The Independent today announces its 2026 Pride activity, building on the success of last year’s partnerships with an expanded programme spanning editorial, events, commercial collaborations and industry initiatives. The programme reflects The Independent’s continued commitment to championing LGBTQ+ voices, stories and communities across the UK and beyond.
Independent editorial
Throughout Pride month in June, The Independent will publish a wide-ranging programme of editorial and video content exploring LGBTQ+ identity, rights, culture and lived experiences globally.
Alongside the Pride List, The Independent will produce a dedicated video interview series featuring Pride List honourees. The series will offer deeper insight into the personal stories, challenges and achievements of those shaping LGBTQ+ progress today. Wider editorial will include long-form features, opinion pieces and multimedia storytelling designed to inform, challenge and inspire readers.
June will also see the release of a new documentary, from The Independent’s Chief International Correspondent, Bel Trew. The documentary explores the devastating impact of aid cuts on the LGBTQ+ community in Nigeria, which is facing surging levels of violence. In the film, Bel follows men living with HIV who are in hiding after being kidnapped and tortured for their sexuality – and have now lost access to their life-saving HIV medication from the aid cuts.
The Independent Pride List 2026 (launching Sunday 31 May)
A cornerstone of The Independent’s Pride programming, the Pride List returns on Sunday 31 May, recognising influential LGBTQ+ changemakers across culture, politics, business and activism. First published in 2000 as the Pink List, the Pride List is a powerful symbol of The Independent’s commitment to championing diversity and equality in all its work.
Pride List launch event at Queer Britain (3 June)
For the second year running, the Pride List will be officially launched at a special event hosted at Queer Britain on 3 June, bringing together honourees, industry leaders and community voices. Queer Britain Museum is the UK’s first and only LGBTQ+ museum.
Pride in London partnership and parade (4 July)
The Independent will once again partner with Pride in London across editorial, commercial and marketing activity, culminating in participation in the Pride in London parade on 4 July, with The Independent team marching in pride and protest. Coverage will spotlight key issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities, alongside celebratory storytelling that reflects the diversity of experiences across the community.
AdLand Pride partnership with the7stars (18 June)
The Independent will partner with the7stars for AdLand Pride on 18 June, supporting an initiative that celebrates LGBTQ+ talent and advocacy within the advertising industry in the face of global DEI rollbacks and attacks on LGBTQ+ rights. The collaboration underscores The Independent’s commitment to fostering inclusion across media and marketing sectors. The queer community and allies from across the industry will come together at the7stars’ Covent Garden HQ for an evening of conversation, and fundraising for Not A Phase. Tickets are on sale now.
NDA Media Pride Lunch (1 October)
Extending its Pride activity beyond the summer, The Independent will sponsor the NDA Media Pride Lunch on 1 October, hosted by Bluestripe Group as part of New Digital Age’s Media Pride initiative. The event brings together professionals and allies from across media and advertising for an afternoon of discussion, networking and community-building.
Geordie Greig, Editor-in-Chief, The Independent remarks: “I am immensely proud of The Independent’s work in championing LGBTQ+ voices – not just during Pride, but through a year-round commitment to visibility, equality and fairness. We will continue collaborating with brilliant people and partners from this community to ensure that their successes are celebrated and struggles are never ignored. The Independent has always stood for positive change for LGBTQ+ communities, and it always will.”
Sian Elvin, News Editor for The Independent, comments: “We cannot wait to soon share our annual list of LGBTQ+ changemakers for 2026, after weeks of research, discussion and deliberation. As always, The Independent is proud to stand as an ally to the community and we will again march at Pride in London this year, demonstrating the importance of visibility and continued change for LGBTQ+ people across the UK and globally.”
Rebecca Paisis, Interim CEO of Pride in London, says: “Visible and deliberate support for LGBTQ+ communities carries real weight against a growing global backdrop of injustice. The Independent’s support for Pride in London reflects a clear commitment to our values of unity, visibility and equality, and to using its platform with purpose. We’re pleased to partner with The Independent again this year to help widen the space for LGBTQ+ voices, stories and communities to be recognised and celebrated.”
Andrew Given, CEO for Queer Britain, remarks: “Queer Britain Museum is delighted to host The Independent’s Pride List launch for the second year. Inspiring LGBTQ+ culture is part of our mission, and we are honoured to welcome this year’s changemakers to the national LGBTQ+ museum.”
Imy Brighty-Potts, Marketing and Content at the7stars, adds: “AdLand Pride 2026’s theme of Beyond Inclusion could not be more poignant right now, and I am incredibly proud to be hosting this event, created by our team at the7stars for the second time. Last year, we brought together independent agencies for the first time and now we are back, bigger than ever, with sponsorship from brilliant industry allies.”
“Raising money for Not A Phase, a charity which goes beyond including trans people and uplifts them in a time of immense division, and with speakers like Marty Davies and Suzi Ruffell, we are not just having conversations, we are committing to community. Thank you so much to our friends at The Independent for being a part of it.”
Andy Oakes, CEO and Founder of Bluestripe Group, says: “MediaPride is one of the most important event and editorial initiatives we produce. At a time when DEI initiatives are under attack, it’s vital that we provide a voice for the LGBTQAI+ community, but also highlight the varying issues that face the individual groups within the community. New Digital Age is proud that we’ve managed to grow the event and make it an essential part of the industry calendar and we’re also incredibly pleased to welcome The Independent as a sponsor.”
Bel Trew, Chief International Correspondent for The Independent explains about her documentary: “Members of the global LGBTQ+ community are more at risk than ever, especially people living with HIV, the needs are greater than ever and yet we are facing unprecedented foreign aid cuts which will cost lives. This film delves into the heart of this issue to tell their stories.”
