Liverpool’s annual March with Pride will be held jointly with KyivPride this year.
Continuing the legacy of Eurovision support, and standing in solidarity with the queer community in Ukraine, LCR Pride’s July event will be held with the LGBTQ+ organisation of the Ukrainian capital.
Every year, thousands of people from the community and its allies from across the Liverpool City Region march in solidarity, protest, and celebration as part of the city’s Pride event. In 2022, more than 15,000 took to the streets turning the city into a sea of rainbows.
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Due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it is currently illegal for groups to stage marches through the city. Therefore, this year Liverpool will host Kyiv’s annual Pride March on behalf of Ukraine.
Andi Herring, CEO of the LCR Pride Foundation, said: “No matter where you are in the world, LGBT+ people demand the right to live freely and happily. Even in the UK, we are all aware of how easily these rights can be backtracked on or removed entirely, that is why we are proud to share our March with Pride this year with the LGBT+ communities of Ukraine.
"It is a message of solidarity, of unity and of hope for people here in Liverpool City Region and in Kyiv.”
KyivPride was established in 2012 and has been working to champion the rights of LGBT+ living in Ukraine, even before the Russian invasion.
Their work includes providing a safe space in the capital of Ukraine, where people can work, warm up or make friends, and holding weekly online support sessions with LGBT+-friendly practitioners.
KyivPride campaigns year-round for full respect for LGBT+ peoples’ human rights in Ukraine, by raising visibility and encouraging their participation in social processes and activities. In addition, it also hosts Ukraine’s largest LGBT+ event KyivPride annually in June.
Lenny Emson, who was a founding member of KyivPride a decade ago and has led the organisation as an executive director for the last two years, added: “The Russian invasion took our right to march away from us. But international solidarity gives us a chance to keep marching for Ukraine, for LGBTQI rights, for freedom.
“Last year, Warsaw Pride welcomed KyivPride in the capital of Poland. This year, Liverpool stands up for Ukrainian LGBTQI people. We call on all the communities across the United Kingdom and Europe: please, come and support the joint KyivPride and Liverpool March with Pride. Be there, be political, be visible.”
The two organisations have called for LGBTQ+ people and allies from the region and the people of Ukraine who are now part of said communities and beyond to join in this collaborative celebratory event.
Councillor Harry Doyle from Liverpool City Council said: “What better way to ensure that the legacy of Eurovision continues, than by using our city’s voice of compassion, passion and solidarity and sharing it with those who are currently prevented from doing so.
“Liverpool, as ever, stands with the people of Ukraine and will continue to celebrate what unites us.”
March with Pride is a walking march and free to attend for all individuals. Organisations and businesses that wish to take part are asked to make a suggested donation to help LCR Pride Foundation, the regional charity, cover the costs of staging the event.
Further information about this year’s Pride in Liverpool events programme, which will feature more about the alliance with KyivPride will be released in the coming weeks.
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