. We welcome all people to enter, and don’t discriminate.

If your submission is successful, you’ll be asked to write a short biography so that we can display it alongside your work on the day. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss the themes in your work then. If you’d like to get involved with artist talks, performances, or even help with invigilation, your support would be greatly appreciated. As a non-profit organisation, we largely depend on volunteers and donations.

A reference will be provided for those who want to use this opportunity as work experience.

🌈 How you can help and take part:
- To Submit Artwork, fill in the form ( https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGS8HF2bDT0MNZzlQw2mdcP3G9a6LVsCy8x-DcW_r3nMkKrw/formResponse or by scanning the QR code)
- To Volunteer (e.g support or exhibition invigilator), pop us a message or email!

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08/04/2025

🌈KENT PRIDES UNITED PRESENT: LGBTQIA+ CAMPING WEEKEND🌈

The Maidstone Pride team had a great time at the LillyRoos open day and can't wait for the big q***r camp out!

Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kent-prides-united-family-camping-weekend-2nd-5th-may-tickets-1255762893619

Kent Prides United presents a bank holiday weekend of community, music, and fun from Friday 2nd May to Monday 5th May. Including live music and open mic, workshops, films, BBQs and fun for all ages!

Bringing together the Pride communities of Deal, Dover, Ashford, Maidstone, Herne Bay, Ramsgate, and Swale, this inclusive weekend offers camping and glamping options, with space for tents and small campervans. Creating a welcoming space for all. Whether you're here to relax, celebrate, or connect, this is your chance to experience a Pride event like no other in the heart of Kent.

Accommodation Options & Pricing:

Glamping: Furnished bell tent sleeping up to 4 people – £140 per night. Minimum 2 night stay.

Camping: Adults (16+) – £20 per night, Children (under 16) – £15 per night (max. 6 people per pitch).

Day Pass: £10 per person, valid from 3PM – 11PM.
All ticket prices include an event pass, giving access to entertainment and onsite activities.

Check-in is from 3PM with departure by 11AM. Day ticket holders can enter the site daily from 3PM to 11PM. Day tickets will also be available on the door, subject to capacity.

Please note when booking your tickets, you will receive an email asking you to confirm your arrival date, departure date, and accommodation details. Please ensure you reply with the required information to complete your booking.

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03/04/2025

Get involved in Maidstone Pride 2025!
We're officially back, baby! and this is how you can get involved with us this year.

After the fierce extravaganza that was Maidstone Pride 2024, we're back and bigger than ever

For Pride 2025, our focus is on our community and building a strong connection throughout the Maidstone borough that lasts year-round.

We will be facilitating a series of events, including Music performances, craft activities, athletic meet-ups, social hangouts and much more for a month-long celebration where everyone has the right to feel seen, heard, and welcomed.

We want to see more venues, more businesses, and more of our community stepping forward to embrace and uplift LGBTQIA+ voices!

But we can’t do it without you.

Get involved with us by:
🏳️‍🌈 Volunteering with Maidstone Pride!
🏳️‍🌈 Helping us run an event or hosting your own!
🏳️‍🌈 Donating to our GoFundMe (Link in bio and on our website!)
🏳️‍🌈 Becoming a Maidstone Pride 2025 Sponsor!
🏳️‍🌈 Providing us with event space or resources!
🏳️‍🌈 Spreading the word! Interacting with us on social media and telling everyone you know

Reach out to us on social media or email!
MaidstonePride.co.uk / [email protected]

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31/03/2025

International Transgender Day of Visibility! 🏳️‍⚧️

On the 31st March every year, we come together to honour International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV).

This is a time to celebrate our amazing transgender community and raise awareness about the discrimination faced worldwide. Trans people are facing ever-increasing hostility and discrimination, and it is extremely important to show active allyship and support.

Transgender is an umbrella term widely used by individuals whose gender is not the same as or does not sit comfortably, with the s*x they were assigned at birth. Trans individuals may use one or more terms to describe their gender identity and expression. Additionally, transgender is an umbrella term that includes other identities, for example; non-binary, gender-fluid, and gender-q***r.

