With Pride month on the horizon, the question is being asked why it is so important that Sheffield has a Pride event in the year 2023.
Sheffield is known throughout the country for its progressivism – with 800 managed green spaces in the city; its Thatcher-era councils being dubbed the ‘Socialist Republic of South Yorkshire’, and it consistently returning Labour parliamentarians at General Elections. But there are arguments that this progressivism doesn’t always extend to each corner of society.
Whilst Sheffield has never had an official Pride event, cities like Liverpool and Manchester host more than 200,000 people a year. The biggest event Sheffield has held was in 2018 and was organised by SAYiT.
Sheffield Drag Queen Ivy Alexxander said: “There’s nothing here… bringing back pride if a massive thing for safety and inclusion.”