--- title: "Help stop Reform councils from banning Pride" date: "2026-06-19T12:50:53+01:00" modified: "2026-06-19T13:23:56+01:00" url: "https://humanists.uk/action/reform-banning-pride/" post_id: 192087 --- # Help stop Reform councils from banning Pride ![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/Newspaper-Headline-Reform-led-Council.png?resize=1200%2C600&ssl=1)### **Reform UK-led councils in Havering, Essex, Sunderland, and Gateshead are taking down Pride flags, cancelling ceremonies, and withdrawing support from events that celebrate LGBT+ people and their place in our communities.** We know this is about more than flags and festivities. After centuries of persecution and criminalisation, Pride is a visible statement that LGBT+ people belong. It tells LGBT+ families, neighbours, colleagues, and friends that they are part of the community around them and that our public institutions recognise their freedom to live openly and without fear. Local authorities removing that support sends an equally clear message. Telling LGBT+ people that their visibility is controversial and that intolerance is acceptable again. Councils should be helping everyone feel part of local life. Pulling back from Pride does the opposite. **It is not the UK that we recognise.** Humanists have long stood for LGBT+ rights: equality, freedom of expression, and a society where everyone can live by their own values so long as they do not harm others. Public life should be guided by compassion, reason, and respect. We should reject culture-war politics and cynical attempts to pick on minorities or push them out of sight. At Humanists UK, we believe that this is a moment to speak up. By standing with us, you are saying: #### **I will not stand by while councils turn their backs on LGBT+ people** #### **I will not accept division and intolerance disguised as neutrality** #### **I will defend a UK where everyone is free to live openly, equally, and without fear** The voices trying to make LGBT+ people disappear are loud. Together, we can be louder. Humanists UK will be sending this petition to the equalities minister to raise this as a matter of urgency. Add your name today and show that you stand with Pride, with equality, and with every LGBT+ person who deserves to feel at home in their community. #### **Thanks for adding your name. Now, will you help fuel the campaign for a fairer, more tolerant UK?** Our movement is standing up for human and animal rights, justice, and equality – and together we’re changing the law on key issues such as non-stun slaughter, abortion, and LGBT rights. Will you help power our campaigns by becoming a member today? [**Yes, I’ll become a member**](https://humanists.uk/join/) Not right now, sorry #### **We know that not everyone can commit to membership at this time – but will you consider a one-off donation instead?** Every one of our campaigns, from standing up for the rights of humans and animals, to decriminalising abortion, is fuelled by people like you. **If you believe in a fairer, more tolerant UK, will you help build it by making a one-off donation today?** [**Give £20**](https://humanists.uk/donate/) [**Give £10**](https://humanists.uk/donate/) [**Give £5**](https://humanists.uk/donate/) [**Give another amount**](https://humanists.uk/donate/) Not right now, sorry #### **Now – will you share this and help our movement grow?** It will take all of us standing together to build a tolerant society that reflects our values. Will you share now, so others can sign too? [**Share on Facebook**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fhumanists.uk%2Faction%2Freform-banning-pride%2F) [**Share on WhatsApp**](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=https%3A%2F%2Fhumanists.uk%2Faction%2Freform-banning-pride%2F) Not right now, sorry #### **Before you go – read 2,000 years of Humanist wisdom in this fascinating book.** The Little Book of Humanism offers universal lessons on finding meaning, purpose, and joy in our ever more uncertain world. Get yours now: [**Get the Little Book of Humanism**](https://humanists.uk/the-little-book-series/) Not right now, sorry ### **And finally: will you join us on social media so you don’t miss a thing?** Thank you again for adding your name – it means the world! For key updates from the campaign to ban harmful religious conversion therapy, make sure you follow us on social media right now. We’re on all the usual places: [**Follow on Bluesky**](https://bsky.app/profile/humanists.uk) [**Follow on Facebook**](https://www.facebook.com/humanists.uk/) [**Follow on Threads**](https://www.threads.net/@humanists_uk?hl=en-gb) PS: if you’ve opted in to get emails from us, we’ll be in touch soon. If not, don’t miss out on exclusive opportunities to sign up to events and hear more about humanism – [sign up now](https://humanists.uk/register/) – it only takes 30 seconds.