Southdown and UOK march in Brighton Pride Parade for the first time

Posted on 12 August 2025

On Saturday 2 August, Southdown and UOK Brighton & Hove proudly joined thousands of people to march in the Brighton Pride Parade for the very first time, and it was unforgettable.

With over 300,000 people celebrating Pride across the city, this was an incredible opportunity for us to show our solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and demonstrate our commitment to inclusion, equality, and visibility.

Organised by Southdown’s LGBTQ+ employee network, colleagues, clients, tenants, and friends walked together in a joyful, defiant, and united celebration of love, diversity, and acceptance.

Dominique Hall, from the employee network, explains why being part of the Pride Parade is so important:

“There’s been a lot of backlash recently against anyone who’s different so it’s really important to show we have been around forever and we’re going to be around forever. We’ve got a lot of LGBTQ employees and tenants and clients. Pride’s a really big part of the year to show solidarity with the community and for the community to have pride in themselves.”
– Dominique Hall

The parade route took three hours from the Peace Statue in Hove to Preston Park in Brighton, with thousands lining the streets to cheer and wave. The atmosphere was electric, the sun was shining, music was playing, and dancers filled the route with energy.
For much of the way, Rob Taylor from the employee network held hands with his partner Joseph. “I know it makes an impact to hold hands and show the world what we are proud to be!,” he said.

I would like to say how proud I am to everyone involved for bringing it together. Southdown offers mental health support to the community and by walking in the Parade we defiantly got the message across that we are there for everyone, especially at a time when society is being confronted by so many challenges.
– Rob Taylor

UOK at the parade

As the lead provider of UOK, Southdown works in partnership with local organisations to ensure people across the city can access the mental health and wellbeing support they need, when they need it. Pride was an opportunity not only to celebrate diversity, but also to show that mental health services are here for everyone, without judgement or barriers.

Brooke Joyce, Partnership Lead for UOK Brighton & Hove, shared what it meant for her to be present at the parade:

“I was incredibly proud to walk alongside colleagues, clients, and other fabulous people in the Pride Parade, as an LGBTQ+ ally representing UOK Brighton & Hove. On behalf of the partnership, I want to express our gratitude to everyone involved for the visibility, celebration, and powerful show of solidarity we achieved together.” – Brooke Joyce

This is us and we are proud

Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do at Southdown. We value every individual’s experience and believe we can only move forward when we bring everyone along with us.

Seeing our colleagues, clients, and friends take part in the Pride Parade with such joy, courage, and solidarity was a powerful reminder of how our values are lived every day by the people who make Southdown what it is.

One of our colleagues, Kirstie Gill, shared what the day meant to her:

“Pride is a protest – one that is still needed to fight for LGBTQ+ rights, which continue to be threatened. Marching alongside clients, tenants, and colleagues restored my hope for our communities and the world at large. It reminded me that love is really all that matters, and there is so much of it in and around us” – Kirstie Gill

“I am proud to work for an organisation that upholds values of acceptance and solidarity every day,” Kirstie added.

At our first Brighton Pride Parade, we walked in unity and celebration, proud to share Southdown’s message of inclusion and support for all.

Learn more about our EDI practices: https://www.southdown.org/about-us/equality-diversity-inclusion/

Explore more snippets from the day using the photo gallery below: