Trans liberation, non-binary power and ‘f**k Liz Truss’: Powerful, jubilant, electrifying photos from Trans+ Pride
London Trans+ Pride. (PinkNews)
Thousands of people gathered in central London on Saturday (26 June) to march for trans rights in the third-ever London Trans+ Pride.
For more than two hours, trans and queer people streamed towards Wellington Arch by Hyde Park Corner until the large expanse of grass was obscured by protestors. Many carried or wore flowers, in memory of trans lives lost.
London Trans+ Pride organisers, an anonymous collective, said the main focus for the march would be demanding equal rights for the trans community, access to healthcare and legal recognition of non-binary people.
“In the spirit of the movement of Pride this event is in no part in collaboration with police,” they said. “Pride is and always will be a protest.”
Placards and banners made the demands of those gathered at Wellington Arch clear: healthcare equality, gender recognition law reform, protection of trans kids, legal recognition for non-binary people, intersex rights, improving the material conditions of trans people’s lives.
London Trans+ Pride. (PinkNews)
London Trans+ Pride. (PinkNews)
London Trans+ Pride. (PinkNews)
There were reminders that Black Trans Lives Matter, proud proclamations of dykes for trans rights, and angry messages directed at Boris Johnson and his Tory colleagues – “Protect the kids, stop banning puberty blockers, f**k Liz Truss,” read one.
“Chandler Bing was trans,” read one of the more light-hearted banners. Just before 3pm, the march set off through the arch and towards central London. At the front, a person with a megaphone asked: “What do we want?” to shouts of “Trans rights”.
“When do we want them?” the person shouted. “Now!” was the roaring reply.
London Trans+ Pride. (PinkNews)
Peter Tatchell (PinkNews)
Russell Tovey (PinkNews)
The column of protestors slowly made their way down Piccadilly. The mood was noisy, jubilant. Were there thousands of people there, or tens of thousands? It was hard to say, but a person standing on the side of the road when the front of the march went past could watch the protest pass by for more than 10 minutes before the tail-end of it came into view.
After a detour down some narrower streets to avoid Piccadilly itself, which was being blocked by an anti-mask protest, protestors arrived in Soho and made their way to Soho Square. Volunteers handed out bottles of water, snacks, masks and hand sanitiser.
London Trans+ Pride. (PinkNews)
The Outside Project. (PinkNews)
With thousands still flooding into the square and surrounding streets, speeches began, led by model and activist Munroe Bergdorf and Hollyoaks star Ki Griffin.
Other speakers included the poet Kai-Isaiah Jamal and YouTuber Abigail Thorn. Even after an hour of speeches, protestors were still arriving at the square, chanting and cheering.
Trans and non-binary people sat on the grass, surrounded by allies and joy. The energy was victorious. Tired trans kids drooped onto parents shoulders. Flowers and placards were threaded into the park’s railings.
Munroe Bergdorf addresses the crowd (Charlie Mathers/@charlie.mathers)
Hollyoaks star Ki Griffin addresses the crowd in Soho Square (Charlie Mathers/@charlie.mathers)
London Trans+ Pride. (PinkNews)
London Trans+ Pride. (PinkNews)
It’s been a long year of attacks from the media, politicians and anti-trans campaigners. But yesterday, trans and non-binary people coming together for London Trans+ Pride were nourished and freshly energised by being with community.
