WITH over a million participants from all facets of the community and more than 600 community groups, the 2022 Pride Parade made a triumphant return to the capital’s streets.
The procession had been led by the Gay Liberation Front. Veterans of the first significant demonstration including British human rights activist Peter Tatchell, marched from Charing Cross to Hyde Park as part of the procession to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the inaugural UK Pride march in 1972.
The celebration is taking place this year for the first time since 2019 owing to the covid outbreak, with participants donning the customary rainbow patterns, face paint, and glitter.
Pop singers Ava Max and Emeli Sande performed during the event, which was praised as the most inclusive in history.
At her Hyde Park concert, singer Adele honoured the LGBTQ+ community with a stirring Pride message. She draped a Progress Pride flag around her shoulders. Her LGBTQ+ fan base applauded her performance of “When We Were Young” when she was draped in the flag.
Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes promised the gathering in Trafalgar Square that, following her coming out as gay last month, she would “never live behind that curtain again.”
“For 34 years I have never been able to say those words until two weeks ago, due to the fear of judgement and retribution that was instilled in me since the age of 18 because the laws in the military and being in the public eye,” said the Olympic champion.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted “Marching for Pride in 1972 was an incredibly brave thing to do. Today will see friends and families once more coming together to mark the tremendous milestone of 50 years of our capital’s Pride. Happy #Pride!”
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “We’re back after the last two and a half years or so. This year is the 50th anniversary of Pride,
celebrating this community, celebrating the progress made, but also continuing to campaign and never be complacent.
“We saw this time last week an attack in Oslo just hours before that parade, where two people lost their lives and more than 20 were injured.
“So, we’ve got to be conscious of the fact that there’s still a danger to this community of discrimination, bias, and violence. But
allies like me are really important to support this community.”
Along with Khan, a number of prominent politicians attended the Pride in London events. Dawn Butler, a member of Labour, posted photos of herself with Khan, the openly homosexual MP Luke Pollard, Nancy Kelley of Stonewall, and trans campaigners Hannah and Jake Graf. What about Conservatives and members of the government?
Labour MP and deputy leader of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner also joined the march in support of London Pride.
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