WHO ARE WE?

DIY Pride Reading are queer trans-inclusive, intersectional, anti-racist, anti-capitalist folks who have come together to organise a Pride in which Reading can actually be proud.

We came together in 2024 to found DIY Pride Reading and ran an all-day event on 31 August to offer an alternative space for queers who wanted to boycott Reading Pride and to build community within Reading beyond Pride.

Bringing together over 30 volunteers and creatives for our all-ages event, we ran collaborative workshops and activities during the day and an over-18s cabaret in the evening. In 2024, we raised £1070 for Medical Aid for Palestine, Care for Gaza, and local gender affirming care.

We stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine and their struggle for freedom, justice, and equality. We are inspired by and take guidance from alternative prides across the UK as well as the LAD Fund and Queers for Palestine.

Our founding members belong to the Reading queer community. Some are involved in or lead a range of local queer groups including Double Okay, Dogmouth Theatre, Reading Sapphics Social, Reading Queer Poetry Circle, and Reading Queer Social.