Supporting Pride Canterbury 2025

Last Updated on: 9th September 2025, 05:37 am

Canterbury is a university city, so it is full of people from all over the world. This means that there are so many different people around the city. And in our house, we love seeing diverse people around us. I have always taken Tilly to Pride for as long as I can remember, especially Pride Canterbury. Because I grew up in the 70s and 80s. A time when there was so much ignorance in the world, and surrounding us every day. I have always made sure that my kids grew up accepting everyone in their lives. But seeing Tilly grow up in a world where there is still so much ignorance, it makes me sad.

This ignorance has become worse over the past few months with the ruling from the UK Supreme Court that a person’s gender is defined by what they were born with. This is a huge backwards step in the fight against ignorance of transgender people. This means exclusion of transgender women from the Equality Act and is set to impact transgender women’s access to women-only services and spaces, including charities, sports, hospitals, and more. Have we made a step backwards? Absolutely!!

Pride Canterbury 2025

Although Pride Canterbury was a smaller event this year due to Dame John Gardens being closed for essential works. So there was no live music or headline acts, like in previous years. But they will be back bigger and better next year. This year, it was all set in Westgate Gardens, and the event space was still as awesome as ever, with lots of local and national charities and institutes offering support to the local LGBTQ+ community.

The parade started next to Westgate Gardens and headed through the town. The parade was colourful, well supported as ever, and it was a privilege to be invited along to take some photos to share with Pride Canterbury. You can find some of our photos here on the Pride Canterbury Facebook page

Support Networks That Can Help You In The UK

1. Stonewall

• About: The UK’s leading LGBTQ+ rights charity, offering information, guidance, and resources for individuals, parents, and educators.
• Support: Advice lines, educational resources, campaigns for equality, and workplace support.
• Website: stonewall.org.uk

2. Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline

• About: A confidential helpline for LGBTQ+ people, their friends, and families.
• Support: Phone, email, and instant messaging support on sexuality, gender identity, coming out, and mental health.
• Phone: 0300 330 0630 (10am-10pm daily)
• Website: switchboard.lgbt

3. LGBT Foundation

• About: Manchester-based charity with national reach, providing advice, support, and information.
• Support: Helpline, counselling, sexual health services, and community groups.
• Phone: 0345 3 30 30 30
• Website: lgbt.foundation

4. MindOut

• About: Mental health service run by and for LGBTQ+ people.
• Support: Online support, advocacy, peer mentoring, and counselling.
• Website: mindout.org.uk

5. Mermaids

• About: Support for transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse children, young people, and their families.
• Support: Helpline, webchat, resources for parents, and local groups.
• Phone: 0808 801 0400 (Mon–Fri, 9am–9pm)
• Website: mermaidsuk.org.uk

6. AKT (Albert Kennedy Trust)

• About: Supports LGBTQ+ young people (16-25) facing homelessness or living in hostile environments.
• Support: Housing support, mentoring, and safe spaces.
• Website: akt.org.uk

7. Galop

• About: National LGBTQ+ anti-abuse charity.
• Support: Helplines for those experiencing hate crime, domestic abuse, or sexual violence.
• Phone: 0800 999 5428 (Domestic Abuse Helpline)
• Website: galop.org.uk

8. FFLAG (Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)

• About: National charity supporting parents and families of LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Support: Helpline, resources, and local support groups for families.
• Website: fflag.org.uk

9. The Proud Trust

• About: Focused on LGBTQ+ youth, providing groups and resources across the UK.
• Support: Youth groups, online support, and training for parents and carers.
• Website: theproudtrust.org

10. Gendered Intelligence

• About: Works with trans youth and their families.
• Support: Youth groups, parents’ groups, and educational resources.
• Website: genderedintelligence.co.uk

11. Young Minds

• About: Mental health charity for young people, with LGBTQ+ specific resources.
• Support: Advice for young people and parents, signposting to specialist services.
• Website: youngminds.org.uk