Latest news with #YorkPride
BBC News
21-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
North Yorkshire Police bans uniformed officers from joining Pride events
Uniformed officers from North Yorkshire Police will no longer be able to take part in Pride events, the force chief has news follows a High Court ruling that the participation of uniformed Northumbria Police officers in a Newcastle Pride event last year was Yorkshire Chief Constable Tim Forber said the only officers on duty and in uniform at future events would be those "actively engaged in policing the event".He said: "It is absolutely essential that the police act impartially at all times and are seen to do so by all the communities we serve. Participating in protest activity, or parades that support any 'cause' can quite rightly undermine the public's confidence in that impartiality." Mr Forber said: "Any North Yorkshire Police officer who wishes to 'participate' in a parade or lawful protest may do so, but they must be off duty and are not permitted to wear their uniform."I do not allow the altering of police uniform or the changing of the livery of police vehicles to show support for any cause."York Pride has been contacted for comment by the move comes in contrast to previous occasions, when officers, PCSOs, special constables, staff and volunteers have paraded and patrolled at York Yorkshire officers have also participated in pride events in Scarborough Pride 2024, the force said it was "important for North Yorkshire Police to be represented" and show support. North Yorkshire Police said in a statement the change had been "very much driven by the change of chief constable in April 2024 when Tim Forber joined us".The force said: "There is also a sense that the public's attitude to policing has shifted over recent years and that the public appreciate and expect policing to focus on its core activities."Asked whether the stance might discourage victims of hate crime to come forward, the force said: "NYP does not tolerate discriminatory behaviour against members of the LGBTQ+ community – and we encourage the reporting of these crimes and incidents from victims."For an event such as York Pride we made provision for our Hate Crime team to be present at our stand at Knavesmire."We hope that by demonstrating our openness and impartiality, it will encourage anyone who is the subject of a hate crime to come forward and report to us."A High Court judge ruled last week that Northumbria Police Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine's decision to allow uniformed police officers to take part in a Pride march was "outside the range of reasonable decisions open to her". Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Thousands gather for York's annual Pride parade
Thousands of people in creative outfits filled with rainbow colours have gathered to mark York's annual Pride parade started in the new location of Parliament Square at 11:45 BST on Saturday, before marching through the city centre and then ending in the Knavesmire at about 13:30.A festival featuring stalls and musical performances, including drag trio Angels of the North, was then held near to York event organisers previously said York Pride is always a "celebration of love, equality, and visibility - and nothing can dampen that spirit". They said: "We're incredibly proud to be bringing the LGBT+ community and City of York together once again for a vibrant, inclusive day of joy and solidarity."Whether you're walking in the parade, cheering from the sidelines or enjoying the main festival, we promise an unforgettable experience."The parade around the city previously started at York Minster, but this has now been changed so that the start position is inside the counter terrorism bollards. The organisers previously said this was to "keep the assembly of the parade as secure as possible".The route of the parade followed sections of Davygate, St Helen's Square, Coney Street, Spurriergate, Bridge Street, Skeldergate, Bishopgate Street, Bishopthorpe Road, Campleshon Road and Knavesmire Road, before ending up on the Knavesmire. Roads around the parade route were closed on Saturday as the event took Street was also closed from 10:30 until 13:30, while St Helen's Square was shut between 11:30 and 13: the festival, performers on the main stage included Britain's Got Talent star and RuPaul's Drag Race UK runner-up La Voix, while the Cheeky Girls, Kerry Ellis and tribute act Pet Shop Boys, Actually, also performed. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
York Pride 2025 set to be 'biggest' yet, organisers say
York Pride organisers say they are expecting this year's event to be its "biggest yet". More than 17,500 people attended the annual one-day festival in 2024, with it billed as "North Yorkshire's largest LGBTQ+ celebration".Saturday's York Pride 2025 features a new parade route with a changed start the parade through the city, the Knavesmire is hosting a range of musical performances and stalls. Where is York Pride taking place? York Pride 2025 begins with the parade, starting on Parliament Street in York city events have started by York Minster, but organisers have updated the start position to be inside the counter terrorism move is to "keep the assembly of the parade as secure as possible", organisers said. The parade takes in sections of Davygate, St Helen's Square, Coney Street, Spurriergate, Bridge Street, Skeldergate, Bishopgate Street, Bishopthorpe Road, Campleshon Road and Knavesmire Road before ending up on the festival takes place on the Knavesmire, close to York Racecourse. What time does it start? The parade sets off from Parliament Street at 11:45 BST and is due to arrive at the Knavesmire between 13:00 and 13: say anyone taking part in the parade should assemble between 11:00 and 11: festival at the Knavesmire will run from 11:30 until 19:00, with the site featuring food and drink stalls along with entertainment and live acts. What road