The Pride in London parade was incredible – but it was particularly special for this military pair.
Corporal Damian Dagg, 30, met Josh Thorne one year ago at the 2016 parade, so Saturday’s event was the perfect moment to propose.
The Army medic walked out from the assembled troops from all three branches of the armed forces and beckoned his boyfriend, who plays in the Army Medical Services Band, to join him.
And in front of military personnel and staff from the Ministry of Defence, Damian got down on one knee and asked Josh to marry him.
The musician was stunned, but nodded yes.
The new fiancées embraced as the troops behind them clapped and cheered.
Damian, who comes from Accrington in north England, is a student nurse who has been an Army reservist for five years, according to the Lancashire Post.
The Army’s diversity head, Commander Field Army Lieutenant General Patrick Sanders, marched in Saturday’s parade.
He said: “Under fire, no one cares if someone is black or white, gay or straight; an individual should be valued for who he or she is and what they can do.
“Only by fully embracing our diversity will we be set to overcome the varied challenges of the future,” he added.
“I’m proud to be the Army’s LGBT champion and straight ally.
“The MOD (Ministry of Defence) has come a long way since 2000 when LGBT personnel were afforded equality in the Armed Forces; they are now openly encouraged and supported in a community whose watchword is respect.”
This was emphasised by the Army flying rainbow flags at more than 300 bases all over the world in honour of Pride.
Saturday’s event was the 45th annual Pride parade in London, and marked 50 years since partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales.
Thousands of people lined the streets of London for the celebrations, walking down Oxford Street to Trafalgar Square.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan attended the event, and told PinkNews about the importance of fighting aginst discrimination using love.
Pride in London is fast becoming famous for its wonderful marriage proposals.
Last year saw two uniformed policeman getting engaged to one another in scenes that went viral around the world.
As well as PC Sam Philpot popping the question to PC Martin Coughlan, another policeman PC Phil Adlem proposed to his partner Jonathan Sammons.
And the police were well-represented this year too, when a woman named Dizzy proposed to her British Transport Police officer girlfriend Jane – who said yes, of course.
Fernando Ferreira and Greg Woodford, two members of the London-based Kings Cross Steelers – the first ever gay inclusive rugby union club – also got engaged at this weekend’s parade.
Watch the full proposal below:
