Liverpool to host Access Pride 2025 thanks to support from Taylor Wessing

As part of Liverpool's Pride, the city will now host Access Pride 2025 on Saturday 26 July, thanks to generous financial backing and support from global law firm Taylor Wessing. The city’s traditional Pride parade was recently cancelled due to “significant financial and organizational challenges,” as reported last month.

In response to calls from local LGBTQ+ communities to ‘save’ Pride and create something more inclusive, representative, and rooted in authentic community connection, Liverpool will instead host Access Pride, led by Sahir, Liverpool's LGBTQ+ and HIV charity.

Taylor Wessing is the principal supporter of Access Pride 2025 – an accessible, inclusive, and community-driven Pride celebration happening on Saturday 26 July from 11am–5pm at The Brink, in Liverpool City Centre.

The event offers a safe and celebratory space for disabled and neurodivergent LGBTQ+ people, sober individuals, families, and anyone seeking a non-scene, dry, and calm environment during Liverpool’s wider Pride festivities. Access Pride champions visibility, safety, and joy, ensuring everyone can take part in Pride in a way that feels right for them.

“Access Pride 2025 is a powerful reflection of what happens when we listen to and act on community voices. People told us what they needed from Pride – and we stepped up to help make it happen. Taylor Wessing’s generous support is helping us create something meaningful, inclusive, and joyful – something everyone can truly belong to,” stated Ant Hopkinson, CEO of Sahir.

With Taylor Wessing’s support, Access Pride will feature a full day of live performances, creative workshops, and community activities in a relaxed and supportive setting. Hosted at The Brink, a dry and accessible city-centre venue, the event will include a range of accessibility adjustments, including a BSL interpreter, and pre-event guides with floorplans, staff introductions, and a clear itinerary.

“We’re proud to support Access Pride 2025 and Sahir’s broader work in reimagining Pride in Liverpool this year,” shared Robin Panrucker, Head of Talent Development & Inclusion at Taylor Wessing. “Inclusion, authenticity, and community leadership are at the heart of this event – and those values strongly align with ours at Taylor Wessing. We’re honored to help bring this vision to life.”

Access Pride is one of several events that Sahir will deliver as part of this summer’s city-wide Pride season, with more announcements to follow in the coming weeks. “Access Pride was created with care, intention, and collaboration. It’s a celebration – but it’s also about visibility. It’s about making sure that everyone, especially those who often feel pushed to the margins, knows that Pride is for them too,” explained Kat Taylor, LGBTQ+ Engagement Lead at Sahir.

As part of Taylor Wessing’s Pride activity in Liverpool, the firm will also host an internal Pride event at their office, featuring guest speaker Dr Emily Garside, along with a representative from Sahir to support continued fundraising for the charity.

On the day of Access Pride, Panrucker, who is also co-chair of Taylor Wessing’s LGBTQ+ network equaliTW, will welcome the audience before handing over to the artists and performers to kick off the celebration. Taylor Wessing will also proudly march alongside the Liverpool LGBTQ+ community, visibly and actively showing their support and solidarity with such an important cause – and standing proudly with their LGBTQ+ siblings.

Tickets are FREE and going fast, so head over to Sahir’s Eventbrite page or follow @sahirhouse on social media for full event details and booking information.