Oswestry Pride Thrives Amidst Online Hate

Oswestry Pride celebrated its most successful year to date, according to lead organiser Jen Deere. The event, held recently in Cae Glas Park, saw hundreds of attendees and passed peacefully. Despite the positive atmosphere and community support, Deere noted a concerning increase in negative comments on social media during the event's build-up.

Securing sponsorships proved more difficult this year, with fewer local businesses displaying Pride support. Deere suggested this may be due to concerns about businesses being targeted or penalized for their involvement. The grassroots event relies heavily on donations and sponsorships to highlight local queer talent rather than performers from larger cities.

Deere emphasized the event's family-friendly nature and its importance in normalizing queer adults in a community context. Although facing online hate and financial hurdles, the organiser expressed gratitude for continued support, particularly from a long-standing sponsor, highlighting the vital role such contributions play in enabling the celebration.