Why we are hosting a Pride weekend in Ripon

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The Black Swan pub on Westgate in Ripon is hosting a two-day Pride event on June 20 and 21. Landlady Sara Hirst discusses why she and wife Kelly started putting on the event and why it matters not only to the LGBTQ+ community but to Ripon as a whole.

My wife, Kelly, and I first decided to organise a Pride event four years ago. We gave ourselves just two weeks to put together a one-day live music event. We decided to do it after speaking with members of the Ripon community and local business owners, many of whom felt there should be a Pride event in our city.

The first year was a huge success, with a fantastic turnout, so we decided to make it an annual event. Having a full year to plan and save made a big difference, especially as the event was entirely self-funded. Over the following two years, the event continued to grow and attract more people.

This year, we decided to reach out to local businesses in Ripon for sponsorship and support. We have been overwhelmed by the response and are grateful to have secured sponsorship from Dagger Diving, Specsavers, Little Bird Markets, Davis & Lund, Valentino’s Restaurant, Norton’s Deli, The Ripon Inn, and Ubique Damp Proof & Property Maintenance. A huge thank you to all of them.

Pride is incredibly important to the LGBTQ+ community. As a same-sex married couple living in Ripon, it is something deeply personal to us. Our youngest daughter is now in secondary school, and it is vital that the future is kinder and more accepting for her generation than it has been for many before her.

We created this event to help make our city a place where everyone – especially members of the LGBTQ+ community and future generations – feels welcomed, accepted, and free to be themselves without judgement. We want young people growing up today to feel comfortable in who they are, to feel accepted, and to never have to experience the hurt, prejudice, or unkindness that previous generations have faced.

While society has come a long way, there is still work to do. Even today, we regularly receive negative comments and hate-filled messages on social media. We have been challenged about which toilet we should be using simply because of how we dress or wear our hair. These experiences are a reminder that discrimination still exists and that Pride events remain as important as ever.

For us, Pride is about visibility, education, celebration, and community. It is about creating a safe and welcoming environment where everyone can come together, support one another, and celebrate diversity. In 2026, nobody should face prejudice or discrimination because of who they love or how they choose to live their lives. Love is love, and everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

Black Swan Pride 2026 is shaping up to be our best event yet. For the first time, we are hosting two full days of live music and entertainment. Performers include a fantastic Cher tribute act, Finley Carter, who recently appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, and the Lady Bears of Leeds, along with many more acts throughout the weekend. We’ve even got Father’s Day covered on the Sunday, with a fantastic tribute to ska music that is sure to get everyone dancing.

We welcome everyone to come along and enjoy the celebrations. Feel free to bring a camping chair, s it takes place outside and inside the pub, and children are very welcome too. Best of all, the event is completely free – no tickets are required. Just come along and enjoy the weekend.

The event starts at 1pm on Saturday 20 June, with the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon kindly opening the celebrations.

We are already looking ahead and starting to plan Pride 2027. If any local businesses would like to support or sponsor the event, please get in touch with Sara Hirst through the Black Swan Ripon Facebook page.