For resources and support, either as a Trans person or an ally, we would highly recommend checking out:

- the UK LGBTQIA+ rights charity, who have been campaigning for over 30 years.

- UK Trans-led organisation that aims to make the world a safer place for our Transgender community.

Remember, if you are a q***r person who needs support or advice, reach out to the national LGBTQIA+ support line.

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17/01/2025

We need you! 🫵

Lovely humans of Maidstone, we are busy planning Maidstone Pride 2025
🏳️‍🌈❤️🧡💛💚💙🩵💜🤍🏳️‍🌈

This year will see a whole month of smaller, bespoke, q***r events hosted by our friends and local businesses around the town.
Please tell us what you'd like to see in this short (we promise) survey.

https://forms.gle/rCDBREH66SPWf32J7

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Tell us what you want this year - no guarantees 🤣🤞

15/01/2025

Today the Pride team take the first steps in bringing colour back to the town in June 2025 - watch this space 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

11/10/2024

Only two hours to go before voting closes!!! 🗳️🗳️🗳️

Please NOMINATE Harmony Variety Clubs, an ARTS 🎭 charity, to win £5,000 and help us SAVE this resource!!

Help us save Harmony Maidstone 💰💰

Nominate a charity for a Movement for Good award now.

11/10/2024

Our amazing parent charity, the one who bought us together and worked tirelessly to bring Pride to Maidstone, NEED OUR HELP!! 💜🧡

Please nominate Harmony Maidstone for this.
Their name with the charity commission is "Harmony Variety Clubs Limited" it will come up when you type it in the box!

It could make all the difference to them as they are on the brink of closing due to lack of funds!!! 😭

It has to be done today gorgeous Queens 👑. Voting closes in 12 hours 😱
It takes just one minute, about four clicks, and it's done, so do it right now... Please 🙏 🙏 🙏

Thanks in advance for your support!
And share this please to encourage others to nominate them too.... Our event needs our leader!! 🏳️‍🌈

Nominate a charity for a Movement for Good award now.

19/07/2024

Tomorrow nights q***r offering 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Maidstone’s First Le***an Night Out! Get ready for a night of pure girl power and positive vibes at Solid Events - Girl Vibe

18/07/2024

We would love to say a big big thank you to our friends over at JJ Rentals JJ Rentals Maidstone for giving us a Luton Van which helped transport our wonderful stage to the venue on the day🏳‍🌈🏳‍⚧

And a massive thank you to Logan Construction for supplying the Heras fencing to help keep our beautiful stage safe and secure 🌈💛

If you’re a Maidstone business who wants to get involved for next years event please keep an eye out on our socials where we will be in the future posting about how you can get involved and support Maidstone Pride 2.0! ✨

09/07/2024

09/07/2024

22/06/2024

Are you ready for Maidstone's first ever Pride Parade today at 12pm!!

One of our team members has kindly provided a route plan so everyone knows exactly where we start and finish 🥰

We can't wait to see everyone in their rainbow attire and celebrate love and diversity in the county town of Maidstone 🤩🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

22/06/2024

TODAYS THE BIG GAY DAY!!!

We can't believe how quick the days have gone 😃

It's been a lot of hard work but we're so happy that the day is finally here and we can celebrate the lgbtqia+ community within Maidstone and Kent 🤩 It feels so right to finally have Pride in our local town 🥳

The Parade starts at 12pm at County Hall and finishes at Jubilee Square. Once the parade is over we have our main event over at Lockmeadow starting at 2pm 🥳

We have a full day of q***r art such as drag acts, vocalists, bands and much more 😁There are also a variety of different food stalls, q***r owned businesses, ally owned businesses and amazing charities there for the day 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Please take lots of pictures/videos at the parade and at the main event and make sure to please tag us ( ) or and 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🥳

Happy Pride Month Everyone!! 🌈✨

21/06/2024

We finally have a map of the venue and where everything is going to be at the main event tomorrow 😊

We can't wait to finally have Pride in Maidstone 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Happy Pride Month!! 🌈✨