March With Pride This Weekend

LIVERPOOL Pride returns to the City this weekend for its sixth consecutive year and as ever commences with the colourful and vibrant Liverpool Pride March through the streets of Liverpool City Centre on Saturday, 1 August 2015.

With this year's theme set as Love is No Crime, stand tall and celebrate the LGBT community by taking part in the March, which this year for the first time ever will go through the Stanley Street Gay Quarter.

Anyone wishing to participate in the march should pre-register online.

Those marching are asked to gather at the muster point at Liverpool's iconic St. George's Plateau from 10.30am with the march starting at 12pm.

There will be extended muster time activity leading up to the increasingly popular and poignant march, with a programmed schedule of speakers and entertainment hosted by The Vivienne and Paul St German, this includes performances from LIPA, Royal Court Community Choir and Empire Youth Theatre and poems by Liverpool poet Gerry Potter.

There will be speeches from Liverpool's Lord Mayor Tony Concepcion, Natalie Bennett MP (leader of Green Party), and Labour MP Angela Eagle, Councillor Gary Millar as well as other LGBT patrons and activists.

They will also be announcing the winner of the school competitions to design a t-shirt (judged by Stone Wall Chief Exec Ruth Hunt) and the poetry competition (judged by CEO of Diversity Role Models Suran Dickson).

The Muster at St Georges Hall is an important part of the Pride day, where participants, spectators and organisers all join together to appreciate what Liverpool Pride represents and the importance of continuing this outstanding event each year.

After leaving St George's Plateau the march route will proceed along Lime Street before taking in Queen Square Bus Station and Whitechapel, then making its way on to Lord Street to the Victoria Monument, right on to Castle Street, right on to Dale Street left on to North John Street, right on to Victoria Street before turning left up Stanley Street and continue along Dale Street, over the Churchill Way Flyover before arriving back at St George's Plateau.

Once back at the plateau there will be further speeches and performances as well as a special Balloon Release. This will launch a full afternoon of events scheduled in the St George's Quarter and within St John's Gardens.

The programme will include:- The Pink Picnic; An Education and Community Zone; A Market Area; Food and Drink Stalls; Picturehouse Travelling Cinema; Acoustic Music; Workshops; Family Zone and Speakers Corner with special guest in attendance.

Please note that St Johns Gardens and St Georges Quarter will remain an alcohol free zone.

The date of Liverpool Pride always coincides with the anniversary of when murdered gay teenager Michael Causer tragically lost his life.

Michael died on 2 August 2008, and the festival was specifically created in his memory as a way to celebrate his life and empower the LGBT communities. This year's Liverpool Pride takes place a week before what would have also been Michael's 26th birthday. The Michael Causer Vigil will be held on Sunday 2 August, 5pm at Temple Square, off Dale Street.

Liverpool Pride 2015 is being supported by main sponsors Homes For Everyone and Liverpool City Council. Supporters also include After Adoption, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Hugh Baird College, Unison North West LGBT, and Barefoot Wine.

Keep up to date with Pride Liverpool announcements by visiting LiverpoolPride.Co.UK where people can also register to volunteer or find out about sponsorship opportunities.