The Independent is delighted to announce its Pride partnerships for 2025, reaffirming its commitment to championing the LGBTQ+ community, equality, and diversity in all its work, this Pride Month and every day.
For the fourth year running, The Independent is returning as an official media partner of Pride in London. The relationship encompasses an array of commercial, editorial and marketing initiatives during Pride Month and beyond. The activity will build on The Independent’s long history of campaigning for and championing LGBTQ+ voices. The Independent team will also take part in what will be the 53rd Pride in London parade through the centre of the city on 5 July.
The Independent is equally thrilled to announce its role as the exclusive national news partner for Manchester Pride 2025, which takes place from 15 to 25 August. For the first time, The Independent will join the crowds for the parade in Manchester, marching in celebration of LGBTQ+ accomplishments and in protest at the equality not yet achieved and the trials still facing the community. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural partnership, The Independent will support Manchester Pride with a programme spanning editorial, advertising and marketing.
Pride in London
This year’s hugely-anticipated Pride in London parade will be held on Saturday, 5 July 2025 and is set to be brighter and more inclusive than ever. Built on the values of visibility, unity and equality, the Pride in London parade is a diverse, inclusive and community-focused event that invites LGBTQ+ people and allies to come together for a powerful day of advocacy, solidarity and shared joy. Pride in London’s parade day is the biggest central London event in the calendar year, with more than 1.7 million attending. The event, and all on-the-day performances, are free to attend.
The parade brings together 500 groups, including LGBTQ+ community organisations, businesses, and partners, with 35,000 participants marching in solidarity. The parade is led by LGBTQ+ community groups celebrating significant milestones and anniversaries, alongside distinguished supporters, showcasing the rich history and continuing progress of London’s diverse LGBTQ+ communities. Corporate entry into the iconic parade is once again limited to Pride in the City member companies – businesses dedicated to championing LGBTQ+ inclusion, equality and human rights 365 days a year.
As well as the parade, Pride in London will be hosting an artist line-up across multiple London stages on the 5, bringing together LGBTQ+ icons, activists, diverse voices and performers.
Manchester Pride
Friday 22 August will see The Rally, a protest which returns to Pride’s roots with inspiring speeches and performances. This year themed around Love, The Parade will leave at midday on Saturday 23 August, weaving through the city in a celebration of LGBTQ+ joy and resistance. For the first time, The Independent’s team will join the Love Parade to march through Manchester this year.
The famed Gay Village Party, the heart of Manchester Pride, will run from 22 to 25, featuring electric performances, cabaret, silent discos, rides, and more in this iconic locale. Joining the party, Mardi Gras will be brand new for 2025, taking place at Depot Mayfield and Escape to Freight Island and bringing an all-star, high-camp lineup for Saturday and Sunday. Headlining will be Olly Alexander, Leigh-Anne, and Billy Porter, joined by a host of talent including drag royalty Tayce and Anna Phylactic, DJs, and more.
Superbia, Manchester Pride’s year-round arts and culture programming, will ramp up throughout the festival, celebrating extraordinary queer talent and LGBTQ+ arts and culture across the city. Family in all its forms will be welcomed to Family Pride MCR on Saturday 23 August, while Youth Pride MCR on Sunday will bring free events for LGBTQ+ youth (from 14-18).
Closing this incredible schedule will be The Candlelit Vigil on Monday 25 August, reflecting on and honouring those the community has lost.
Chloe Hubbard, UK Editor of The Independent, says: “In recent months we have watched in dismay as LGBT+ rights are eroded both globally and here in the UK and it feels more important than ever to double down on our position as proud allies of the community – it is in our DNA year round, but Pride and visibility matter. Because of this I am so proud that we will once again march alongside the queer community at Pride in London and also this year with our northern friends at Manchester Pride.”
Dee Llewellyn, Director of Partnerships and Growth, Pride in London, remarks: “We are thrilled to once again renew our partnership with The Independent, a renowned publication which remains committed to our shared values of Unity, Visibility and Equality. Together we aim to celebrate Pride in all its forms, and champion, celebrate and uplift voices from across the LGBTQ+ community.”
Mark Fletcher, CEO, Manchester Pride, comments: “We’re incredibly excited to announce our new partnership with The Independent. Our celebrations this August aim to platform our most marginalised communities, including Trans communities, on a national scale and this collaboration will certainly support us in doing that. We look forward to working closely with The Independent to ensure that we are creating a celebration worthy of the incredible LGBTQ+ community in Manchester.
The Pride in London Parade takes place on Saturday, 5 July 2025
Manchester Pride takes place from 15-25 August 2025
Image credit: Amy Smirk
