It was the day when York showed the world that love will always triumph.
At a spectacular York Pride hope, happiness and unity prevailed – the perfect answer to some dark days.
This was the first British LGBT Pride since the Orlando shootings at a gay club. Proceedings began with a public prayer outside York Minster and a minute’s silence.
A brass band played Bridge Over Troubled Water in tribute and 49 balloons were released, one for each victim at Orlando.
Speaking at the start of the parade were Cllr Dave Taylor, Lord Mayor of York, Rod Sims, the deputy head of York High (winner of the Stonewall School Award for 2016) and Michael Smith, Canon Pastor at York Minster.
“The annual York Pride celebration is tinged with sadness as we are still in shock at the news of the killings in Orlando,” Cllr Taylor told the crowds.
He went on to pay tribute to murdered MP Jo Cox and condemn neo-nazis who had unfurled a swastika flag outside York Minster some weeks previously, saying:
Then the 50ft rainbow flag was unfurled and carried through the city centre, along Bishopthorpe Road and on to Knavesmire.
There the large crowds were entertained by Lloyd Daniels, Jake Quickenden and Seann Miley Moore among others. Actor and national treasure Christopher Biggins was master of ceremonies.
By general consensus it was the biggest, brightest, friendliest and most united York Pride yet.
Many York organisations and companies took part, including two York schools – Millthorpe and York High.
Police said there were record crowds at this year’s event.
Your Pride moments
Great to see @sainsburys out in force for #YorkPride pic.twitter.com/6GhoLY7lD0
— NickHorbowyj (@NickHorbowyj) June 18, 2016
Celebrations and rainbows of love at #YorkPride pic.twitter.com/ctCOeuWPgK
— mathew bose (@mathewbose) June 18, 2016
Before it became busy @York_Minster @YorkLGBT @YorkPride #RaiseYourRainbow #YorkPride #york pic.twitter.com/d4oEUzQTon
— Lewis Outing (@LewisOuting) June 18, 2016
The @UniofYork banner at #YorkPride pic.twitter.com/mFlcKjfXJh
— David K Smith (@professor_dave) June 18, 2016
@York_Minster with @YorkPride stand tall and proud against hatred. pic.twitter.com/lYTH83IoJG
— Sharon Atkinson (@shazatk_shaz) June 18, 2016
LGBT Pride York – York High @York_High @YorkLGBT @YorkPride #RaiseYourRainbow #YorkPride pic.twitter.com/CrhsyfqgTi
— Lewis Outing (@LewisOuting) June 18, 2016
All aboard @YorkPride @onebighins @BBCYork @YorkPride pic.twitter.com/wFycVRvOD9
— Elly Fiorentini (@ellyfyork) June 18, 2016
Huge support in #York for @YorkPride from the crowds as the parade makes its way through the city pic.twitter.com/tbdcGADfjT
— Richard Salkeld (@richardsalkeld) June 18, 2016
#yorkpride @yorkpride balloons to remember #orlando pic.twitter.com/vmsDPVf0nq
— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) June 18, 2016
We love being part of @yorkpride! Hope you’re all enjoying this great day ???????? Say hi if you see us! #RaiseYourRainbow pic.twitter.com/roTHD6Ao2F
— NorthYorkshirePolice (@NYorksPolice) June 18, 2016
@YorkPride ice cream boat pic.twitter.com/INUSvHhqye
— EmsleysLGBT (@EmsleysLGBT) June 18, 2016
So amazing to see such pride and happiness about life & freedom on display here in York, as everywhere. @YorkPride pic.twitter.com/Cn8Ny0VkGo
