Organisers of Pride have promised the most “diverse and vibrant” celebration yet as a million-and-a-half people descend on London for the annual event on Saturday.
About 32,000 participants from 500 LGBT+ groups will march from Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall Place, with six central London stages for performances.
Drag Race UK winner Ginger Johnson, who is performing on the main stage at Trafalgar Square, told the Standard that London Pride was a “beacon” for LGBT+ people.
“There was a long time in my life where I knew I was queer, but I didn’t feel safe to share that with the rest of the world,” the performer told the Standard.
“But knowing that there were people out there taking up space, waving flags, being political, having fun with each other meant the world to me because it meant that when I did feel safe and I was ready to share that part of myself, I knew there was a whole gang waiting there to do it with me.
“Coming out is still a difficult thing. And once it’s out, you can’t cram it back in.
“So I think that’s why Pride is so important and Pride in London is a beacon of that for the whole country.”
But the Drag Race star also added that Pride was a protest as well, calling on everyone to show solidarity with the trans community “because they have become victims of a terrible political game”.
“I think it’s really important that LGBTQ+ people come together and stake our claim of what we want the future to look like,” she said, noting the election on Thursday.
Other stars slated to appear include singer Bebe Rexha, below, Married at First Sight UK’s Ella Morgan and the cast of the West End’s Moulin Rouge. The theme of this year’s Pride will be We Are Everywhere.
Organisers said the slogan is intended as a rejection of LGBT+ people being used as a political football and a celebration of London’s diverse community.
