Faith groups and the LGBT+ community have stood together against homophobia and bigotry in Liverpool.
Liverpool Parish Church hosted a celebration of the LGBT+ community on Saturday May 14, as local councillors, faith leaders and civic leaders all attended. Mayor Joanne Anderson also raised the new Progress Pride Flag to start things off.
After the opening ceremony, the Choir With No Name Liverpool started the celebrations by performing an uplifting selection of songs reflecting the event’s inclusive and positive message. Inside the church was an exhibition of the works of Liverpool-based artist Tony O’Connell, who captures moments between LGBT+ people.
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The event comes as International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia takes place annually on May 17. The Revd Canon Dr Crispin Pailing, Rector of Liverpool, said: “This celebratory event tells us something about Liverpool, and something about the Christian Church within Liverpool. This is an inclusive and affirming place where everyone is welcome, and I’m delighted that we can use Liverpool Parish Church to promote this message to those within our city and also to the thousands who visit Liverpool every week.”
The event concludes with an anti-hate crime vigil starting at 7pm with speeches from one of the organisers of last year’s March Against Homophobia, arranged in response to a spike in hate crimes against the LGBT+ community. The Bishop of Warrington, The Right Reverend Beverley Mason, will also read a statement against homophobia from the Presidents of Churches Together In Merseyside.