closures are there? Roads around the parade route in the city will be closed while the parade takes Church Street will be closed from 10:30 until 13:30 and St Helen's Square will be shut between 11:30 and 13:30. Where can I get tickets and how much do they cost? York Pride is a free event with no ticket who wants to join the parade can also do so without a ticket. Who is performing? This year's event will be headlined by drag trio Angels of the North at 18:00. Other performers on the main stage include Britain's Got Talent star and RuPaul's Drag Race UK runner-up La Cheeky Girls, Kerry Ellis and tribute act Pet Shop Boys, Actually, will also be entertaining crowds. Who can attend York Pride? York Pride is a family-friendly event and is open to anyone, its organisers said. Dogs are also welcome to attend as long as they are kept on a lead."Rain or shine, York Pride is a celebration of love, equality, and visibility - and nothing can dampen that spirit," the event said."We're incredibly proud to be bringing the LGBT+ community and City of York together once again for a vibrant, inclusive day of joy and solidarity. "Whether you're walking in the parade, cheering from the sidelines or enjoying the main festival, we promise an unforgettable experience." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'This isn't just a tribute' - singer stages special performance at York venue
A YORK singer songwriter is staging an all-new candlelit spectacular. Alistair Griffin's Ignite Concerts has organised the concert, called The Greatest Shows following the sell-out success of A Night at the Movies. Recommended reading: 'It's been a really hard decision to close' - York bar shuts its doors Cheeky Girls to perform at city venue for York Pride 'I'll be raising several glasses of champagne to you all' - campaign victory The singer will return to York Minster with an all-new show on Friday, October 31. He said: 'There's something magical about hearing these iconic songs echo through York Minster. 'We wanted to take what we created with A Night at the Movies and go even further — adding new layers of storytelling, theatricality, and musical surprises. This is only the beginning. "This isn't just a tribute – it's a celebration of the entire world of musical theatre, reimagined in one of the UK's most breathtaking venues. "Under the glow of thousands of candles, and performed by the acclaimed Ebor Quartet, the show will feature powerful string arrangements, unforgettable melodies, and special guest performances including rising star vocalist Maggie Wakeling." Alistair Griffin will host The Greatest Shows event in York Minster in October (Image: Mark Strodds) Taking inspiration from Broadway and the West End, The Greatest Shows features songs from the world's most beloved musicals – from Les Misérables and The Lion King to Wicked, Phantom of the Opera and The Greatest Showman. Hosted by Alistair, who will take on the role of the Ringmaster for the night — weaving together stories, songs, and surprises. With ambitions to grow The Greatest Shows into a touring spectacle, Ignite is pulling out all the stops to create a uniquely immersive and emotional experience — one that brings the drama, joy, and magic of the stage into the sacred space of the Minster. Alistair first appeared on Fame Academy in 2002 Back in 2022 Alistair, who shot to fame on the BBC talent show Fame Academy in 2002, scored a number 5 hit with a track co-penned with his former mentor, BeeGee Robin Gibb. Doors for the event will open at 6.45 pm, with the performance starting at 7.30 pm. A licensed bar will be available, allowing guests to enjoy refreshments throughout the evening. Tickets are expected to sell quickly. To get yours go to: A previous candlelit performance (Image: Mark Strodds)
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Labour are not our allies and should be banned from York Pride'
Why Labour should be banned from York Pride ORGANISERS of York Pride should not allow York Labour to attend the next Pride march while their party leader sides with Reform and the Conservatives in saying trans women are not women. We cannot let Labour to continue to pretend to be allies at Pride while their government contributes to the ever increasing hostile narrative that is impacting trans residents in York. Members who don't support Keir Starmer's comments should still march, just not under the banner of a party hostile to the Pride movement. What do you think? FEEL strongly about an issue? Send your views by email to: letters@ Write no more than 250 words and please provide your full name, address and mobile number. Trump 'Nazi poster' tells 'truth of the man' I am delighted by the way in which Matthew Laverack has criticised me for my low opinion of Donald Trump (Letters, The Press, April 18). I am reminded of the composer Stravinsky, whose masterpiece, The Rite of Spring, caused a riot during its first performance in 1913. Afterwards Stravinsky said that no composer has arrived until he has caused a riot. I have never caused a riot, but in rousing Mr Laverack's ire, I feel that I have come close. He writes: "'David Martin is one of those unfortunate individuals suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome". In fact, my understanding of Trump is not just based on what I read in the news. It is based on a book by Trump's niece, Mary Trump, Too Much, and Never Enough. Mary Trump is a senior psychologist in a New York hospital, so she is well placed to survey the Trump family and the way it shaped her uncle. She says that Trump's emotional development stopped at the age of four; and this is a clinical judgment, not uninformed abuse. He has not sued his niece for libel, which suggests that he cannot prove that she is untruthful. It frightens me that a man so compromised is the most powerful person in the world. For this reason, I feel that a poster depicting Trump as a Nazi officer tells an essential truth about the man. ---
