Liverpool’s iconic buildings will light up for Pride
Liverpool Pride will shine a light on diversity again this summer with the return of project Come Out of the Shadows.
Pride organisers are appealing for as many of Liverpool’s most iconic buildings, venues and city businesses as possible to join the event and be lit up in the colours of the iconic Rainbow Flag, helping make Liverpool the most visibly LGBT+ city in the UK.
Last year Come Out of the Shadows inspired more than 30 of city region buildings were illuminated to raise awareness of LGBT+ hate crimes.
Now Liverpool Pride organisers are hoping even more of the city’s landmarks will lit in rainbow colours this July, or show their support by displaying the iconic Rainbow Flag.
The aim is that it will showcase Liverpool, both inwardly and outwardly, as an inclusive, diverse and tolerant LGBT+ friendly city, while at the same time helping to educate, raise awareness and normalise LGBT+ in all its forms.
The overall aim is to make Liverpool a safer place for residents and visitors alike.
A number of Liverpool’s most famous and recognisable buildings have already pledged their support and will come alive with the colours of Pride from 20-30 July. They 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 successfully 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 Bridgein St Helens are among locations taking part.
Come out the Shadows will also include a public exhibition featuring LGBT+ communities in L1 from July through to early September. This will promote and showcase each individual community, raise awareness of the campaign and promote the Straight Ally flag, which is a way that non-LGBT+ communities can show their support for equality and diversity.
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.”
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 – Saturday July 29 and Sunday July 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.
