THEGAYUK

Tag: Durham News

Get the latest LGBT+ Durham news from THEGAYUK. Breaking news, features and interviews from the gay community in Durham, in England, UK.

  • TRAVEL GUIDE | Gay Durham

    Durham is a city in the Northeast of England, its proximity to Newcastle means that you might need to leave town to go gay.

    how gay friendly is durham
    So what is in Durham for gay travellers and LGBT guests? Gay clubs and bars are thin on the ground in the actual city of Durham, you need to travel to Newcastle which is about 15 miles away from Durham.

    Generally speaking Durham is a safe place to be and the police in the area are committed to ending homo/bi and transphobia. There have been numerous reports in recent times of homophobic attacks or abuse. Caution is advised over public displays of affection between same-sex couples.

    As a plus, all three of Durham’s Labour MPs Roberta Blackman-Woods, Kevan Jones and Pat Glass (who no longer serves the North West Durham) voted in favour of same-sex marriage back in 2013.

    Gay Bars

    Are there any gay bars in Durham? The short answer is no. However, there is an LGBT+ night on Monday nights at Osbourne’s Bar.

    Is there a LGBT pride in Durham?
    (FILE PHOTO) TuendeBede / Pixabay

    Durham has a yearly Pride event.

    There is a yearly pride event held in Durham. This year it takes place on the last May bank holiday weekend (Sunday 27th May). You can find out more about the event here.

    how gay friendly is durham

    Are there any gay saunas in Durham?

    The nearest gay saunas/bathhouses to Durham are located in Newcastle which is 15 miles further north. There is the  Number 52 sauna, Base Newcastle. There was a sauna called H2O but it looks to have closed.

    Number 52 and Base offer entry to non-members for £12.

    Any LGBT Hotels in Durham?

    There aren’t any gay or LGBT+ hotels available in Durham. However, you can check for the best deals from Hotels.com, Booking.com and Travelodge

    Meeting gay guys in Durham?

    If you’re looking for a connect to gay and bisexual guys in Durham why not join our free social network.

    What's gay in Durham

    How to get to Durham

    By road
    Durham is only two miles from the A1(M). Leave the motorway at Junction 62 on the A690 Durham – Sunderland road and follow signs to Durham City Centre.

    By rail
    There are 60 trains from most major cities in the country calling at Durham each day. There are 14 trains from London, which takes under three hours from Kings Cross.

    By air
    Durham is 30 minutes’ drive from Newcastle Airport and about 40 minutes from Durham Tees Valley. Both serve domestic and international flights. Durham is linked to Newcastle Airport by rail and metro. To look for flights click here

     


     

  • Everything You Need To Know About Durham Pride 2018

    If you’re planning to go to Durham pride here’s everything you need to know before the 2018 event.

    This year’s Durham Pride takes place on the on Sunday 27th May 2018 to celebrate the diversity of the LGBT+ community of Durham and surrounding areas. This year’s event will be the fifth in Durham.

    What time does Durham Pride begin?

    The Durham Pride parade officially begins at 1 PM until 6 PM.

    Is there a parade?

    Yes, the parade leaves from Palace Green from 1.15 PM. People taking part in the parade are asked to make sure they’re at the green from 12:30 PM.

    Where is Durham Pride?

    Durham Pride takes place at the Sands Durham, the official postcode for the venue is: DH1 1LH, with an official after party held at KLUTE Durham.

    What does Durham Pride cost?

    Durham Pride is free for everyone to take part in however you can purchase VIP tickets for the main stage tent. VIP tickets cost £10 and include, Access to VIP Bar/toilets and best stage views, Fast track entry to Afterparty at Klute Durham (before 8pm),
    VIP tickets 18+ only for Afterparty. All proceeds go to Durham Pride and charity.

    What entertainment will there be at Durham Pride?

    This year the organisers have invited “Black Heart” hitmakers, Stooshe. Along with X Factor heartthrob Lloyd Daniels. There’s also the Northern Proud Voices choir, Mickey Modelle, Smashby, Tess Tickle and the Dragettes and Love Inc, featuring Simone Denny. The cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert will also be singing hits from the show.

    Does Durham Pride have a website?

    Absolutely. You can view all thing Durham Pride HERE

    What should I bring to pride?

    We’ve created a list of Pride survival ideas. Take a look – but don’t forget to bring sunscreen, money and fully charged phone!

    Need a place to stay? Check out our Hotel partners at Hotels.com for available hotels and B&Bs in the Durham area. Check the Travelodge website for the best deals.

     

  • Gay charity GADD set to close after fatal funding cuts

    One of Northern England’s longest running  LGBT+ charities, aimed at tackling homophobia and giving advice on LGBT sexual and mental health issues is set to close.

    © chrisbradshaw Depositphotos

    Gay Advice Darlington/Durham is to close its doors in late April for the last time after deep and “savage” funding cuts from the current Conservative government. From 1997 the charity has been funded by the County Durham and Darlington Health Authority for its work in South County Durham and Darlington Borough Council to support those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS in Darlington.

    The charity’s chief officer, Emma Roebuck wrote on her LinkedIn profile,

    “The organisation I have invested 18 years of my life in GADD is coming to an end. In April we will close the doors for the last time and I feel adrift in mixed emotions most of which are negative and useless.

    “…The current situation with austerity and cuts to organisations such as GADD have made it impracticable to function without serious mission drift in the name of sustainability”.

    According to Emma, the charity’s popularity has not dwindled and demand for its services is as high as it has ever been.

    She continued,

    “I do worry for those who have sought out support or will do in the future. LGBT+ people in the area now have no voice or safe place to call their own. The demand for help by those in need has not waned or dwindled but the financial help to drive that support has dropped significantly to the point the costs of the building and its services is unsustainable’.

    Board of Trustee member Phillippa Scrafton said,

    ‘GADD has operated for several years facing unrelenting financial challenges from within

    “GADD has operated for several years facing unrelenting financial challenges from within an economic landscape of a wholly ‘ideological’ austerity agenda imposed by this Tory Government.”

    “Savage cuts to local government funding have impacted on us terribly which ultimately affects the most vulnerable. In my opinion the situation we face is firmly at the feet of this out of touch Government and their ‘cuts’ agenda!”

    MP for Darlington, Jenny Chapman told THEGAYUK,

    “It’s terrible news. Sad that such a long standing important charity is closing. Question now is, what do we do next?”

     

    THEGAYUK reached out to the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust for comment.