LGBTQ+ Liverpudlians and their allies can look forward to celebrating Pride in their city once again after an LGBTQ+ charity stepped to save it.

The city-wide event, which draws thousands of people to the Merseyside city, was cancelled in June due to “significant financial and organisational challenges”, organisers said.

A statement from the LCR (Liverpool City Region) Pride Foundation board of directors confirmed the event, due to take place on 26 July, would not go ahead because of challenges which have “impacted timescales and resulted in it reverting to an almost entirely volunteer-led operation”. 

Organisers said this, “combined with rising costs and difficulty securing national and local funding” and the decision to “sever our relationship with Barclays”, made it “impossible to bring Pride in Liverpool to the city this year”.

However, Liverpool’s oldest LGBTQ+ charity, Sahir House, has announced it has managed to “turn things around” at the Pride and promised it would be “louder, prouder, and truly ours”.

On social media the charity said: “We’ve turned things around, and we can’t wait to show you what’s coming.

“From an exciting new march route to a queer arena celebration not to be missed – plus activities for young people and families, a Pride Quarter party, and so much more.

“This Pride is for everyone.”

In a more detailed statement issued on the Sahir House website, the charity said in the wake of organisers taking the decision not to stage Pride – “decision that we recognise the scale of  and deeply respect their courage in taking such a step” – they have “responded to calls from across the community to ensure that Pride still takes place”.

“After listening to local voices, the message is clear: Pride still matters – and our city still needs it,” the Sahir House said.

“Working in collaboration with local volunteers, creatives, grassroots organisers and fellow LGBTQ+ organisations, Sahir is helping to bring people together to deliver a different kind of Pride – one that is inclusive, accessible, community-centred and proudly rooted in Liverpool’s queer history and activism.

“Sahir is proud to be working alongside LCR Pride Foundation, Homotopia, and many more artists, activists, and grassroots groups to shape and support this people-powered Pride – one that truly reflects the diversity, resilience, and creativity of our LGBTQ+ communities.”

The charity added that to make Pride happen, it needs the help of community members.

“At the same time as stepping up for Pride, Sahir is also facing urgent financial pressures in delivering its vital frontline services – which support LGBTQ+ people and those living with HIV across the Liverpool City Region,” the charity explained.

“Right now, the charity needs to raise £20,000 every month just to keep providing the lifeline services that so many rely on.”

To raise the money, Sahir House has launched a fundraiser to “help deliver Pride 2025 and safeguard the charity’s year-round work”.

In 2023, Liverpool Pride hosted a march on behalf of Kyiv Pride in Ukraine due to the ongoing war with Russia, with members from Ukraine and other parts of Europe joining them.

The international Pride event resulted in the largest number ever to attend: 60,000 people. 

At the time, Andi Herring, the chief executive of LCR Pride Foundation, told PinkNews: “No matter where you are in the world, you are affected by people wanting to remove our rights, wanting to not allow us to live our free lives as we should be able to – and that applies whether it’s here, in Ukraine or anywhere [else].” 

The post Liverpool Pride 2025 back on after charity comes to its rescue appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.