Newcastle-based electric train operator Lumo marched for LGBT+ rights at Newcastle‘s Pride march last weekend.

Jo Dutton, Jen Clare, David Hughes (all pictured), Jamie Danjoux, Kevin Watson and Managing Director Martijn Gilbert marched in costume as a Lumo train, and handed out recyclable paper flags to Pride supporters watching the parade.

The company – which is FirstGroup’s London-to-Edinburgh operator – also sponsored the city’s Pride Rainbow Village, at which it ran a stall, which offered Pride-goers the chance to enter competitions to win Lumo tickets. The stall distributed sustainably-produced merchandise including bamboo sunglasses, corn starch ponchos, plantable pens and drinks holder lanyards.

Workmates from Network Rail’s Archway LGBT+ group joined the group of Lumo staff was joined, as did local Drag Queen, Danni Delonco, who wore a Lumo-themed outfit. Danni’s costume was first created for the rail companies’ London Pride event at which Danni represented Lumo at King’s Cross station last month.

In June, Lumo launched its ‘Pride Partnerships Train’, wrapped in pride messaging and featuring logos of three LGBTQ+ companies it works with locally: Northern Pride, Curious Arts and the Pride Media Centre, home to the nationwide Pride Radio. Lumo’s work with these organisations includes various activities to support LGBTQ+ communities.

Lumo’s Managing Director Martijn Gilbert said: “We have had a fantastic time at Newcastle Pride, and being able to celebrate with the community is such a great way to mark our Pride partnerships and show our support.

“Everyone is welcome here at Lumo, both as customers and colleagues, and we place diversity and inclusivity at our heart. We hope our support of Pride events and partnerships helps to communicate that to an even wider audience.”