Liverpool Pride Announces 2011 Festival!
Dust off those Rainbow Flags and get ready to celebrate all things LGBT once more, Liverpool Pride is delighted to announce that this year’s festival will take place on Saturday, 6th August in Liverpool City Centre.
Plans for this year’s festival are already in the making, in order to ensure that Liverpool Pride 2011 is as successful as last year’s, which was the first official LGBT Pride festival to be held in the city, attracting over 21,000 people.
For one day only the city will transform into a massive party venue with a celebration taking place around Liverpool’s gay quarter. Following a march around the city centre, the Dale Street area will be closed off all day for the glittering Pride street party including stages, a wide range of live entertainment, musical acts, street performers, outrageous sideshows and a host of market and refreshment stalls.
The fun doesn’t stop at sunset… far from it! As day turns to night, Liverpool’s thriving gay scene will gear into action with a large number of venues holding exciting Pride events especially for the night
Festival organisers have also confirmed that the event will remain FREE so that everybody who can and wants to take part can do so.
Tommy McIlravey, Chair of Liverpool Pride said: “Last year’s event was fantastic and we couldn’t have done it without the people of Merseyside who turned up to show support and have a fab day. We are now one of the biggest free Pride festivals in Europe.”
The date chosen by the community will mark the third anniversary of the death of Michael Causer, a young gay man who was murdered in 2008. His death brought together the community and Liverpool City Council, leading to the revival of the festival.
Tommy Continues…“I’m really glad we’re keeping the same weekend as a tribute to Michael Causer and his family. This year, we don’t clash with Brighton (or any other major pride), so no excuses for anyone not to come!”
The colourful Pride march saw 7,000 spectators come out to line the streets to show their support as more than 3,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, as well as their friends and families led the way to the festival from St George’s Hall.
Cllr Ann O’Byrne, Cabinet member for community safety said: “The festival was great as everybody came out to have a really good time regardless of their sexuality or gender identity. I saw kids, grannies, parents, friends and families all with a smile on their face. It is great news that it is now becoming part of the city’s cultural calendar of events.”
An independent economic impact assessment carried out estimated that the festival brought in more than half a million pounds to the local economy with over a quarter of visitors thought to have travelled from outside of the city region.
Liverpool Pride will shortly be announcing the theme for this year’s festival picked by the community. The theme was chosen after the Liverpool Pride street team went out into Liverpool’s gay community and through an online vote on their website, asking people to vote on what theme they want for the festival. The options were Film Noir, All at Sea, Hollywood Glamour and the Summer of Love – which would you, have chosen?
Make sure you check out liverpoolpride.co.uk to have your say and for all of the latest pride news.