Thousands take to the streets for Liverpool Pride 2017

On the week of the anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality, of course this years Liverpool Pride would be bigger and brighter than ever.

The annual Liverpool Pride march took place once again to begin festivities in the city centre led by  Liverpool Pride Patron the Bishop of Liverpool Paul Bayes; Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram; Deputy Mayor Ann O’Byrne, Merseyside Police Chief Constable Andy Cooke; Mark Armario from Barclays, LGBT+ writer Linda Riley; and LGBT+ poet Gerry Potter.

The theme of the eighth annual Liverpool Pride is International Love, highlighting LGBT+ lives around the world. The theme coincides with the city’s wider 50 Summers of Love festival, which celebrates 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality.

Pic Credit – Dave The Pap

St George’s Quarter welcomed young, old, and people from far and wide to the opening day of Liverpool Pride with main stage performances from headliners Atomic Kitten, US dance diva Kym Mazelle and 90’s floor fillers Livin’ Joy.

Atomic Kitten treated the crowd to pretty much their entire back catalogue (we forget they had so many tunes!), whilst The Vivienne, Jess Kemp, Mr Gay Wales & Mr Gay England also appeared.

Hosts included Radio City’s Leanne & Dave, Scott Hughes, Paul German and Celebrity Big Brother star Austin Armacost.

Our Mark Byron was out and about to meet performers and fly the flag for The Guide Liverpool.

Mark & Austin

Day two of Liverpool has a family focus and Pete Price will open the day at 12pm tomorrow with a special performance from Kara Lily Hayworth, star of Cilla The Musical who will perform songs from the new show as part of Liverpool Pride’s We Are Family day this Sunday (30 July).

Five to Five from new Take That musical The Band – will also perform at Liverpool Prides family day.

Cilla The Musical will be on stage at 1.50pm, followed by The Band who will appear at 5.25pm.

For more on Liverpool Pride head this way.

Follow @LiverpoolPride on Twitter for more coverage and updates from the festival.