By Mabel Wellman. Main image: Rachel Jones.
Southampton Pride 2026 is now over, and whilst it was a wet one, it was still a fantastic weekend.
The two day Pride event kicked off with the protest march from Queen’s Park, to the Pride event at Guildhall Square. There were fewer people than in previous years due to the sporadic weather and sudden heavy downpours whilst crowds assembled. At 11am, the march started, with a front row of trans people and protesters leading a number of chants for the LGBTQIA+ community.
As the march proceeded up Above Bar Street, a much smaller gang of people (who we suspected were Millwall supporters to watch the football match) booed and swore at us on the march. Undeterred, we made sure to chant louder and only allowed their stupidity to give us more energy on our march. I can only hope that made them feel a bit better about themselves before Saints FC thrashed the losers 5-1.
It’s sad to say in previous years on Southampton Pride and Trans Pride Southampton marches that the same pubs on the High Street and Above Bar Street have had these issues with their patrons being aggressive to us as we march by – whilst these venues’ security seemingly stare at the nearest brick wall and pick their noses. It’s to fight against this intolerance which is exactly why Pride must remain a protest and keep on happening.
Once the march arrived at Pride, a number of us at the front were invited by organisers to take to the main stage, and help present the Trans Unity Quilt to the crowd. The Trans Unity Quit is a piece of textile protest art, put together by the Good Law Project with two trans co-designers CN Lester and Mars Callick and has been put together with patches distributed by trans people all across the UK.
The Trans Unity Quilt has started to be taken to Prides all across the UK, and Southampton Pride 2026 was the first one on its journey.
Over the weekend a great number of acts could be seen on a variety of stages. There was the Main Stage (with an accessibility viewing area); the Community Stage in the Civic Centre car park; for young people in the Youth Zone there was a Youth Stage; and inside the Trans Zone in The Stage Door there was a stage being used throughout the weekend.
There were a variety of food stalls and bars dotted throughout the site, with a dedicated Market Village returning inside the Guildhall.
It is very unfortunate that the weather was bad during the day. However, I still had a fantastic weekend. Thanks to the Guildhall being open again and the new Trans+ Zone, there was a very large amount of space under shelter to make it an enjoyable weekend.
The stallholders in the Guildhall were fantastic, there were a number of charities and organisations showing their inclusivity for queer people as well as spreading awareness about what they do, as well as local businesses.
Inside the Trans+ Zone there were a number of acts playing music, two panel discussions, as well as poetry and important speeches, as well as exclusive stalls and trans+ art and history pieces on display.
My favourite performance on the Main Stage this year was Chappell Roan UK on Sunday, I do not go to many gigs or music venues as I would like due to work and volunteering conflicts, so being able to have a full weekend of great acts and music, for no entry cost at all, is a real treat people for people in Southampton.
The Trans+ Zone was a very popular space through the weekend, particularly on the Saturday with the panel discussions about the recent EHRC guidance, and how to make Southampton more trans inclusive.
My favourite performance on Saturday was the Dripping Raspberries, and on Sunday my favourite was the “Great Aunt Tranni Is Very Disappointed” poetry piece by Nicola Beck. It does need to be said that the space given for the Trans+ Zone was not accessible this year due to it being part of a venue with no wheelchair accessibility. Southampton Pride has made great strides in improving their accessibility for disabled people in the past few years, so it will be interesting to see how a Trans+ Zone can be planned next year to make proper adjustments and arrangements to support the whole trans+ community.
Overall, Southampton Pride returned for its 10th Year in a fabulous fashion. It is a shame the weather could not have cooperated in the celebrations, but I and many others still had a lovely time.
Roll onto to 2027 where Southampton will host UK Pride next August, and we might even get a bit of sunshine!
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