— One&Other Creative (@oneandother) June 18, 2016
#YorkPride ????????????????☀️ Approaching the #Knavesmire @YorkPride ???????????????????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/V4CLBp3xbG
— NYP York North (@snayorknorth) June 18, 2016
Look at these scenes from @YorkPride pic.twitter.com/pc8gMdZYpo
— Elly Fiorentini (@ellyfyork) June 18, 2016
The party's about to start in #York. @YorkPride pic.twitter.com/73atBvVY22
— david3012 (@david3012) June 18, 2016
The party's about to start in #York. @YorkPride pic.twitter.com/73atBvVY22
— david3012 (@david3012) June 18, 2016
At @YorkPride with Christopher Biggins! #Legend pic.twitter.com/fqKH70Fp3d
— Guy Forshaw (@Supersonic70s) June 18, 2016
@JRF & @jrht representatives @YorkPride #RaiseYourRainbow @JRFShaun @sallywoomarsh pic.twitter.com/DXVUXhztpQ
— Jenny Jones (@Jen_Jones_) June 18, 2016
Fantastic to see our main sponsors @BenendenUK taking part in our #YorkPride Parade! pic.twitter.com/F3x81mVFS7
— York Pride (@YorkPride) June 18, 2016
Our very own @ellyfyork starting @YorkPride @BBCYork pic.twitter.com/hAK1hCe0rs
— Matt Foster (@matthewfoster) June 18, 2016
On our way to @YorkPride ! pic.twitter.com/MFpMs37rYQ
— Ellie (@Ellieee1949) June 18, 2016
Really busy @YorkPride #RaiseYourRainbow pic.twitter.com/NmnnjlURKr
— NYP York West (@snayorkwest) June 18, 2016
Thank you for bringing a tray of sunshine to our #YorkPride parade @avivaplc @AvivaPride! pic.twitter.com/nD7F3hqNg9
— York Pride (@YorkPride) June 18, 2016
Great to see @DCCNYP leading from the front. Wearing @UKCopHumour #ThinBlueLine patch at @YorkPride #ProudtoProtect pic.twitter.com/22DSR5dkhk
— Sgt Paul Cording (@OscarRomeo1268) June 18, 2016
Ice cream @YorkPride #family pic.twitter.com/ooXgYExMcl
— Andy Smith (@AndyEmsleys) June 18, 2016
Brilliant to see @MillthorpeNews taking part in @YorkPride today #LoveIsLove pic.twitter.com/vQMtDZAXos
— Julie Louise Redpath (@brightsidejules) June 18, 2016
It's all happening at @YorkPride Come and visit the land of rainbows – everyone is invited! pic.twitter.com/K3KVlusiEF
— Guy Forshaw (@Supersonic70s) June 18, 2016
Thank you @sainsburys for raising your rainbow for #YorkPride – and for keeping us hydrated along the way! pic.twitter.com/qPXNkABBWC
— York Pride (@YorkPride) June 18, 2016
@Virgin_TrainsEC having a great time supporting @YorkPride on behalf of Virgin Trains. Stu xxxx pic.twitter.com/b8gxNCcmYB
— Stuart (@stupot10000) June 18, 2016
Thank you @BarclaysUK @Barclayspectrum for supporting #YorkPride! pic.twitter.com/50T3JAIXFb
— York Pride (@YorkPride) June 18, 2016
Wonderful to have 2 schools taking part in our #YorkPride Parade this year! Thank you @York_High & @MillthorpeNews pic.twitter.com/Mx92Tlmr9y
— York Pride (@YorkPride) June 18, 2016
Great to have top performer and local-girl @bethmaymccarthy on stage at #YorkPride! pic.twitter.com/W3XzBCUtzX
— York Pride (@YorkPride) June 18, 2016
@TomBleasby you were terrific! #YorkPride pic.twitter.com/xHiUXZbcHz
— York Pride (@YorkPride) June 18, 2016
Loving it at York pride!!???? #RaiseYourRainbow #YorkPride @YorkPride pic.twitter.com/fu6amb3Rgn
— Ellie (@Ellieee1949) June 18, 2016
What a great @YorkPride with Council leader Cllr David Carr and @PaulDoughty1. Thanks everyone pic.twitter.com/rbf2I94jEQ
