York Pride Month Celebrations

With June being Pride Month, York has a variety of events on and ways to get involved to celebrate and stand up for the LGBTQ+ community. York Pride takes place on Saturday 18th June, right in the middle of Pride Month!

Photo Credit: York Pride

The city walls will be illuminated in the rainbow colours of Pride to represent diversity in the city and the rainbow flag will proudly be on display at the Mansion House.

There will be a city wide march happening on the 18th June, from York Minster to Knavesmire, where a big LGBTQIA+ festival takes place. This festival will include a range of activities including stalls, games, and a huge stage to entertain the crowd.

If you want to join the festivities without attending the march you can go straight to the Pride celebration at Knavesmire. On stage performers such as Nadine Coyle, Davina De Campo will be there. It is a free event, donations will be welcome.

The parade leaves Duncombe Place (York Minster) at approximately 11:45am and arrives at Knavesmire (Tadcaster Road End) at approximately 1:00pm. The Official York Pride after party will be held at Ziggy's Bar & Nightclub on Micklegate .

Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said:

"I’m delighted that, once again, the city’s is showing its support for York Pride. Pride Month and the events taking place in the city will help us continue to raise awareness, celebrate our communities and encourage inclusiveness.”

The University of York said:

"Due to the Covid-19 pandemic we have not been able to celebrate Pride Month as we would have liked during the past two years, however we are delighted to say that we intend to hold a Progress Pride Flag raising event on Greg’s Place on Wednesday 15 June, 3pm - 4pm, in order to kick start our celebrations.

The University will then take part in the York Pride parade, marching from the Minister to the Knavesmire on Saturday 18 June, where we welcome all members of our community to join us and to stand in solidarity with our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT+) community.

The University will then host a pride-themed stall at the racecourse, with a variety of family-friendly activities and contributions from departments across the University."

Pride month is about acceptance, equality, celebrating the work of LGBTQ+ people, education in LGBTQ+ history and raising awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.

It also calls for people to remember how damaging homophobia was and still can be. Pride is all about being proud of who you are no matter who you love (BBC 2022).