York Pride 2021 cancelled
It was due to be held on Saturday 5th June, but will take place online instead.
York Pride 2021 won't take place in person this year because of Covid-19.
Organisers say there are too many uncertainties around holding large public events in early June.
In a statement the York Pride Committee said: "We have once again made the difficult decision to postpone this year’s York Pride, due to be held on Saturday 5th June 2021.
"Instead, we will be putting all our efforts into a bigger and better virtual Pride online. Following the announcement of the government’s roadmap to ease the current lockdown restrictions in England, we’ve worked tirelessly behind the scenes to investigate every possible option available to enable us to bring back North Yorkshire’s biggest LGBT+ celebration.
"However, our committee has unanimously agreed that there are still too many uncertainties and risks around COVID-19 and holding large public events for us to confidently proceed and host a safe and successful event of which ourselves and our community could be proud.
"Our intended date is not allowed under the new rules, but with the government’s dates for future stages of relaxation all being based on the best case scenario and still subject to change we are unable to accurately reschedule a date for later in the summer.
"We may also be required to restrict numbers, ensure adequate social distancing, carry out rapid testing and verify vaccine passports on entry. As a small charitable organisation, we have neither the funds or the volunteer numbers to be able to put these impractical and expensive measures into place.
"This devastating decision is not one we have made lightly as we were so looking forward to getting together and delivering an amazing, inclusive event to celebrate the diversity of our community. However, our top priority is the safety of our attendees, volunteers, artists, traders and emergency services as we all continueto battle the virus and prevent new outbreaks.
"We know that many members of our LGBT+ community have been affected negatively by the pandemic, so it’s vital that we’re still all able to come together and connect with each other, albeit virtually, at our online Pride on Saturday 5th June 2021.
"When the time is right, we’re also hoping to arrange a number of smaller in-person events for later this year. We hope you can understand why we have had to make this tough decision once again and we’d like to thank all our supporters, sponsors and stallholders for their support through these difficult times for all of us.
"We look forward to welcoming you all back to a truly fabulous York Pride in 2022, which marks the 50th anniversary of the very first Pride in the UK!"