THE crowds were out in force today (Saturday, July 18) for Truro Pride, which saw the LGBTQIA+ flag carried through the city centre in support of sexual and gender minorities.

Organiser Cornwall Pride was joined by supporters including Fighting with Pride – the Armed Forces LGBTQ+ charity, the Intercom Trust for young people, Citizens Advice Cornwall and others for a fair on Lemon Quay.

However, the event was significantly smaller than last year’s with a gazebo performer space rather than a main stage due to the event not being funded through the National Lottery unlike other Cornwall pride events.

Stallholders were also told the parade had “pivoted from a celebratory parade to a solidarity march … because increasing hostility towards LGBTQ+ people and other marginalised communities”, with organisers calling for participants to “stand together visibly for dignity, safety and solidarity”.

The move followed the cancellation of a toddler storytime by local drag queens in Camborne following social media comments that led to a fear for public safety.

Cornwall Pride operations director Aaron Monk said: “Five years ago, when I put out road closure notices, the comments were along the lines of ‘The circus has arrived.’ You can brush that kind of thing off.

“Now, however, they are saying things like: ‘I’m going to drive through the road closures.’ The hatred and vitriol is such that if we didn’t change from a celebration to a march, blood would run in the streets and we’d be holding vigils.

“Even as a cis white male who isn’t overly camp, I don’t feel I can walk down the street holding my husband’s hand. If I’m feeling threatened, I can only imagine what it’s like for a trans person. If we can’t do that, then we don’t truly have equality, and need to keep fighting until we get there.”

Addressing the crowd, Truro’s deputy mayor Loic Rich said: “There is no space for hate in Truro, but there is lots of space for love and kindness. Pride will always be welcome here. The energy has been incredible.”