York Pride 2025 marked its biggest celebration ever on Saturday June 7, as the largest free one-day festival in York.
The event was attended by several groups in the University community including the York SU sabbatical officers and the newly formed Sapphic Society which marched from Greg’s Place to the Parade in York City Centre.
A spokesperson for the newly formed Sapphic Society at the University said that York Pride helps: “uplift sapphic and lesbian voices by creating spaces where our identities are celebrated and amplified.”
The 2.2-mile parade began at midday from Parliament Street welcoming participants from 11am and was led by an open-top bus.
It continued to St Helen’s Square and down Coney Street before crossing the Ouse Bridge, travelling down Skeldergate to Bishopthorpe Road and reaching the Knavesmire via Campleshon Road.
Sapphic Society shared their concerns regarding the University’s decision to comply with the recent Supreme Court ruling on gender.
They said: “There are a lot of feelings; a mix of disappointment, anxiety and frustration.
“Pride is such an amazing event but we also want to see the university and city back it up with policy, funding and leadership that reflects actual allyship, not just rainbow flags up once a year!
Sponsored gathered in St Sampson’s Square from 11am, schools and colleges in Church Street from 11am and all other attendees in Parliament Street.
Performances on the main stage at the Knavesmire started at 12:30pm once the parade finished and ran until 6pm.
There were 16 acts including headliners The Cheeky Girls and The Angels of the North from Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK. A second Cabaret Stage featured 11 acts from 1:30 to 5:45pm.
The event also included two food groups, a fairground, a queer arts tent, a circus skills area, and a bar dance tent.
Pride is funded through over £120,000 in sponsorships, merchandise sales, wristbands, and donations. Sponsors this year included York St John University, Persimmon, and Azets.
The Mayor of York, David Skaith, said: “It’s an honour to stand with and support our LGBTQ+ community across York and North Yorkshire.
“Pride brings much needed positivity, joy and happiness. We must ensure that every LGBTQ+ person can thrive, feel at home, feel respected.
“While these events brim with joy, they are also a call to action.”
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Charlie Jeffrey, said: “We are very proud to support Pride 2025.
“It’s an event that brings us together to celebrate and promote inclusion, something both the University and our community cares very deeply about.”
On concerns regarding the University’s approach to the recent Supreme Court ruling on gender, Jeffrey said: “We know that many are concerned about the Supreme Court ruling and the initial guidance that followed it.
“Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is stronger than ever. That will not change.
“We’re actively listening to our community to understand the impact of the recent ruling and consider how we can respond to it with compassion.”