Eastleigh Price: Hundreds attend march for LGBTQ+ people

Members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community marched through the town on Saturday during the impressive Eastleigh Pride parade.

People of all ages were dressed up to the nines in rainbow finery, waving flags and shooting confetti as the march progressed.

The parade ended at Leigh Road Recreation Ground where entertainment and a variety of food and drink were on offer.

For David Trowbridge, the Pride event was about equality.

David Trowbridge (Image: Newsquest)

The 57-year-old from Eastleigh said: “My husband and I are a gay couple from Eastleigh, and we love that the town supports the LGBTQ+ community.

“We have come with our daughter, her wife and our grandchildren.

“We are here to have a great day and celebrate what it’s about.

“Everyone is looking for equality.

“There’s still a lot of prejudice, but today shows we are here to be celebrated and treated normally.”

For many, the annual event is about celebrating yourself and making new friends.

Clay Hurkett, 16, decided to attend the Pride parade on a whim – and made some new friends along the way.

Ashley Howell (centre left) and Clay Hurkett (centre right) with their friends at Eastleigh Pride (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “I wasn’t going to come to Pride, but I have made new friends today.”

READ MORE: In pictures: Hundreds descend on city centre for Southampton Pride 2023

Fellow attendee Karl James, 16, has been waiting several years to attend Eastleigh Pride.

He said: “I love going to Pride and I have wanted to see what Eastleigh Pride is like since I moved here.

“I want to meet other people; people who are not scared to be themselves and express themselves as well.”

The parade began at Market Street and ended at the recreation ground on Leigh Road.

Those marching walked through a sea of confetti before arriving at the park, which was full of rides and stalls.

Among those enjoying the festivities were couple Laura and Lucy Betteridge and their daughter Phoebe.

Lucy (left) and Laura Betteridge with their daughter Phoebe (Image: Newsquest)

The pair travelled down from Worcester for the event.

Laura, 32, said: “I am (originally) from Eastleigh, so we travelled down to be here today.

“I have never been to Eastleigh Pride, and this is Lucy’s first Pride along with Phoebe’s.

“Eastleigh Pride is good and there’s lots here.

“It’s important to show that it is okay to be gay or whatever you want to be.”