Latest news with #MarchwithPride
ITV News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Thousands expected to descend on city centre for saved Liverpool's Pride march
Tens of thousands of people are expected to march through Liverpool to celebrate Pride after celebrations were almost cancelled due to financial pressures. The annual celebrations had originally been called off for 2025, due to rising costs and difficulty securing funding, but it was saved when the region's LGBTQ+ and HIV charity Sahir House stepped in to run the event. Now called Liverpool's Pride, organisers say they "are pulling out all the stops" to uplift often marginalised members of the queer community, like Trans people, refugees, and those living with disabilities. What is the history behind Liverpool Pride? Liverpool's first official Pride event was held the weekend of 7 August 2010. It typically takes place at the end of July or early August to commemorate the death of Michael Causer, an 18-year-old gay man who was murdered in Liverpool. Michael died in hospital after he was seriously assaulted at a house party on 25 July 2008. His family, who set up a foundation in his name to help other young LGBTQ+ people, say he was killed because of his sexual orientation. When is this year's new Pride event taking place in Liverpool? Liverpool's Pride is taking place on Saturday 26 July. What is the new route for Liverpool's Pride march? The event, which has previously taken place at St George's Hall, will start at the city's Pier Head for the first time. Local LGBTQ+ activists and community voices will lead speeches from 10.30am at Pier Head before the parade at 11.30am. The route will begin from Three Graces at the city's waterfront, along Strand Street and Salthouse Quay at the Albert Dock before ending at the M&S Bank Arena where a ticketed event will take place at noon. The 2025 march will be led by trans rights group Protect Scouse Dolls, followed by Block One – the only designated marching block, created specifically for LGBTQ+ people living with disabilities and neurodivergent LGBTQ+ people. Organisers say they will "set the pace" for the rest of the march, "helping to create a calmer, more accessible experience for everyone". Liverpool Pride say the new route has been designed to be shorter, step-free and wheelchair friendly to ensure the everybody can enjoy the parade. Is anything happening after the march? The march concludes at the M&S Bank Arena, leading straight into a main celebration event - a vibrant afternoon of LGBTQ+ joy, creativity, and community. Four hours of live performances are scheduled to take place by a wide variety of "incredible" local LGBTQ+ performers The event will also feature a community marketplace with around 40 stalls including charities, queer makers, food, drink, and services The inclusive event is for everyone who marched with Pride – and for those cheering us on from the side-lines - with tickets costing £5.50. Why did LCR Pride cancel the 2025 event and how was it saved? The LCR Pride Foundation, the charity behind the annual March with Pride, announced in June that the event was cancelled due to 'significant financial and organisational challenges'. Organisers said it had become impossible to deliver the event, which had been scheduled for Saturday 26 July, due to rising costs and a struggle to secure both local and national funding. It added that reverting to "a mainly volunteer-led model" and tight planning timescales also played a major part. But a month after the announcement, Sahir House, the city's oldest LGBTQ+ charity, shared on social media that they had 'turned things around' and Pride was back on. The charity said in a statement on its website: 'This year, we're proudly calling it Liverpool's Pride – with an apostrophe and an 's' – because this Pride belongs to all of us.
ITV News
05-06-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Liverpool Pride 2025 cancelled following funding and planning struggles
Pride in Liverpool and the city's March with Pride will not go ahead in 2025, organisers have confirmed, citing 'significant financial and organisational challenges.' The LCR Pride Foundation, the charity behind the annual event, announced the cancellation of the celebration, which had been scheduled for Saturday 26 July. In a statement, the organisation said it had become impossible to deliver the event after reverting to a mainly volunteer-led model and struggling to secure both local and national funding. Rising costs and tight planning timescales also played a major part. The decision was further complicated by the cutting of ties with long-term sponsor Barclays, the charity said, a move which was made after 'listening to the community.' While the Foundation says it stands by the decision, it acknowledged it caused further delays during an already challenging period. "We are devastated that we will not be able to march together this year, at a time when coming together to stand in solidarity, protest and celebration is needed more than ever,' the LCR Pride Foundation said. 'However, we strongly believe that this is the right decision to secure the future of Pride in Liverpool, and to enable a return in 2026.' they continued. The Foundation added that planning discussions with Liverpool City Council and city-based sponsors are already underway to ensure the event can return stronger in 2026. Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, called the news 'hugely disappointing' but said it was a decision the organisers had 'tried valiantly to avoid.' 'Its absence will be keenly felt,' he said, 'particularly given the ever-growing need to support our community and promote unity. The Council will continue to support the Foundation in their long-term efforts.' In the meantime, the LCR Pride Foundation says it will support regional Pride events and look at alternative ways to bring the LGBTQ+ community together later in the year.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Liverpool Pride cancelled amid financial pressures
Liverpool's annual Pride event and the city's March with Pride have been cancelled amid "significant financial and organisational challenges". LCR Pride Foundation, which organises the event, which was due to take place on 26 July, said "with great sadness" it would "regretfully" not go ahead. The charity said rising costs and difficulty securing funding had made it "impossible to bring Pride in Liverpool this year". About 60,000 people turned out for last year's event, the largest number ever to attend. LCR Pride Foundation's board of directors said: "In recent months the charity has faced significant financial and organisational challenges, which have impacted timescales and resulted in it reverting to an almost entirely volunteer-led operation. "This, combined with rising costs and difficulty securing national and local funding, has made it impossible to bring Pride in Liverpool to the city this year." "We are devastated we will not be able to march together this year, at a time when coming together to stand in solidarity, protest and celebration is needed more than ever, and we understand how difficult this will be for our community." They added: "However, we strongly believe it is the right decision to ensure both the continuation of the organisation and to enable the return of Pride in Liverpool and our march in 2026." It said discussions with Liverpool City Council and a number of sponsors were already under way for next year's event and it was exploring other ways to bring the community together later in the year. Councillor Harry Doyle, the council's cabinet member for health, wellbeing and culture, said it was "hugely disappointing, especially given the success of last year's event". He continued: "I know it's a decision LCR Pride Foundation has tried valiantly to avoid. However, given the difficult circumstances they find themselves in it's also understandable and from a long-term point of view, it's the right decision for them." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Record crowds descend on city's Pride event LCR Pride Foundation Liverpool City Council
