York Pride Day gets off to a fabulous start with our Parade March through the streets of York, filling the city with colour, music, and celebration. Our loud and proud Parade is both a joyful statement of community and a march for equality and LGBT+ human rights in the UK and around the world.

This is our moment to show that York is a diverse, welcoming city where everyone belongs — and to send a clear message that hatred and prejudice have no place here.

York Pride Signage, Slogans, Placards & Political Messaging Policy

As a registered charity, York Pride has a duty to remain politically impartial in accordance with Charity Commission guidance and our own charitable constitution. While we are committed to championing LGBT+ rights and advocating for inclusion and equality, we must ensure our activities do not promote any particular political party or candidate. This policy outlines the standards expected of parade participants and those attending the festival in relation to signage, slogans, placards and political messaging.

Purpose of the Event
York Pride is both a statement and a celebration of LGBT+ diversity, visibility, and community. Our event provides a platform for individuals, community groups, charities,
and businesses to demonstrate their support for LGBT+ rights in a positive, respectful,
and inclusive manner.

Political Parties and Elected Representatives
York Pride welcomes elected representatives from all parties who support LGBT+ equality to participate in the parade and attend the festival in a personal or non-
partisan capacity to celebrate and promote LGBT+ rights and advocacy for inclusion and equality. However, political parties are not permitted to enter branded floats or
walking groups in the parade or have a presence at the festival, solely to promote their party. Any political representative attending must adhere to this policy and may not
carry or distribute materials that promote party political messaging.

Trade Unions and Activist Groups
Trade unions and activist groups may join the parade and attend the festival, provided their participation centres on LGBT+ advocacy and not general political campaigning. All
signage and messaging must focus on LGBT+ inclusion and rights, and must not be party-political in nature nor relate to topics not championing LGBT+ rights or advocating
for inclusion and equality.

Placards and Messaging
Parade participants and festival attendees may carry signs or banners supporting LGBT+ rights, human rights, equality, and inclusion, provided the messaging aligns with York
Pride’s charitable aims. Individuals must be mindful of others and ensure the carrying of any sign or banner does not adversely impact the participation of others at the event;
at the festival signs and banners are not permitted above head height in the viewing area in front of any stage so as not to affect the enjoyment of others watching the
entertainment/activity taking place on the stage.

Placards must not include:

Endorsements of specific political parties or candidates.

Party political slogans or logos to promote party political messaging.

Offensive, discriminatory, or divisive language.

Content that could reasonably be seen as undermining York Pride’s values or charitable status.

Breach of Policy
York Pride reserves the right to remove or deny participation to any group or individual displaying material or behaviour that breaches this policy. Parade marshals, festival
stewards and organisers will be briefed to monitor compliance throughout the event.

Appeals & Clarification
If your group is unsure whether a placard or banner meets this policy, please contact York Pride at parade@yorkpride.org.uk in good time before the event for guidance. York
Pride is committed to dialogue and will consider appeals on a case-by-case basis, balancing free expression with our purpose, aims and legal obligations as a charity.