Liverpool’s Pride 2025 was not created by a single organisation. It was built by hundreds of people, groups and collectives who stepped forward with energy, creativity and commitment. Over seven weeks, what emerged was an organic movement, held together by mutual respect, solidarity and a shared determination to make Pride happen.
Liverpool’s Pride is rooted in protest, care and celebration. It is about being visible, being loud, and being held by community.
We did not rush this report. We took time to listen, to reflect honestly, and to learn. That mattered, not just because Pride deserves care, but because of the wider context in which Pride festivals and celebrations have been operating.
Over the past year, many Pride festivals and celebrations across the country have faced incredibly difficult circumstances, including financial strain, capacity pressures and questions about sustainability. We were mindful of this when deciding when to publish our report, choosing to give space to those challenges rather than adding to an already difficult moment for Pride organisers and communities elsewhere.
This report celebrates what went well and names where we were stretched. It sets out the real work involved in delivering Liverpool’s Pride at this scale and the financial and organisational pressures that come with it. It is offered in the spirit of transparency, accountability and care for our community.
Pipper Marler, Deputy Chair, said
“Pride is about people knowing they belong. Liverpool’s Pride 2025 showed the strength, warmth and creativity of our community. This report holds onto that joy while being honest about the challenges we face if Pride festivals and celebrations are to be sustainable in the long term.”
Looking ahead to July 2026, we know there is energy and hope for the future of Liverpool’s Pride. We share that hope. We want Pride in this city to continue to be bold, joyful and rooted in community voices.
But we also need to be clear. Our first responsibility is to the people who rely on our services every day.
We need to raise around £75K before the end of this financial year to secure Sahir’s future and protect our essential LGBTQ+ and HIV support services. Without this stability, we cannot responsibly commit to developing Pride at the scale our community deserves.
Ant Hopkinson, CEO, said
“We cannot stand alone. Strong Pride festivals and celebrations depend on strong community organisations. Securing Sahir’s future is the first step towards securing the future of Liverpool’s Pride.”
We remain committed to Liverpool’s Pride. We want to help shape Pride 2026 and beyond, and we have community led ideas ready to develop. But sustainability, care and responsibility must come first.
Please help us secure Sahir’s future by getting involved, donating and fundraising. By doing this, we can then move forward with confidence to develop Liverpool’s Pride 2026 with care, ambition and joy.
Together, we can protect what matters and build what comes next.
Monthly Coffee, Cake & Conversation gatherings! A safe, social space at Flourish Wellbeing Hub for people living with HIV and based in Wirral
A safe, social meeting. For people over 18, living in the Liverpool City Region, who are part of LGBTQ+ communities, living with HIV (regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity) and allies, close friends and family members of community members.
Monthly peer support group in collaboration with Merseyside Autistic Adults. For LGBTQ+ individuals who identify as neurodivergent, with a majority of members identifying as autistic. This group aims to empower attendees to build connections, seek advice, support one another, discuss important matters, have fun, and more.
An opportunity to get together. For our LGBTQ+ community in Wirral to gather, forge new social connections, access support, discuss topics that matter to them, and more.
A supportive, safe space for members of the trans, non-binary, gender fluid, and gender questioning communities in the Liverpool City Region. An opportunity to gather, build connections, seek advice, support one another, discuss important matters, and more.
Many Hands One Heart is a group meet-up for refugees or people seeking asylum who identify as LGBTQ+ in the Liverpool City Region.
