The Independent is the exclusive media partner of Pride in London
(Amy Smirk)
More than one million people are expected at Saturday’s Pride in London parade, which will see about 600 LGBT+ groups take part.
It will mark 51 years since the first march for LGBT+ rights in the capital, in 1972.
This year, the parade begins at 12pm and runs from Hyde Park Corner, through Piccadilly Circus, down Haymarket and along Pall Mall to Trafalgar Square, culminating at Whitehall Place. Crowds are 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.
KEY POINTS
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Hoax device wrapped in Pride flag found in Northern Ireland
Police in Northern Ireland say they are treating a hoax device as a hate crime after it was left wrapped in a Pride flag.
The device was left at the home of an Alliance Party councillor in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland,
The party said there was also a security alert at the home of another former party representative.
It was found at Hopefield Grove in Portrush on Thursday evening and people had to leave their homes for several hours during the investigation.
“We will not be deterred in standing up for an inclusive society,” said Alliance MP Stephen Farry.
Alastair Jamieson30 June 2023 20:30
Refugees joining Pride parade
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 LGBT+ community.
Sarah Cope, chair of Queer Refugees Unite, which is a support group for LGBT+ 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 Pride in London parade.
Ms Cope said the experience “can’t be overstated” as it will allow LGBT+ refugees to take part in the parade, particularly as many cannot afford to attend the event, and spoke of the significance of the trip.
Alastair Jamieson30 June 2023 19:33
‘I was petrified to return’ to Jamaica
Ex-professional swimmer Michael Gunning speaks to Emma Henderson about being gay while swimming for Jamaica as an anti-LGBT country, how Tom Daley helped him come out and how his work is helping support equal rights around the world.
Alastair Jamieson30 June 2023 17:00
Parade route and where to watch
Take a look at this interactive map for this year’s parade route, which is shown in purple. Attendees wanting to watch the parade have been asked to use any of the designated public spaces along the route.
Alastair Jamieson30 June 2023 16:36
‘An act of protest’
For many in the LGBT+ community, 2023 has felt like a big step backwards for the rights. Emma Henderson speaks to some those marching at Pride in London to find out why this year’s event is more important than ever.
Alastair Jamieson30 June 2023 16:33
