Pride in London – live: Huge crowds turn out for LGBT+ celebration with march through capital
This year’s theme is ‘Never March Alone’ in support of trans and non-binary allyship
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Huge crowds turned out for Pride in London with thousands taking part in a colourful parade through the capital.
The 2023 theme is ‘Never March Alone’ in support of trans and non-binary allyship and about 600 LGBT+ groups will attend.
It marks 51 years since the first march for LGBT+ rights in the capital, in 1972.
This year, the parade began at 12pm and ran from Hyde Park Corner, through Piccadilly Circus, down Haymarket and along Pall Mall to Trafalgar Square, culminating at Whitehall Place. Crowds were invited to watch from any of the designated public spaces along the route.
This year, The Independent is proud to be the exclusive media partner of Pride in London and will be taking part in the parade, which is led by mayor Sadiq Khan.
Rita Ora and Adam Lambert will be among those performing at the main stage on Trafalgar Square.
A detailed map of the parade route and key locations can be found here.
Sadiq Khan among Pride in London attendees
Sadiq Khan is among those taking part in Saturday’s Pride in London.
In a video posted by Pride in London, the Mayor of London wished everyone a “happy Pride” and said: “It’s wonderful to be here back in the centre of our city on this wonderful day of celebration but also protest and campaign.”
Huge crowds seen in Pride in London parade as a million set to take part
‘Trans lives matter’ cheers from crowds
The crowds broke out into cheers of “trans lives matter” as people held signs reading “never march alone”.
Pale pink and blue flags are also being waved in solidarity with the trans community.
‘Never March Alone’ is this year’s Pride campaign, which emphasises supporting members of the trans community.
Pride in London Parade sets off
The Pride in London Parade has begun as more than one million people are expected to take part in the LGBT+ celebration on Saturday.
The streets of central London are packed with colourful crowds, music can be heard, people are dancing, multicoloured outfits are everywhere, and huge rainbow flags are seen flying high.
In Pictures: Pride in London parade begins
The Independent is ready for Pride in London parade
The Independent are ready for the Pride in London parade, with members of the newsroom, including editor-in-chief Geordie Greig, all gathered in the central London crowds.
This newspaper is proud to be the exclusive media partner of Pride in London this year and is taking part in the parade, which is led by mayor Sadiq Khan.
‘This Pride, remember the queer pioneers who fought for our freedoms'
Director Oliver Hermanus writes: “I experienced my first proper London Pride last year. I got swept up in the humdrum of Soho streets, packed with revellers, swaying from bar to bar, drink in hand.
“I danced the night away in a mess of glitter and gay pop anthems. It was freeing, it was easy and familiar. Perhaps so much so that I might easily have believed that Pride was now simply an annual event that meant little more than that – a good night out, being free.
“I recently turned 40 and found myself reflecting on my various privileges. It felt like the right time to take stock. I’m a coloured (google it) South African filmmaker, born during apartheid, gay and living in London.”
Cheering, clapping and singing colourful crowds line streets of London
Cheering, clapping and singing crowds are lining the streets of central London as the Pride in London parade is set to begin.
People are waving rainbow flags, a symbol of LGBT+ pride and social movements, with many having come dressed in multicoloured outfits, including facepaint and colourful props.
More than one million people are expected to attend the parade, which will see about 600 LGBT+ groups take part and is set to begin around midday.
Pride in London in pictures as parade set to begin
Pride Parade ‘will affirm and celebrate LGBTQ+ asylum seekers'
The chair of a refugee group who is fundraising for her members to attend a Pride parade said the march will be a “confidence-boosting experience” to “affirm and celebrate” asylum seekers of the LGBTQ+ community.
Sarah Cope, chair of Queer Refugees Unite, which is a support group for LGBTQ+ people seeking asylum in the UK, has set up a Go Fund Me to raise money to take 40 of its members to celebrate Pride at the London Pride Parade.
Ms Cope said the experience “can’t be overstated” as it will allow LGBTQ+ refugees to take part in the parade, particularly as many cannot afford to attend the event, and spoke of the significance of the trip.
“It’s just really important that they go to pride for a lot of reasons. One is that all of these people have had to keep who they are a secret all their lives up until this point,” the 45-year-old from Hertfordshire told the PA news agency.
“Asylum seekers get an absolute pittance from the government in terms of money they receive to live on so it’s not really enough for travel expenses.”
“We needed money for t-shirts and for people’s expenses, travel expenses, because they are based all over the UK.
To raise awareness of the countries where being part of the LGBTQ+ community is illegal, the group will attend the event wearing t-shirts designed by one of the members depicting the words Queer Refugees Unite written across a drawing of the globe.
Ms Cope said the image of the planet represents the members who “come the across the world from some of the countries where it’s still criminalised if you’re gay or trans”.
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