More than 1 million people turn out to celebrate Pride in London
Huge crowds took to the streets of London on 1 July to take part in this year’s Pride celebrations. More than 30,000 participants from around 600 organisations got involved in this year’s Parade, which began at Hyde Park Corner and ended at Whitehall.
Organisers estimated that more than one million people took part in this year’s Pride festivities more generally, which coincided with the 51st anniversary of the UK’s first Pride march.
The day featured headline performances from Adam Lambert, Idina Menzel and Todrick Hall, with other stars such as Eden Hunter, Rita Ora and Jack Hawitt each delivering show-stopping sets.
Pride in London’s ‘Never March Alone’ campaign was featured prominently throughout the day, which emphasised the importance of supporting the trans+ community as it faces increasing persecution from both the media and politicians. “We’ve got to make sure that we stand solid and strong” Speaking to GAY TIMES ahead of taking part in the march, Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, emphasised the importance of celebrating Pride while also taking it as an opportunity to “recognise things aren’t perfect” yet. “This community still faces prejudice, discrimination, hatred, violence,” he continued. “We know in particular, the trans community is a community that is being stigmatised, demonised and weaponised and we are going to provide allyship. “Whether it’s me providing allyship to this community or whether its members of the LGBTQI+ community providing allyship to each other. “I’m quite clear, an attack on one minority is an attack on all minorities and an attack on all of us.” Emily Thornberry, a Labour MP also serving as the Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales, marched alongside LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall.
