Jubilant crowds descended on Heaton’s bars and businesses as part of the suburb’s first ever Pride weekend, with locals hailing a ‘momentous and memorable event’ despite lengthy downpours.
As hundreds filed into local businesses adorned with Pride flag bunting and windows painted with rainbows, cowboy hats, and even a velociraptor, it was clear that Pride had come to Heaton.
One of many such celebrations as part of Newcastle’s Pride weekend (19th-20th July), the event’s organisers estimate that up to a thousand people may have taken part in the jubilations.
Throughout the inaugural celebration, local venues and businesses hosted a raft of events across Heaton, each colourfully decorated in characteristic Pride fashion.
From open mic nights and a doggy drag show, to a family fun zone at St Gabriel’s church, there was something for everyone in the community, with fundraising from the likes of Crips Against Cuts and Northern Dykes Defend Trans Rights also taking place.
Image credit: Tom Wood.
According to Heaton Pride – the group behind the weekend – the occasion was an even greater success than they had expected.
“It was so nice to see how many people came out, and the energy that came with it,” Sarah White, the group’s co-founder, said.
“We were going to do a queer comedy night and a drag cabaret, and that was going to be it. It just kind of snowballed. It never was meant to be this, but I’m so happy.”
“It just kind of snowballed. It never was meant to be this, but I’m so happy.” – Sarah White, Heaton Pride
The brainchild of Sarah and her co-founder, local comedian Connor Read, Heaton Pride was the result of a conversation between friends at one of Heaton’s pubs.
Just over two months of ‘frantic organisation’ and 4am alarms followed as the small group of volunteers juggled full-time jobs. According to Volunteer Coordinator, Tiahna Fox, they each “ate, slept and breathed Pride.”
Image credit: Sarah White.
The event was well received by the crowds, who have since taken to social media to express their support and gratitude in the comments sections of Heaton Pride’s recent posts.
Instagram user amy_h_b described it as ‘a momentous and memorable event – especially with such a tight turnaround (…). We’re already looking forward to next year – bigger, brighter, and even more joyful.’
Image credit: Tom Wood
User jessebluealexander also hailed ‘an absolutely spectacular job (…) I really enjoyed seeing Heaton FULL of Queer people and Pride flags!!’
Image credit: Sarah White.
Some of Heaton’s local businesses have also commented on the success of the event and the impact it has had on them.
“I am extremely grateful to the main sponsors for including me in the very first of what will be many Heaton Pride Weekenders in the future,” Tracy Tunn, owner of The Barn Door said.
“Being a new business, it is crucial for me to have the opportunity to show off my bar.
“Three weeks on (…) we are receiving people to the bar who may not have ever ventured in those doors but for [the] help of the Heaton Pride Group and their show of belief in us to bring joy to those who need that safe space.”
Similarly, Emily Zachry, who owns The Last Resort on Heaton Road with husband Ben Maunder, recounted the successes of their drag cabaret and queer pub quiz.
“We had people queuing up outside. We were at capacity, and lots of new faces came into both events that we didn’t know,” she said.
“Watching our space become a place for performers and drag artists to perform was really, really special.”
Emily also highlighted the cooperation that such events promote between businesses, as well as the joy they can bring to both customers and staff alike.
“Working with Connor and Sarah, we got to meet quite a lot of people. And we certainly feel like we’re a lot closer and friendlier with other businesses on the road as well.
“Our staff said it was their favourite shift that they’ve ever done.” – Emily Zachry, The Last Resort
“Our staff said it was their favourite shift that they’ve ever done. So, yeah, I think we’re really keen to see what happens next year.”
When asked for her highlight of the weekend, Emily told of how a man said he’d been “walking around Heaton all weekend looking at all the flags and decorations, and he’s never felt so wanted.”
The group have since commended the ‘incredible’ support they received from Heaton and Ouseburn Councillors, with representatives from Heaton Council even contributing to an official litter-pick that took place following the weekend.
Image credit: Sarah White.
Speaking on the importance of community-based celebrations, Tiahna described how, amongst growing concerns around ‘pink washing’, bigger isn’t always better:
“I’ve been to Northern pride once before and it’s very overwhelming. There’s a lot of people, and it’s hard to get to for some people,” she points out.
“Having something local makes it more accessible and just a quieter, safer space. Our stuff is free, so that makes it more accessible as well.
“I think Heaton pride was really important, because it was supporting local, independent businesses. Northern pride – at the March – it’s very jarring to see all the corporations marching, and it does take away from pride being political.”
According to the organisers, a key aim of Heaton Pride was to provide a smaller alternative space to bigger events like Northern Pride, allowing for meaningful connections to be built within the community.
“Because Northern Pride is so big, you go there with your friends, you stay with your friends,” said Sarah.
“But with Heaton Pride, there’s an opportunity to actually have conversations and meet people that you maybe wouldn’t have met normally, go to different venues that you weren’t sure were accessible or safe spaces for you.
“That’s always been my main goal – to start the conversations between people who haven’t met a gay person or a trans woman, and understand more as to why we should be fighting for those rights.
“Northern Pride is great, and it should exist. But I think it’s really important to have other options (…) and the more spaces we have that are more diverse, the bigger outreach we’ll have.”
Heaton Pride are currently planning to hold their first annual general meeting in the coming months, to be followed by a public forum in which residents in the community can contribute feedback and suggestions for a planned return in 2026.