The LCR Pride Awards are returning after a three-year hiatus.
The award ceremony celebrates those working to make the Liverpool City Region the "most LGBTQ+ friendly place in the UK". The event, delivered by LCR Pride Foundation, last took place in 2019 before the pandemic shut down large events. It is now returning on Thursday, February 23, 2023, thanks to joint sponsorship provided by Liverpool Football Club and Merseyrail.
Nominations are now open for 14 categories including LGBT+ Friendly Business of the Year, Business Person of the Year and LGBT+ Community Group. New categories for 2023 include LGBT+ Workplace Group and LGBT+ Youth Group.
READ MORE: Dad told he's 'going to hell' after stranger stopped him as he shopped
Each category will celebrate the bravest, brightest, and best of the region’s LGBT+ community and its allies, from grassroots campaigners and local performers to businesses and organisations undertaking wider national work. Andi Herring, CEO and co-founder of LCR Pride Foundation, said: "Much has changed since the last time we came together for the LCR Pride Awards.
"There are so many local people and organisations that throughout the pandemic went above and beyond to help and support the LGBT+ community in the city region who deserve recognition. We’re really looking forward to seeing what comes in, so please do get nominating."
Merseyrail returns as the headline sponsor for the second year jointly with Liverpool Football Club, which is supporting the event for the first time. Jane English, acting managing director from Merseyrail, said: “Merseyrail is incredibly proud to support the LGBTQ+ community. I’m sure it will be another superb evening to celebrate some incredible achievements, and Merseyrail is honoured to be there once again.
"Merseyrail, and our staff, love taking part in Pride marches in the city, and we have also created the Merseyrail LGBTQ+ & Allies employee network in 2020. We work hard to ensure Merseyrail is inclusive and diverse, as well as making sure that our passengers feel safe when travelling with us and are able to be who they are.”
Rishi Jain, senior equality, diversity and inclusion manager at Liverpool Football Club, added: “As a club, we are fully committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion and incorporating it into everything we do as part of our Red Together work and more broadly in sport and wider society. We're looking forward to what should be a fantastic evening celebrating the LGBT+ community”
Nominations are now open to recognise work by the LGBT+ community and its allies that has taken place since October 2019 to date.
Receive our weekly LGBTQIA+ newsletter by signing up here .
READ NEXT:
- Man with 'jelly wizard' cannabis crashes into two cars after police chase
- Remorseless 'predator' saw teenager heading home from night out as 'easy target'
- DWP claimants could be due £1,500 back payments following appeal hearing next week
- Find the coins hidden on the ECHO website for the chance to win a £200 voucher
- Man with pair of tights on his head tried to rob pie shop while brandishing knife
