Liverpool Pride Attracted Over 21,000 Visitors
Liverpool’s first ever official Pride Festival, held last weekend, attracted a whopping crowd of over 21,000 people according to festival organisers and Merseyside Police.
On Saturday 7th August, the city was awash with colour as the Rainbow Circus rocked the city centre with a massive celebration. Over 3000 people turned out in colourful costumes to take part in the Pride March, lead by Lord Mayor Hazel Williams and ‘Lady Sian’ with Chair of Liverpool Pride, Tommy McIlravey and members of Michael Causer’s family. Numerous organisations including LGBT Labour, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, UNISON North West and numerous clubs and bars including The Lisbon, Masquerade and Garlands also took part.
Lord Mayor Hazel Williams said: “The Pride Festival was a spectacular success and a brilliant way to celebrate the city’s LGBT community. I know the thousands of spectators who turned out to watch enjoyed it just as much as the participants. It is set to become a much anticipated annual fixture in our calendar of annual events.”
Following the March, Dale Street, in the heart of the city’s Gay Quarter set the scene for the glittering Pride party, with massive performances from a plethora of acts including the one and only Adam Rickitt, Natasha Hamilton, Rozalla, Rowetta, Cocabelle, Connie Lush, Ian McNabb, MD Productions, Emma Dears and House of Suarez who wooed the crowds, before a dramatic balloon release and a spectacular finale set from Carol Jiani with Liverpool’s divine Drag Queens, including Lola Lambrini, Lilette Rouge, Fanny Burnz and Lady Sian who performed their own rendition of ‘I am What I am’ and ‘Proud Mary.’
After dark, Liverpool’s thriving gay scene kicked into action with a large number of venues holding special Pride events. Club superstar Robin S performed an exclusive after show set to a sold out crowd at Sakura whilst Chew Disco took over Puzzle Bar. Massive club nights kept revellers going right through until 8am in numerous venues including Garlands and GBar.
Following the excitement of Saturday, Chill Out Sunday slowed things down on 8th August. The one and only Mersey Marauders won the 5 a side tournament at ‘Pride Sports’ at Lifestyles Wavertree, whilst writer Frank Clarke and actor Tony Forsyth were in attendance for a Q and A at a sold out screening of the 1988 film, The Fruit Machine, held at Picture House @ FACT in conjunction with Clapperboard and Outsiders. Tate Liverpool, The Bluecoat, FACT, The Walker Art Gallery, The Maritime Museum and Bug World also held Pride events especially for the weekend.
Before 2010, Liverpool was the largest city in the country that hasn’t had its own official pride festival. At the launch of the LGB&T Network the public voted for a pride festival to engage, empower and involve the LGB&T communities within the city and this was fully endorsed by Liverpool City Council in January 2009. Liverpool Pride 2010 celebrated the diverse community of one of Europe’s leading cultural cities in spectacular style, cementing the city’s reputation as THE city to be in for great arts, music and culture.
James Davies of Liverpool Pride said; ‘It’s brilliant to see so many LGBT people come together with the rest of the Liverpool community for a type of party that Liverpool hasn’t seen before. 21,000 people far exceeded our wildest dreams, we’re so proud of the support that the people of Liverpool have given us, in addition to our funders and sponsors who have been fantastic. We can’t wait to come back and do it all again next year.
Well boys and girls, after nearly 2 years of planning and preparation, Liverpool’s first ever official Pride Festival is over. We hope that you had a fabulous time and hope that you’re already planning your outfits for Liverpool Pride 2011! We’d love to see your photos and hear your comments on the liverpoolpride.co.uk website and on the Liverpool Pride Facebook page.
HERE’S TO NEXT YEAR!
LIVERPOOL PRIDE 2011 HERE WE COME!
Keep up to date at liverpoolpride.co.uk