York Pride-goers will be able to secure discounts to more than 40 shops, bars and restaurants during this year's event at the end of the month, it has been announced.
Those with a York Pride 2011 wristband can gain discounts of up to 20 per cent in some outlets, while others are offering complimentary food and drink or free entry to club nights during Pride week, which runs from 29 July to 7 August.
Chair of York Pride, Dan Sidley, said: “We are really grateful for the generous support of so many local businesses towards York Pride 2011. These are challenging times for businesses and residents alike yet more and more local companies are getting involved to show their strong backing for York’s LGBT community”.
The main Pride celebration, which will include live music, cabaret, stalls and a bouncy castle, takes place on 30 July in Rowntree Park, and this year’s event will be dedicated to Ugandan gay rights activist David Kato, who was murdered earlier this year.
Kato spent time at York University’s Centre for Applied Human Rights in 2009/10 and was a well-known member of the gay community in the city. He will be remembered with a mass release of rainbow-coloured balloons from Rowntree Park.
Sidley said: “We are determined to use Pride 2011 and the tragic murder of David Kato to spread the message that there is still much to be done to eradicate hate and violence against the LGBT community”.