Durham Pride signs union agreement for performers

For the first time in its history, the organisers of Durham Pride have signed a brand new agreement with Equity. The trade union represents 50,000 performers and creative practitioners, such as actors, drag artists, cabaret performers, and more.

The agreement sets minimum standards for pay, terms, and conditions for performers who work at Durham Pride. Alongside an agreement with Manchester Pride, it is one of the first Pride agreements to be brokered by Equity.

News of the agreement comes after Reform-led Durham County Council cut the budget for this year’s event completely. Despite this, the event is going ahead on Saturday 30 May.

The organisers of Durham Pride will be in attendance at Equity’s annual conference, which takes place in Durham from 9-11 May. They will be taking part in a presentation on the Saturday night that celebrates the trade union history and Pride in the region.

Commenting ahead of Equity conference, general secretary Paul W Fleming said:

Equity conference will again be a campaigning conference, and we’re starting with a win – celebrating one of the UK’s first collective agreements for a Pride event, based in the City of Durham.

The hosts of our conference venue at the Miners’ Hall are the Durham Miners’ Association, who fought for and funded Durham Pride when the Reform County Council pulled the plug.

We’re excited to bring Equity delegates to the Pitman’s Parliament, an incredible place which is testament to what our movement can build when we’re accountable, aspirational, collective, and industrial.

Commenting on the agreement, Dominic Bascombe, Equity’s official for the North East, Yorkshire & Humber, said:

This agreement with Durham Pride UK is a recognition of the importance of union agreed terms and conditions in all workplaces with Equity members.

The Durham Pride agreement, the Manchester Pride agreement, and all of the other Pride agreements that we are going to see signed this year, celebrate the equality and hard-won rights of the LGBT+ community and uphold this spirit through decent conditions for their workforce.

It is Equity’s ambition to make union agreements the norm for Pride events across the country.

Mel Metcalf, chair of Durham Pride UK said:

We are really pleased that Durham is leading the way in the start of Pride agreements with Equity. A safe, fair and equitable working environment is what we strive for every year. This year’s Pride is set to be the biggest and best yet!

Equity member and Durham based drag artist Miss Tess Tickle said:

As a North East drag artist, I’m really proud to see Durham Pride taking this step and working with Equity to set proper minimum standards for performers.

Drag, cabaret, and live performance are a huge part of what makes Pride celebrations vibrant and meaningful, and the artists who give their time, energy, and creativity deserve fair pay, clear terms, and professional respect.

This agreement is a positive move not just for Durham Pride, but for Pride events across the region and the UK. It shows that our community celebrations can also lead the way in supporting the people who bring them to life on stage.

It’s also inspiring to see the event going ahead despite the recent council budget cuts. Pride has always been built on resilience and community support, and this moment reflects exactly that!

Huge congratulations to the Durham Pride team and to Equity for working together to make this happen. I hope this becomes the standard for Prides everywhere.

Here’s to Durham Pride 2026 being the best Durham Pride to date!

Featured image via Durham Pride