Pride London parade to take place in July
This year’s Pride London parade and rally are set to be the biggest ever say organisers.
The parade will take place in central London on Saturday July 5th.
“Following the enormous success of the Pride events in June 2007, and all the feedback we received from people who took part, our aim is to create an even bigger and better event for 2008,” said Paul Birrell, Chair of Pride London.
The parade will be the culmination of the usual 15-day Pride London Festival that will run throughout two weeks.
Birrell also said this year’s Pride parade will have commercial sponsors with links to LGBT groups and charities.
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone is supporting the parade and the other events in Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and Soho.
“Pride London is a key event for London as a great world city. The capital is home to the largest, most diverse lesbian and gay population in Europe,” he said.
Last year’s colourful event began in Baker Street and ended in Trafalgar Square, where a rally and concert was held.
Despite torrential rain tens of thousands of people marched.
The Mayor said he believes this event proves that London is a welcoming place for LGBTs to live in and visit.
“We will continue to work closely with the Mayor to develop this free, world-class event, with the aim of attracting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community from London, across the UK and internationally,” said Mr Birrell.
In 2006, London hosted one of its most successful gay events ever, the EuroPride. An estimated 600,000 people attended.
Since then Oxford Street and Regent Street have been closed off to allow the parade to pass through.
The Pride movement began in the UK when a few thousand people marched along Oxford Street in 1972.
Many gay clubs, bars, hotels, pubs, and restaurants will also be holding events and offering special promotions during London’s Gay Pride Festival.
More information will be available on www.pridelondon.org
