Manchester's LGBTQ+ community, charities, and performers have reacted to the news that the organisation behind Manchester Pride .
On Wednesday afternoon (October 22), the Board of Trustees for the event announced that the organisation was 'no longer financially viable' due to a series of challenges, including falling ticket sales and escalating costs.
This announcement came one week after several artists from this year's event, held over the August Bank Holiday weekend, for their performances. They reported a lack of communication and clarity when attempting to follow up on their concerns, .
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The Trustees apologised yesterday for the lack of clarity, expressing their 'regret for the delays in communicating the current situation' and stating they were 'sincerely sorry for those who will now lose out financially from the current situation'. The appointed liquidators have now received contact details for the many performers and suppliers still awaiting payment.
Bev Craig, the leader of Manchester Council, said that the authority had done 'everything we could' to support the organisation and to 'help keep the show on the road', but acknowledged that it became clear that Manchester Pride Events Limited, the company behind the event, 'had become unsustainable'. The council has pledged to ensure the event continues next year.
Banksie, who featured on RuPaul's Drag Race 海角视频 and presents numerous cabaret and collective performances, revealed they had invested everything into the event and experienced 'immense guilt' over their inability to safeguard the financial interests of performers they had championed.
The performer had organised their signature Runway X Banksie fashion showcase, a standout feature that had also featured in previous years, whilst also taking to the stage themselves.
Writing on Instagram, Banksie said: "Manchester Pride's liquidation has left so many artists, producers and performers unpaid - but our community will rise again.
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"This journey has been one of the most stressful times of my working life. I hope the board of trustees feel IMMENSE SHAME for yo-yoing with their communities stability and remember the wheel of fortune always turns, IMPERMANENCE. This situation will pass and the people responsible will feel our anger."
Lucky Roy Singh, who similarly organised a production at this year's Manchester Pride, Kulture Cabaret, to support their fellow performers who had not received payment even as they remained unpaid.
In a statement regarding Manchester Pride's liquidation, Lucky wrote: "I'm devastated for all the artists, producers, and crew who gave so much of themselves to this year's Pride. For many of us, Manchester Pride was more than a festival - it was a platform where queer South Asian, Middle Eastern and brown performers could finally be seen, celebrated and respected.
"To see it end this way, with so many still unpaid, is deeply painful. I am awaiting communication from the appointed liquidators regarding payments owed to myself and my performers, and I will continue to push for clarity and fairness."
Choke on my Pronouns, a well-known DJ, also expressed their devastation at the announcement, describing the circumstances as 'truly shocking'.
They posted on Instagram: "I am absolutely saddened and frustrated by the recent @manchesterpride statement. As a queer, unemployed artist, I was relying heavily on the payment for my DJ set on August 23rd, just to be constantly dragged along by emails stating to stay patient.
"I doubt that myself and all the other performers and suppliers will see any of the money owed to us. This is truly shocking that it has taken this long for any honesty or communication."
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LGBT Foundation also released a statement confirming that 'priority access' to their counselling services was being offered to Manchester Pride staff, suppliers and artists.
The charity said: "We are saddened to hear about the voluntary liquidation of Manchester Pride. Our thoughts are with its staff, volunteers, suppliers, collaborators and all members of our communities who may be affected.
"As LGBTQ+ spaces and organisations face increasing challenges, it is more important than ever to create and support safe and affirming spaces for our communities. We welcome conversations with any organisation that shares this vision and who are committed to helping LGBTQ+ people thrive."
Local Labour Councillors for the Gay Village area, Cllr Sam Wheeler and Cllr Jon-Connor Lyons, jointly acknowledged 'how much dedication, creativity and community spirit has gone into keeping Pride alive through difficult times'.
The pair, representing Piccadilly, mentioned they were 'already engaging with businesses and trade unions' to assist those who have been 'left out of pocket through no fault of their own'.
They further added: "We'll be meeting with Cllr Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, and other civic and community leaders to discuss arrangements for Pride in Manchester in 2026. Whatever new organisation we build in the future must have strong democratic accountability to our community as LGBTQ+ people and to Manchester as our home."
The Equity union, representing several artists and drag performers awaiting payment, announced a meeting with members in Manchester later on Thursday, urging affected creatives to make direct contact for support.
Equity's North West Official, Karen Lockney, said: "After too much uncertainty, the news that the organisation in charge of Manchester Pride is going into liquidation will be hugely concerning to those owed money.
"On Tuesday afternoon, Equity held a meeting for affected performers and creatives – some of whom are out of pocket by thousands. We heard upsetting stories from people unsure if they can make payments for rent, medical prescriptions and other essentials. Treating working professionals like this is unacceptable.
"Any performer or creative who worked at Manchester Pride but has not been paid should contact Equity as soon as possible. We are collecting contractual information to pursue all options to recoup money owed, and we will begin these processes immediately.
"We are also speaking with Manchester City Council and other stakeholders to ensure artists' voices are heard in discussions about the future of Pride in the city, ensuring that Manchester gets the Pride it deserves: one that is rooted in the local community and the Gay Village, and which has workers' rights embedded from the outset."