Pride 2025: Portsmouth announced as host city for UK event

The UK Pride Organisers Network described the event as the focal point to the pride season

The host city for UK Pride in 2025 has been announced.

Portsmouth will hold the celebration on 7 June 2025, which will see a week of events for the community to engage with, leading up to the big day.

CP, from Portsmouth Pride, said: "We're so honoured to have been awarded the title and looking forward to putting Portsmouth Pride on national display."

The UK Pride Organisers Network (UKPON) described the event as the focal point to the pride season.

MP Stephen Morgan joined the Portsmouth Pride celebrations in Southsea in 2023 and said he was delighted with the news

Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan gave his support for the bid and said he was delighted by the news.

He said: "I want to pay tribute to the volunteers of Portsmouth Pride who have worked so hard to make this bid a success, having already gone above and beyond donating their time to ensure our LGBT+ community is celebrated every year.

"I am truly proud of the way Portsmouth people come together to mark Pride every year.

"The successful bid is testament to our city's reputation of diversity and tolerance, making it a natural home for the UK's biggest celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.

"The event will be a powerful symbol of our community's commitment to safety, dignity, and opportunity for all - no matter who you are, or who you love."

This year's event saw thousands of people take part in Pride events on Southsea Common

Andi Herring, co-chair of UKPON, said Portsmouth had been selected "with a strong majority".

"The board are excited with the activities and events Portsmouth have laid out in their bid. This will really aid in championing their message of Pride being more than just one day."

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].