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  "path": "/2026/06/10/pride-flags-set-fire-torn-defiant-lgbt-group-marches-28711371/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-10T06:00:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "News",
    "UK",
    "Crime News",
    "LGBTQ+",
    "Northamptonshire",
    "Pride",
    "Asda",
    "charities",
    "LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel",
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  "textContent": "Residents in Rushden were left devastated after the banner was left with big, black holes scorched through (Picture: Lisa Matthewman)\n\nAn LGBQT+ event is installing extra security measures after a Pride banner was burnt by homophobes just a few days after it was put up.\n\nResidents in Rushden, Northamptonshire, were left ‘devastated’ after the banner, which was made for a three-day Pride event, was left with big, black holes scorched through.\n\nIt had lasted just four days after it was erected on some local railings last Wednesday, with the burn marks appearing on Saturday.\n\nAnd it is not the group’s first banner. Their original one suddenly disappeared after being placed outside of Asda on Washbrook Road.\n\nSapphire Matthewman, one of the organisers of Rushden Pride, said she was ‘distraught’ upon finding out their latest one, which cost around £160 was set alight\n\nShe told Metro: ‘It’s not surprising, when we announced the event with one of the banners there were loads of comments saying “burn it”.\n\n‘I can’t talk about it without crying. Because it’s not just taking from us, we have partnered with two charities, Serve and Stonewall. It feels like they are taking from them.’\n\nRushden Pride were advertising the three-day event they were hosting for Pride (Picture: Rushden pride)\n\nRushden Pride will still go ahead despite the banner burning, but with increased security.\n\n##  Join Metro's LGBTQ+ community on WhatsApp\n\nWith thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community.\n\nSimply **click on this link** , select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in! Don't forget to turn on notifications!\n\nSapphire said police will patrol the event, as well as tightened security on who can enter.\n\nTraya Buns, a drag queen who paid £160 out of their own pocket to pay for the now-burnt banner, described it as a ‘kick in the guts’ as homophobia rises in the area.\n\nThey told Metro: ‘Something inside me told me this banner, like the last one, won’t last.’\n\nTraya said they have suffered a growing number of homophobic assaults in public.\n\nSapphire Matthewman at Rushden Pride last year (Picture: Rushden Pride)\n\nThis includes being called a ‘tranny’ in public and spending hours deleting social media accounts.\n\nThames Valley Police: ‘The incident happened between 9pm on Friday, June 5, and midday on Saturday, June 6, and the local Neighbourhood Policing Team are investigating it, not only as one of criminal damage, but also as a suspected hate crime.\n\n‘In addition, the team are also investigating the theft of a previous banner.\n\n‘We are engaging with the organisers of Rushden Pride and the local LGBT+ community relating to this incident and forthcoming Pride events. Anyone with any concerns is welcome to contact us.’\n\n******Get in touch with our news team by emailing us atwebnews@metro.co.uk.******\n\n**For more stories like this,** check our news page.\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Pride flags set on fire and torn down but defiant LGBT+ group marches on"
}