Letter to London from Sadiq Khan on 50 years of Pride

Sadiq Khan: Pride 2017 is the 'best antidote' for tragedy and terrorism on the capital

(Picture: EPA)

Dear Londoners,

I’m delighted that Pride returns to our streets this Saturday, with hundreds of thousands of Londoners and visitors set to unite in our capital to celebrate and stand in solidarity with our incredible LGBTQI+ communities.

After two years of celebrating online due to the impact of the pandemic, I’m looking forward to joining together again to mark the 50th anniversary of Pride and its positive impact on our society and the cause of equal rights over the last five decades.

So much progress has been made in our city and country since that pioneering first gathering on 1 July 1972.

We have seen the end of Section 28, equal marriage introduced and improved representation, meaning that many more LGBTQI+ people can now live openly and thrive across our city and society.

But we know there is still much more to do as too many LGBTQI+ people still face prejudice, discrimination and the threat of violence as they go about their daily lives – both at home and abroad.

Worryingly, we are also seeing the rise of regressive populist movements that are hostile to LGBTQI+ people and intent on undoing hard won rights.

Last weekend, there was a horrific terrorist attack on an LGBTQI+ venue in Oslo that took the lives of two innocent people and injured many more.

In Soho Square on Monday night, I stood alongside members of London’s LGBTQI+ communities and fellow allies in a display of solidarity with Norway and to send an emphatic message to the world that terrorists who seek to divide us will never win.

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When we march to mark Pride this weekend, we’ll be celebrating our LGBTQI+ communities, standing up for human rights and showing that unity will always triumph over division.I’m proud that in London we celebrate our diversity.

Proud that we are a city where you’re free to be whoever you want to be and love whoever you want to love. And proud that we will again be showing the world that love will always overcome hate.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan