This week, several Pride committees across the globe announced they are planning to hold in-person events in 2021, as COVID-19 vaccination efforts ramp up and cases decline in multiple countries. The plans vary from city to city and could change if coronavirus cases begin increasing once more, but they provide a glimmer of hope for LGBTQ+ spaces and community gatherings, which have been particularly hard hit by lockdown measures.
In a Friday interview with The Guardian, the organizers behind Manchester Pride — representing the city of the same name in northern England — say they are “cautiously optimistic” that its four-day celebration in August can feature in-person events, including the popular parade and GayVillage party. If all goes well, a concert festival will also take place, but attendance will be reduced to half capacity.
Mark Fletcher, chief executive of Manchester Pride, told The Guardian the celebration will be possible “as long as the government’s plans for vaccinations and reopening of events and hospitality remain on track.”
London Pride officials also teased a return planned for September on social media, but it’s unclear if events will be physical or if attendance will be capped.
Meanwhile, in New York City, the organizing committee Heritage of Pride announced plans to host a hybrid virtual/in-person celebration built around the theme “The Fight Continues.” The in-person elements are “still-to-be-determined,” according to a statement to press released this week, but are intended to take place over the month of June and will see the return of the Pride Island concert. In 2019, that event included performances by Grace Jones and Teyana Taylor.
André Thomas, co-chair of Heritage of Pride, said the theme acknowledges not only the continued obstacles to LGBTQ+ equality but the unique threats faced by queer and trans people during the COVID-19 crisis.
“Within this acknowledgement of what we’re fighting for and the challenges we face, we also must find the strength — together — to continue the fight,” he said in a statement. “We’re fighting for ourselves, fighting for the BIPOC and titans members of our community, and fighting for future generations.”
Other cities are being more cautious about their plans for LGBTQ+ Pride. Birmingham announced it would postpone its Pride celebration from June to September, and Boston officials have outright cancelled its Pride, which was scheduled to take place in June. Meanwhile, Northern Pride, scheduled to take place in Newcastle, England, has already pushed back any in-person celebrations to July 2022.
This case-by-case approach likely offers a glimpse into just how ad-hoc the next year might look for LGBTQ+ hubs around the world. While daily cases are decreasing in many countries due to vaccine rollouts, there have been over 113 million recorded infections from COVID-19 globally, with more than 29 million in the U.S. alone.
Get the best of what’s queer. Sign up for them.’s weekly newsletter here.
