Pride

Brighton Trans Pride’s ‘amazing turnout’ showcases ‘all that’s been achieved,’ says MP

Trans pride flags flutter in the wind at a gathering to celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility, March 31, 2017 at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in Los Angeles, California.

Eight thousand people took to the streets of Brighton on Saturday 20 July to celebrate Trans Pride; two thousand more than was anticipated by experts.

During the event, Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas took to social media to share how wonderful it was to see so many attendees as she suggested that the staggering numbers were a reflection of how far the UK has come in terms of acceptance.

“Amazing turnout for – biggest Trans Pride event in Europe & home to the first ever in UK 7 years ago,” wrote an enthusiastic Lucas on Twitter. “Wonderful celebration of all that’s been achieved.”

Acknowledging the tragic truth that transphobic hate crimes are “on the rise” though, Lucas was quick to add that we still have “much further still to go” in order to achieve true equality.

This year’s mile-long parade kicked off at 12pm at the Marlborough Pub and Theatre in Prince’s Street, and finished at Brunswick Square Gardens in Hove. The event’s slogan was “Putting the T first,” which is a tongue-in-cheek jibe at the acronym ‘LGBT.’

Elsewhere, attendees said the celebrations were “an absolute joy” to be a part of.

“So lovely to spend a day surrounded by beautiful trans and non-binary people and allies, proudly supporting trans and non-binary rights at Brighton Trans Pride,” Twitter user Tom Pashby wrote.

 

Others praised Brighton Trans Pride because it felt more like a political act, rather than a p**s-up like other events in London and Bristol.

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