This year’s Manchester Pride held particular significance. Following the collapse of the previous organiser in late 2025, there had been concerns that the annual event, which has been part of Manchester’s LGBT+ community for more than 40 years, might not continue. In response, business owners, residents, and activists came together to form Manchester Village Pride CIC, ensuring that Pride remained community-led and rooted in its original home.
The Parade took place on Saturday 29 August, with the theme ‘No Place Like Home,’ inspired by The Wizard of Oz. The theme celebrated Pride as a return to community, identity, and belonging, while recognising the importance of chosen families, creativity, and self-expression. It also acknowledged that not everyone experiences home as a place of safety and acceptance, highlighting the continuing need for visibility, equality, and advocacy for LGBT+ communities.
For the fifth consecutive year, members of the PDA LGBT+ Network marched through the streets of Manchester, demonstrating the PDA’s ongoing commitment to supporting LGBT+ pharmacists, trainee pharmacists, and pharmacy students. The Network’s presence at Pride reinforced the importance of creating inclusive workplaces where people can thrive and be their authentic selves.
Adam Somerville, PDA LGBT+ Network President said, “This year was a rather rainy Manchester Pride. Happily, though, that did not stop people coming out and supporting Pride and LGBT+ equality. Our pharmacists, friends, and families had a great time raising the profile of the profession and the PDA. Despite the political challenges of the year, and the financial difficulties of the previous event organisers, Pride went ahead as planned. Rain or shine, it is essential that we show up for Pride.”
Navdha Joshi, Community Pharmacist said, “I really enjoyed the event, it was great meeting such a friendly, welcoming bunch of people. The highlight was getting to be a part of the parade and walking the streets of Manchester with pride in our step.”
Representatives from Pharmacist Support, the profession’s independent charity, also joined the PDA LGBT+ Network in the Parade, reflecting the shared commitment of both organisations to inclusion, wellbeing, and support for the pharmacy profession.
Diana Chung, Volunteering Officer at Pharmacist Support said, “Rain or shine we were proud to stand alongside our friends from the PDA LGBT+ Network, representing our pharmacy family in a celebration of visibility, inclusion, and community. Dancing through the streets of Manchester beneath the rain, surrounded by a kaleidoscope of colour, cheers, and joy, was nothing short of magical. A truly unforgettable day and a memory we’ll carry with us until we do it all again next year.”
The group was also pleased to welcome colleagues from Community, a modern trade union representing workers across different sectors of the UK economy, whose participation further strengthened the message of solidarity and collective support for LGBT+ workers and allies.
Jennifer Dean, Head of Equalities at Community said, “It was a privilege to join our sister union the PDA, and Pharmacist Support at Manchester Pride and stand alongside thousands of people celebrating diversity, inclusion, and equality. Pride is not only a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, but also a powerful reminder of the progress that has been made through collective action and the work that still lies ahead. At Community, we are proud to stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ workers and allies, championing workplaces where everyone can be themselves without fear of discrimination or prejudice. Marching together with the PDA reflects the strength of the trade union movement working together in solidarity. The energy, visibility, and sense of community on display throughout the day were truly inspiring, and we will remain committed to advancing equality both in our workplaces and across society.”
Amber Wynn, PDA LGBT+ Network Honorary Secretary said, “It was wonderful to walk with PDA LGBT+ Network members alongside Pharmacist Support and Community at Manchester Pride and experience the joy and strength of the community and its allies, even in the pouring rain!”
Building on its attendance in previous years, the Network once again highlighted that Pride is not only a celebration, but also a reminder of the ongoing work required to achieve equality.
As Manchester’s streets filled with colour, music, and community spirit, the PDA LGBT+ Network was proud to stand alongside fellow marchers in celebrating what Pride represents: visibility, acceptance, and the right for everyone to feel at home in their communities, workplaces, and professional lives.
The PDA’s presence at Manchester Pride is part of its wider commitment to supporting LGBT+ pharmacists, trainees, and pharmacy students, advocating for equality and creating safe spaces for all. The network provides opportunities for members to connect, share experiences, and influence change across the profession.
Get involved
- Join the PDA LGBT+ Network here.
- Follow the PDA LGBT+ Network on social media using the hashtag #PDAlgbt
- Contact the PDA LGBT+ Network committee by emailing [email protected]
Learn more
- PDA LGBT+ Network marches at Manchester Pride 2025
- PDA LGBT+ Network has a presence at Manchester Pride for the first time
- Manchester Village Pride
- Pharmacist Support
- Community Trade Union
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists, and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.