Pride in London has returned to the capital for the first time since 2019, celebrating 50 years since the first march took place in 1972.
More than a million people are expected to descend on the capital for the parade, which will begin at 12 noon on Saturday (July 2).
According to organizers, 30,000 people have signed up to join the march of more than 600 LGBT + community groups.
The parade is “an opportunity for expression of celebration, joy and triumph, but also the voice to properly express the ongoing struggle for injustices and inequalities that exist between us,” Pride in London said.
Those leaving today will call on the UK government to ban conversion therapy for all LGBT + people, reform the Gender Recognition Act and provide the same protection to LGBT + communities against hate crimes.
They also call for an end to the “hostile environment towards minority migrants” and the establishment of a national AIDS memorial to remember those who died during the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
The Independent is Pride’s official publishing partner in London 2022.
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Heartstopper stars point the finger at homophobic protesters at London’s Pride
Heartstopper stars were seen dancing and giving the middle finger to homophobic protesters on the Pride march in London.
In a clip that went viral on social media, the parade was seen coming into contact with homophobic protesters.
My colleague Isobel Lewis has the full story:
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Independent Pride protesters meet Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner
Some of the Independent team that are marching to the London Pride have reunited with Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner.
See the friendly meeting below:
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The best costumes for the London Pride 2022
Pride in London always carries the products when it comes to LGBT + fashion.
This year, when the parade returns in full force for the first time since the pandemic, attendees have come out to the fullest in their multicolored and expressive costumes.
Pick up some of the best Pride costumes and outfits we’ve seen so far:
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WATCH: Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner march to the London Pride
Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner march to the London Pride Parade
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Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner march to Pride in London
The leader and deputy leader of the Labor Party are marching side by side at London’s Pride.
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Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner walked with members of the LGBT + community through the streets of Soho.
Starmer wore a black T-shirt with the words “We make Camden PROUD” as he marched, while Rayner wore a rainbow flag tied around his shoulders.
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Dame Kelly Holmes attends Pride in London after leaving this year
Dame Kelly Holmes is at this year’s Pride in London.
The Olympic champion declared herself gay in June at the age of 52 and told the Sunday Mirror that she first realized she was gay when she was 17 years old.
But she remained silent for fear of being summoned by a court when same-sex relationships were banned by the forces.
She posted a photo of herself dressed in a brightly colored dress on Instagram and wrote in the caption, “Let’s do this. Pride of London here I come!”
Dame Kelly added the hashtag #beingme to her post.
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The partygoers get carried away by the atmosphere
More than a million people will gather in London today to celebrate Pride’s 50th anniversary.
The act of pride took place on July 1, 1972 in the capital and was a carnival parade in protest of the inequalities suffered by LGBTQ + people at the time.
Here are crowds through the streets of Picadilly Circus to celebrate.
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Matt Mathers July 2, 2022 2:45 p.m.
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So it was to march to the first Pride
When Pride in London celebrates its 50th anniversary since its first march in 1972, Peter Tatchell writes about what it was like to be there.
Read about his experience below:
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“We’re here, we’re weird and we’re not going shopping”
Padraigin Ni Raghillig, president of Dykes on Bikes London, a motorcycle club for gay women, rode her Harley Davidson to the front of the Pride parade.
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He told the PA news agency that he felt “fantastic” to return after the blockade and that it was important for the community to meet at least once a year.
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She said: “I think there’s often a lot of debate about commercialism and it’s no longer a protest, but I think there’s still an element of protest and obviously celebration, and as we move forward and make it more visible and have more rights and equality, it’s potentially still important, I think, at least once a year to be out and say ‘we’re here, we’re queer and we’re not going shopping’.
“I think there’s still homophobia, I think, as with a lot of things when they become more prominent, the downside of things goes more underground.
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“I think homophobia used to be more open and I think it’s probably quite servile now, and that’s why it’s so important that we’re out here and we say ‘we’re here,’ and we continue to thrive as a community.”
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How was the annual Pride event founded?
The LGBT + community gathers around the world every June to celebrate Pride Month, and for many, it culminates in Pride parades.
Although the events take place throughout the summer, June was chosen to remember the Stonewall riots that erupted in Greenwich Village, New York, on June 28, 1969 after police stormed one of the most gay clubs. popular of the city, fact that caused that the habitual ones retracted. bravely in protest.
Learn more about what the event was like and what events are taking place in the UK: