Vikki Slade MP Joins In First Ever Pride Celebration In Wimborne

Last Saturday, the 13th June, Wimborne’s Folk Festival hosted the town's first ever Pride celebration which included marching in the parade and gathering in the square to raise awareness for the movement.

Organised by Phil Webb, who was outed as gay while serving as Wimborne Minster’s mayor more than three decades ago, local MP Vikki Slade also attended to join in the celebrations.

The journey for Pride hasn’t been without its controversies in the small town. Two men, claiming to be from a local church, attended the small consultation meeting and suggested it might be inappropriate for sexual or gender orientations to be included in the folk festival dance parade.

Vikkie Slade MP - “Wimborne’s Pride celebration is long overdue, and what a fantastic success it’s been. Everyone deserves to feel seen and represented, and it was fantastic to see the LGBTQ+ community celebrated so openly.

In a close-knit town like Wimborne, where Pride hasn’t had a presence before, these moments matter. For LGBTQ+ people, particularly those who feel alone, Pride creates a safe space to connect, be visible, and feel part of a supportive community.”

Vikki Slade MP has expressed hopes that Wimborne Pride will become an annual tradition and will grow to a become an even larger celebration in future - “I hope this is just the beginning. Wimborne Pride has the potential to grow into an even bigger annual celebration for the whole town.”

A long-standing advocate for the rights of trans people, the MP recently spoke out in the Parliamentary EHRC debate:

Vikkie Slade MP - “I'm deeply concerned that the EHRC guidance has let down the group of people most affected by these changes. Where is the concern for the human rights of Trans and non-binary people? Where is the concern for their privacy? I will continue to speak out in solidarity to ensure their rights and dignity are respected.”