Why Pride is facing a backlash - from inside and outside the LGBT community

Pride events have faced a backlash from both inside and outside the LGBT community. Matt, a young gay man, left his hometown of Crewe after feeling he wasn't accepted there. However, he returned in 2026 for the town's Pride celebration, marking a significant homecoming. He felt it was important to witness the changes Crewe had undergone in terms of being more welcoming.

Despite this positive change, Pride events are currently facing challenges. Some councils have withdrawn their support, and big brands are hesitant to associate with them due to concerns about being seen as "too woke." Additionally, there's a growing concern that Pride has become too commercialized. Some LGBT campaigners argue that the focus has shifted away from activism and towards profit.

The origins of Pride can be traced back to the first official Pride march in London in 1972, a protest against the illegal status of homosexual acts between men in England and Wales. Over the years, Pride events have grown in scale and prestige, with Manchester's Pride becoming a large-scale city center extravaganza in 2019. However, this has led to criticisms, such as Manchester Pride's reduced focus on the community and Manchester's organizers ending funding for various charities.

This trend is not unique to Manchester. London Pride has been criticized for feeling overly corporate and crowded, while Brighton has struggled with the financial burden of staging large-scale events. Smaller events like Crewe seem to be the direction Pride is heading in 2026. However, the political winds have changed, with organizations and companies becoming more hesitant to publicly support diversity and inclusion initiatives due to potential backlash.

This shift is evident in the decline of corporate support for LGBT causes. Last year, mentions of Pride on social media by the UK's 10 biggest listed or headquartered companies fell by 92% compared to 2023. This decline in corporate backing has posed a significant challenge for Pride organizers in balancing budgets. Furthermore, legal advice has led to some cities, such as Liverpool, Merseyside, and the West Midlands, withdrawing from participating in Pride events.