— York Conservatives (@ConservativesYO) June 18, 2016
#RaiseYourRainbow @YorkPride #family pic.twitter.com/lgeEhy3oD4
— Andy Smith (@AndyEmsleys) June 18, 2016
#YorkPride North Yorkshire's biggest annual LGBT Celebration @YorkPride #RaiseYourRainbow https://t.co/fDMk8J87Gg pic.twitter.com/IC0C2rElXV
— Getty Images News (@GettyImagesNews) June 18, 2016
Queen @yorksightseeing @CitySSWorldwide @YorkLGBT @YorkPride #RaiseYourRainbow #YorkPride pic.twitter.com/UEB3l2OFlA
— Lewis Outing (@LewisOuting) June 18, 2016
@LloydDanielsUK #YorkPride #RaiseYourRainbow @YorkPride #LoveIsLove What a fantastic event great to meet you! pic.twitter.com/yYeUUYNnZF
— Claire Butler (@MrsBPhD) June 18, 2016
#YorkPride Honoured to be part of @YorkPride today????????????Record crowds and fantastic carnival atmosphere ????????⚽️????????☀️???? pic.twitter.com/TBUnDtvpt5
— York City FC Police (@NYPYCFC) June 18, 2016
Amazing turnout at @YorkPride today! pic.twitter.com/Ur5wdFjuVW
— Neil Barnes (@neilbarnes101) June 18, 2016
Hundreds attend the @yorkpride today #pride #LGBTcommunity #York @GettyImagesNews pic.twitter.com/B81gg4p0ni
— Ian Forsyth (@Togian) June 18, 2016
York's Lord Mayor Dave Taylor and Lady Mayoress Susan Ridley visiting our stall at @YorkPride #YorkPride #rainbowfun pic.twitter.com/yaj227krEo
— Lush York (@lushyork) June 18, 2016
@XFactorUKMusic @@seannmileymoore good times @YorkPride #singing pic.twitter.com/nRxgWFEac3
— samantha atkinson (@samiloulou123) June 18, 2016
@onebiggins Biggins on the Bus!! @YorkPride pic.twitter.com/yKwIa1POcQ
— bishyroad.net (@bishyroadnet) June 18, 2016
LGBT York Lord Mayor @cityofyork @yorkpress @BenendenUK @YorkLGBT @YorkPride #RaiseYourRainbow #YorkPride pic.twitter.com/QQU54pI07r
— Lewis Outing (@LewisOuting) June 18, 2016
@LloydDanielsUK such a lovely guy. @YorkPride pic.twitter.com/Dl4imuQ8MV
— Katie Lauren (@VampirePenguino) June 18, 2016
Man at work @daviddunninguk @YorkLGBT @YorkPride #RaiseYourRainbow #YorkPride pic.twitter.com/wjqY5oI82j
— Lewis Outing (@LewisOuting) June 18, 2016
With the main man @JakeQuickenden at @YorkPride so chuffed I managed to get this pic pic.twitter.com/SYdsJNKStF
— gayrugbyleaguefans (@gayrflfans) June 18, 2016
@Virgin_TrainsEC @YorkLGBT @YorkPride #RaiseYourRainbow #YorkPride pic.twitter.com/LgjwY1ynRp
— Lewis Outing (@LewisOuting) June 18, 2016
@LloydDanielsUK you were amazing on stage at #YorkPride! pic.twitter.com/IpWjf6xmy2
— York Pride (@YorkPride) June 18, 2016
Thank you @YorkPride for a great parade #LGBT #LoveWins pic.twitter.com/Cc66ne6C6t
— Sky Filming (@SkyFilming) June 18, 2016
Thank you for raising your rainbow on stage at #YorkPride, @seannmileymoore! You were fabulous!!! pic.twitter.com/hZVUweBlQh
— York Pride (@YorkPride) June 18, 2016
With my lovely daughter ❤ @YorkPride @Natkaym pic.twitter.com/zzwu1mritO
— Lesley Tuke (@LesleyTuke) June 18, 2016
Sainsbury's LGBT Pride York @YorkLGBT @YorkPride @sainsburys #RaiseYourRainbow #YorkPride pic.twitter.com/fi3spdg2ix
— Lewis Outing (@LewisOuting) June 18, 2016
Fantastic day @YorkPride Great work from our #NCS team @YorkandSelbyNCS @NYSNCS #freehugs pic.twitter.com/EhHWR7INai
— Flying Futures (@FlyingFutures) June 18, 2016