Pride is back in Liverpool with a new name - and ‘it’s going to be boss!’

Pride is back in Liverpool – and according to charity leader Ant Hopkinson ‘it’s going to be boss’.

Ant is chief executive of Sahir House, the city’s LGBTQ+ and HIV charity, which has stepped in to save the event after it was cancelled by original organisers LCR Pride Foundation due to rising costs and a lack of funding.

He says it’ll happen this year under a new name, Liverpool’s Pride.

And he adds:

“It’s going to be boss.

“The new name is more than just a change of words. It reflects a shift in ownership, in purpose, and in place.

“This is Liverpool’s Pride, rooted in our communities and led by and for the people of this city, and built with love, resistance, creativity, and defiance.”

LCR Pride Foundation had said last month it was ‘with great sadness’ that the July 26 celebrations and parade would not now go ahead.

It revealed on its website it was pausing to take a breath after a ‘myriad’ of stumbling blocks had impacted on the planning of this year’s Pride.

But Sahir House declared:

“Thanks to the passion, determination and sheer graft of local artists, activists, organisations and allies, we’ve turned things around to make Pride happen.

“This year, we’re proudly calling it Liverpool’s Pride – with an apostrophe and an ‘s’ – because this Pride belongs to all of us.

“It’s Liverpool’s moment to come together, celebrate loudly, protest proudly, and reclaim our Pride with love, resilience and joy.”

Ant says:

“In a time when LGBTQ+ rights and visibility are under renewed attack, both overtly and insidiously, the need for Pride has never been more urgent.

“We’ve faced pushbacks, blocks, dismissal and subtle derision, and sometimes not so subtle homophobia, transphobia, racism and ableism.

“Pride exists because these realities still do. They happen daily, and far too close to home.”

But he continues:

“We’ve been uplifted by the generosity and spirit of so many local businesses, organisations, creatives and individuals – incredible support that we’ll be properly acknowledging in due course.”

Liverpool’s Pride 2025 will include a new march route, a queer arena celebration, activities for young people and families with a youth and family zone, a Pride Quarter party, and more.

“There’ll be space to gather, to shout, to dance, to remember, and to imagine better.

“Pride is protest. Pride is celebration. Pride is sanctuary. Pride is power.

“Liverpool’s Pride is happening. And it belongs to all of us.”

More details of what’s happening and when will be revealed soon.

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