A Pride party brightened up a drizzly central London today — although many of those thronging the streets had a serious message to deliver.
Tens of thousands took part in the rainbow march taking place in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman.
More than a million people overall were expected to attend the event, which includes the procession and stage areas, according to TfL Commissioner of Transport Andy Lord.
Singer and actor Olly Alexander was among the LGBTQ+ artists who decried the court ruling and expressed fears trans people are being ‘villainised more than ever’.
The judgement was also criticised by writer Shon Faye and actor Ellis Howard, who stars in the BBC drama What It Feels Like for A Girl.
Crowds danced on floats and walked in solidarity around city landmarks after the Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan shouted ‘happy Pride’ and more than a dozen motorcyclists from LGBTQ+ groups led the way.
The procession of more than 500 organisations filed from Hyde Park Corner, through Piccadilly Circus, and on to the end at Whitehall Place.
Ahead of the day, Pride in London said 35,000 participants would be ‘marching in solidarity’ in the main parade.
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Bearskins worn by Foot Guards soldiers were part of the scene as more than 400 members of the UK armed forces and related charities took part.
There were shouts for ‘trans rights now’ as the engines roared and rain started to fall on Saturday afternoon.
American pop singer Chaka Khan is due to appear on the Trafalgar Square stage as the headliner of the event, now in its 53rd year.
Former Years & Years singer Alexander said: ‘Trans people right now, they need our support and love more than ever, they’re being villainised, demonised in the press, by a lot of the media, and trans people they’re just like us… they’re you, they’re me.
‘They deserve the same respect, the same rights, the same privileges, same opportunities, and that’s why Pride is so important this year.’
The event took place four months after the Supreme Court ruled that the words ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex.
Shon Faye, author of Love in Exile and The Transgender Issue, said before the event: ‘For the trans community in particular here in the UK, we’ve seen an onslaught of misinformation, attacks in the media, and unfortunately the roll back of human rights in the courts.
‘I think (Pride) is more important than ever – I think a lot of trans people have been made to feel afraid in public space and pride this year is about taking back public space, and showing what we’re not going to be silenced and we’re not going to be intimidated.’
Howard played Paris Lees in the BBC dramatisation of her memoir and, like Alexander and Faye, was supporting trans rights charity Not A Phase at the parade. He told PA that ‘we’re in an incredibly precarious political time’ and said Pride this year is ‘more important than ever’.
The actor added: ‘I think it’s so, so important that we show up as queers, as allies, and we celebrate.
‘Joy is an act of resistance.
‘I hope it shows queers of all ages that we stand with you, we are for you, and we love you’.
Sir Sadiq said: ‘It was an honour and a privilege to again walk at the front of London’s world-famous Pride parade as huge crowds of Londoners and visitors joined together for an incredible show of love, unity and solidarity with our LGBTQ+ communities.
‘The fantastic parade and celebrations across central London have shown once again that our capital is a beacon of inclusivity and diversity.
‘This year’s event was also a defiant reminder that we must keep fighting for equality and take a stand against those seeking to roll back hard-won rights.
‘Together, we sent a powerful message to the world that in London you are free to be whoever you want to be and love whoever you want to love, as we continue to build a better, fairer London for everyone.’
Ella Morgan, who was part of the Pride in London live commentary team, also reflected on the difficulties faced by the trans community in the past few years after the ‘joy’ of expressing her true self on holiday.
Ella, who came out as a trans woman 15 years ago and spoke at the Metro’s Pride Awards, said: ‘Now I do feel ironically less happy.
‘I’m more scared and I’m conscious of the places I think to visit.
‘So I wanted to do things in America, work in America, and obviously that now is something I’m slightly worried about doing.
‘I’ve been to America years ago and I felt really safe.
‘Now because of the Trump administration and also I guess because of what’s going on here as well, I was afraid my passport was going to be changed from female back to male.
‘But I don’t think it will stop me, I just think I’m conscious and I’ll be worrying in my head a lot, not only about visiting another country but about what people will say and think.’
After-parties included a five-hour event headlined by Nadine Coyle at the Clapham Grand, which has become a focal point for LGBTQ+ nightlife.
A spokesperson said: ‘The Clapham Grand celebrates Pride with its biggest ever day of parties, headlined by Nadine Coyle, Bimini, Booty Luv, Tete Bang and many more, welcoming over 1,500 party people through their doors while also raising funds for trans+ charity, Not A Phase.’
London Trans Pride is being celebrated on Saturday, July 26.
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