Pride in Liverpool will showcase a ‘city full of pride’ with elements of the annual festival being spread across the whole city centre this year, allowing pride-goers to experience the event in a totally unique way.
LCR Pride Foundation’s Annual theme “Shout It Loud” will see a city centre take over during its flagship event, Pride In Liverpool which takes place this coming weekend on Saturday 29 July.
Based on feedback, the region’s LGBT+ charity has focused on elements that the community have said they value the most including pop-up community performances, family-friendly spaces and a diverse series of ‘fringe events’ around the city.
Working with VisitLiverpool.com, the new approach to Pride in Liverpool means that everyone attending can make their day unique and reflect what pride means to them; whether taking to the streets in protest, a party atmosphere, or a more laid-back experience, they can find or create an itinerary which suits them best.
Continuing the city’s Eurovision legacy and solidarity with Ukraine, the highlight of the day will see Liverpool play host to Kyiv’s annual Pride march this year. The city region’s annual ‘March with Pride’ is being held jointly with KyivPride, the LGBT+ organisation of the Ukrainian capital as well welcoming Ukrainian delegates and community members from across the UK and Europe
This year’s theme ‘Shout it Loud’ encourages local LGBT+ people to be proud of who they are. Harking back to the first ever pride marches, where standing up and shouting loud for rights was so important.
Andi Herring, CEO and Co-Founder of LCR Pride Foundation, said: “The lives of the LGBT+ community have been under intense scrutiny over the past few years, across the globe. From attacks on Drag Queens and the proposed criminalisation of their livelihoods, to the constant and steady erosion of trans rights perpetuated by governments, media and other organisations.
“LGBT+ people are a global community, and that’s why it is crucial that we ‘Shout It Loud’ in solidarity with all LGBT+ people across the world. We are honoured to be hosting KyivPride this year and standing alongside the work they do in Ukraine for our community. Of course, it would be hard to forget our reasons behind hosting Eurovision and the lasting bond with Ukraine that will remain with us.
“Our region will be, and will remain to be, ‘full of pride’, defiantly and unapologetically. The LCR Pride Foundation will continue to strive for the rights of all LGBT+ people to be able to live their lives authentically and without persecution, wherever we live.”
“Eurovision showed us the whole city can embrace an event of this scale, which is why we’re so thrilled that Pride in Liverpool will be taking a different approach this year by bringing the entire city centre together. We’re very excited to see how the whole day develops.”
Councillor Jane Aston, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Resources said; “Pride in Liverpool is a flagship event for the LGBT+ community across the Liverpool City Region and beyond. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever to give as many people as possible the opportunity to be involved in celebrating, supporting and demonstrating allyship and marching in support of LGBT+ rights.”
As well as the specially curated zones for the 2023 event, there will also be a host of pop-up entertainment from local community performers taking place at Liverpool ONE, Royal Albert Dock and St John Shopping Centre.
March with Pride: St George’s Hall
Continuing the city’s Eurovision legacy and solidarity with Ukraine, LCR Pride Foundation, Liverpool City Region’s LGBT+ charity is teaming up with KyivPride to march on their behalf.
Starting at St George’s Hall, attendees are asked to arrive from 10.30am before the march begins at 12pm. Whilst free to attend for all individuals, organisations and businesses that wish to take part are asked to make a suggested donation to help LCR Pride Foundation cover the costs of staging the event.
Registration and more information is available at: www.lcrpride.co.uk/march
Food and Drink Zone with Liverpool Live Radio: Pier Head
As this year’s march concludes at the Pier Head, the incredible Katumba drummers will greet attendees. In place of a main stage, the Pier Head will be transformed into a Food and Drink Zone with food & drink vendors and seating, making a more relaxed, chilled out atmosphere for all visitors. Open from 12 noon until 6pm – please note the space has a limited capacity and you may be asked to queue or return later.
Community Zone & Pride House: Mann Island
Pride House returns following a successful two week tenure during Eurovision. Located at RIBA North, Pride House is a community safe space with stalls, an exhibition from KyivPride, and cafe space managed by local favourite Lovelocks – open daily until the 4th August.
Attendees will also be able to find out more about local LGBT+ organisations and small businesses in the Mann Island atrium between 12 noon and 6pm.
Health and Wellbeing Zone: Museum of Liverpool
The Health and Wellbeing Zone situated outside the Museum of Liverpool is a place where you can find many of the health services and organisations serving the community as well as wellbeing activity such as Zumba, Yoga and other workshops throughout the day. Stalls and activity will be running from 12noon – 6pm.
Liverpool Loves You Garden Party: St Nicholas Church Gardens
Following a successful event in 2023, Liverpool Loves You is an event to celebrate LGBT+ lives and standing against LGBT+ hate in all corners of society. A laid back garden party space with family friendly activities will conclude with a vigil at 5:30pm, open to anyone who wishes to join.
This zone is suitable for all ages and features child-friendly activities such as LEGO and giant chess to help young people explore their imagination and creativity in a thoughtful and harmonious environment. It also acts as a safe space for LGBT+ people of faith and none to come together to mark Pride in Liverpool.
Fringe and Partner Events: across the City Centre
In addition to all of these events and happenings, there are a number of further pop-up performances, markets and parties across the city centre. Look out for these in Liverpool ONE, Royal Albert Dock, Metquarter and at St Johns Shopping Centre.
For those who are after more of a party atmosphere, the city’s Pride Quarter will be the place to go for performances to keep the celebrations going until the night. Including street parties hosted by The Masquerade (Cumberland Street), GBar (Eberle Street) and Elysium (Tempest Hey).
A number of fringe events organised by local businesses will take place across the city centre in the week running up to and during Pride in Liverpool. From drag brunches to film and theatre performances, and a Mersey Ferries evening cruise on the Mersey, Liverpool will truly be transformed into ‘a city full of pride’.
Further details on fringe events and activities can be found via www.prideinliverpool.co.uk
Updates and more information on this year’s events and activities will be shared via the LCR Pride Foundation’s newsletter and social media. You can sign up by visiting lcrpride.co.uk.
About LCR Pride Foundation
LCR Pride Foundation was established in 2019 with the aim of making the Liverpool City Region the most LGBT+ friendly region in the UK.
The organisation champions the rights of LGBT+ people living in and visiting the region. It fights to highlight the daily barriers they face and create an inclusive culture for all to enjoy and participate in, through a diverse programme of events, initiatives, and campaigns.
For more information visit: www.lcrpride.co.uk
About KyivPride
KyivPride is a Ukrainian non-profit, the largest pride organisation in the region. Founded in 2012 as an initiative group, KyivPride was registered in 2016 and turned into the community organisation advocating for the LGBTQI rights on the national level. In 2022 after the beginning of Russian invasion in Ukraine KyivPride started humanitarian programs for the LGBTQI community all over the country.
For more information visit: kyivpride.org
