Liverpool Pride is again set to shine a light on diversity this summer with the return of the striking ‘Come Out of the Shadows’ project. Andrew Wright reports.
Organisers of Liverpool Pride, an annual festival celebrating LGBT culture, are appealing to Liverpool’s most iconic buildings, venues and city businesses to join the event and be lit up in the colours of the Rainbow Flag.
The idea behind the plea is to make Liverpool the most visibly LGBT city in the UK.
Last year, the Come Out of the Shadows campaign saw more than 30 of city region buildings illuminated to raise awareness of LGBT hate crimes and to showcase Liverpool as a LGBT friendly city.
Now, organisers are hoping even more of the city’s landmarks will be bathed in rainbow colours this July, or show their support by displaying the iconic Rainbow Flag.
A number of Liverpool’s most recognisable buildings have already pledged their support and will proudly display the colours of Pride between July 20 and 30.
Landmarks include St George’s Hall, Liverpool Central Library, the Everyman theatre, FACT, Royal Court Liverpool, World Museum Liverpool, ECHO Arena, Merseyside Police Headquarters, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, James Street Station and Barclays Bank.
Liverpool Football Club is also backing the initiative once again after lighting up the Kop in 2016.
And in the wider City Region, the Atkinson at Southport, Crosby Library, New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion, and the Steve Prescot Bridge in St Helens are among locations taking part.
Liverpool Pride’s Michael Carey said: ‘Come Out of the Shadows is about highlighting the city region as one that is tolerant and visibly LGBT+ friendly. We believe that discrimination in any form is unacceptable and created this lighting strategy to celebrate equality and diversity. Liverpool Pride invites all building owners, venues and businesses across the City region to contact us, pledge your support and help us to shine even brighter.’
Barclays, this years official headline sponsor of the Pride festival, are embarking on a 12-month community partnership which will provide access to employment, financial services and access to training for digital and financial awareness.
Liverpool Pride – the region’s annual LGBT+ festival – is now one of the major events in the city’s Summer events programme, attracting more than 25,000 people.
Now in its eighth consecutive year, the festival will take place across two days- July 29 and 30.
The theme of this year’s Pride is International Love, complementing the city’s wider 50 Summers of Love festival, which celebrates 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality.