UK Pride Organisers Network

U KPON is a network of Pride organisers who have come together to share knowledge and experiences, and to support the development of the Pride movement in the UK and beyond.

Oxford Pride 2017 © Mazz Image

The UK has more than 100 Pride events each year ranging from small community events to large festival-style Prides, and that’s something to be proud of. At the UKPON AGM representatives from around the UK vote to elect the host city of ‘UK Pride’. This is intended to shine a beacon on the Pride making it a focal point for the Pride movement that year. It’s a similar model to EuroPride and WorldPride, and Canada has just followed this idea too.

Despite the UK having more Pride events than any other European country, previous attempts at bringing Pride organisers together had been short-lived. But in early 2016, Pride in London and Manchester Pride organised a conference attended by 60 Pride organisers, and the idea for the Network was born.

At a further conference, organised by Pride in London and Birmingham Pride in October 2016, the Network was formally established and a board elected. The first co-chairs were Andy Train (Pride in Hull) and Steve Taylor (Pride in London). Steve stepped down in October 2017 with Mazz Image (Oxford Pride) elected as co-chair.

The first UK Pride was Pride in Hull in 2017, which coincided with Hull’s status as UK City of Culture. Pride in Hull saw a five-fold increase in their visitor numbers, and really set the bar high for future UK Pride events. This year Isle of Wight Pride will host UK Pride on the sandy beach at Ryde on Saturday 21 July with a parade and entertainment all day.

Pride organisers have continued to come together at conferences hosted by Pride Cymru in Cardiff, and Blackpool Pride Festival with the next conference and AGM being hosted by Pride Glasgow in October 2018.

UKPON is not just for Pride organisers; it is also the best place to find out about Pride events near you, or at a UK destination you’d like to visit. By clicking on the new interactive map you’ll be able to access all the local information from the website of each Pride event to plan your fabulous Pride season.

Happy Pride!

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