Veterans Pride, the UK’s only event of its kind dedicated to LGBTQ+ veterans and serving personnel, returns to Liverpool for its third year on Friday 24 July 2026, with a cabaret style evening taking place at HMS Eaglet on the eve of Liverpool’s Pride. The event brings together LGBTQ+ veterans, serving personnel across all strands of the military and their allies for an evening of reflection and celebration. Many of those attending served during the decades when LGBTQ+ personnel were banned from the Armed Forces, a ban that remained in place until January 2000, and Veterans Pride offers a chance to welcome them back into the Service family and recognise their service and, ultimately, their personal sacrifices. Veterans Pride was founded in Liverpool in 2024 by three local volunteers, all veterans, in response to Recommendation 21 of the LGBT Veterans Independent Review, which was published in June 2022, and called for the Armed Forces to take positive action to encourage LGBTQ+ veterans to attend service events. The event was highly commended at the Rainbow Honours 2024 for Community Initiative of the Year, and now returns to HMS Eaglet for a third time with the support of a range of community partners. This year’s lineup includes a headline performance from acclaimed singer songwriter Horse McDonald, whose long and illustrious career has seen her tour with artists including Tina Turner, BB King and Bryan Ferry. Amanda Collier, who appeared on Traitors Series 4, will give a…