Pride in Liverpool returned over the weekend with a bang.
The annual festival was attended by record numbers with LCR Pride Foundation, the organisation responsible for delivering the event, confirming 20,000 members of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies celebrated.
The love and support from each and every attendee was definitely felt throughout the day and definitely needed.
READ MORE: 15 of the best dressed at Pride in Liverpool 2023
In what can often seem like a bleak time with the constant rise in homophobia and transphobia, the celebrations acted as an essential reminder you are not alone in the community. Seeing the sun shining and hearing the crowds roaring outside St George’s Hall on Saturday morning, you could tell from the offset the day was set to be one to remember.
As the muster grew minute by minute so did the atmosphere and likewise with the feeling of unity and solidarity. Among the sea of sequins and multi-coloured props, there was a variety of signs on display - some of which had lighthearted messages and others which needed to be heard loud and clear.
The event adopted a new format due to funding issues this year. Instead of the usual main stage, located at the Pier Head, there were several pop-up zones dotted throughout the city. Having only been to Pride in Liverpool twice, in 2022 and 2023, I can only compare the two experiences, but for me, it took Pride back to its roots as a protest.
This feeling was strengthened by seeing LGBT+ Ukrainians take to the streets of Liverpool as we hosted KyivPride on behalf of the Eastern European country’s capital. The blue and yellow flag featured just as prominently as the rainbow-themed progress flag and rightfully so.
Among those representing KyivPride was Ukrainian activist Mariia Goubernik. The 23-year-old, now living in Wavertree after leaving her war-torn country, previously told the ECHO the difference in how the UK and Ukraine both view Pride.
The pansexual sex therapist said: “Important questions need to be asked because the main difference between the two countries Pride’s is that in Liverpool it has become much more of a party and has been for a long time, but Pride in Ukraine is still a major protest and that is how many Ukrainians view Pride. For us, the fight is not over, the UK has achieved a lot more than Ukraine has.”
Although, in comparison, it could be argued the UK is a somewhat more progressive country for the community - there were still reminders on the day we still have more to go to truly achieve equality.
A small group of protesters - made up of no more than seven people - gathered outside Derby Square near Liverpool Crown Court like they do every year. Challenging what the celebrations stand for, they carried placards with biblical references on them and handed out leaflets against the “gay manifesto”.
Thankfully, the group was drowned out by the number of supporters and left with more than what they bargained for as they were covered in rainbow confetti after being blasted with cannons by marchers.
People cheered, others kissed and some danced gleefully but the moment that sticks out in my mind - even despite my blurred memory from one too many cocktails - was when a drag queen shouted at the top of her lungs “same time next year losers” before glamorously fanning herself.
And she was right - the LGBTQ+ community and its allies will still be here thriving this time next year, bigger and better no doubt, just like we always do in the face of adversity and discrimination.
