The countdown is on. After four weeks’ worth of celebrations in the city, Pride Month comes to a close this Saturday with the party of all parties: the annual parade. If you were planning on popping into Soho to peruse the shops, or fancied a leisurely stroll through Hyde Park, think again — unless, that is, you like the idea of being caught in the swell of more than one million glitter-clad, Seltzer-slinging gays.
And yes, you read that right. Last year, London Pride broke attendance records with over a million people showing up to mark the 50th anniversary of the UK’s first parade. This year, we can expect to see similar numbers, though some members of the LGBTQ+ community will be saving themselves for the following weekend, when London Trans Pride takes place on July 8.
This year’s official Pride in London campaign focuses on supporting the transgender community. Titled Never March Alone, the campaign is a direct response to the frightening discussions surrounding trans rights. As a result, some Londoners have chosen to put their energy into showing up on July 8, rather than the better known July 1.
“On the 8th of July, I will head to Trans Pride, not just to revel in our being, but because to me, Pride is a call to action. The transphobia that grips this nation is a cancer that spreads with alarming speed, and I see the consequences of this regression every day,” says Nadine Noor, activist, DJ and founder of one of London’s most famous LGBTQ+ club nights, Pxssy Palace.
“This year I will be focussing all my energies on London Trans Pride,” says musician and writer Tom Rasmussen, “London Trans Pride’s ethos is by and for the trans community and their allies. That’s where my pride is, and has always been, in the community and our ability to gather, celebrate, demand and resist. I couldn’t be prouder to be trans this Pride month.”
For others — myself included — both weekends are on the agenda. Just like Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the events are seven days apart meaning ample time to recover, right? “On the day of London Pride I’m sure you’ll find me somewhere in Soho, most likely topless, showing off my scars with pride, shouting ‘Trans rights are human rights!’” says model and activist Kenny Ethan Jones. “No matter what is thrown at us we come out stronger.”
For those planning on making a day (and a night) of it this weekend, here’s everything you need to know.
The parade
As usual, this year’s Pride parade kicks off at 12pm from Hyde Park Corner. We’ll then march through central London, through Piccadilly Circus, Haymarket, Trafalgar Square, until we reach the official ending point of Whitehall. That being said, the unofficial end is often Soho Square, where masses tend to congregate mid-parade. With so many attendees, this often takes a little while, so don’t panic if you’re running late.
“Pride to me is truthfully an extension of how I live my life every day as an out queer person, but this time with an environment that feels a lot more supportive and joyful. I want to be in the sun in a park... surrounded by other gay people. Nothing touches that sense of connection you feel from being surrounded by people who share some kind of queer experience with you,” says Women Don’t Owe You Pretty author Florence Given.
If you’d rather watch from the sidelines, find something to perch atop along Piccadilly (the longest stretch) or head to Regent Street where you will find a spectacular display of intersex-inclusive flags designed by Valentino Vecchietti, founder of Intersex Equality Rights UK. While you’re on Regent Street, create your own placard ahead of the parade. For those who have forgotten to bring their own, Gay Times have opened a Pride placard pop-up.
The concert
Early this month, Adam Lambert dropped the official Pride in London song — a cover of Sylvester’s You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) — and he’s not stopping there. Lambert, alongside Let It Go singer Idina Menzel and musical theatre legend Todrick Hall, will be headlining the official Pride in London concert across four stages at Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Golden Square and Dean Street. More than 100 performers are set to take the stage.
The brunches
For those getting on the booze early doors, Berners Tavern at The London Edition hotel is hosting a very special Pride brunch in collaboration with Jean Paul Gaultier and Henry Holland as well as the winner of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Violet Chachki. The annual event takes place every year to help raise funds for LGBTQ+ charities The Albert Kennedy Trust and Not a Phase. Expect to see performances from very special, yet-to-be-announced guests, as well as a charity raffle.
Meanwhile, down the road at Lío London (formerly known as Café de Paris), another fundraiser for the Albert Kennedy Trust is taking place. From 12.30pm, a very special brunch will kick off with guests including burlesque performer Jake DuPree and circus artist Beau Sargent. “As a non-binary person, Pride has truly become such an invaluable and honoured time for me to really celebrate,” says Dupree. “It is about embracing all of the things society has tried to make us feel ashamed for or less than. We’re here. We’re queer. We’re not going anywhere!”
Where to party…
Howl
Howl, one of London’s most notorious queer raves, will be taking over not one, but two venues this Saturday night. Over at Greek Street’s Soho House, renown London DJ J. Aria will be hitting the decks. “This year I will be performing at multiple parties across the city, including a Howl takeover of Soho House,” they explain. “To me, Pride means centering the fight for our trans siblings’ liberation, and not allowing heteronormativity or corporate saturation to distract from the integral and vital act of protest. There is no Pride without trans liberation!” For the non-Soho House members, Howl is throwing another party at Hackney Wick’s Colour Factory, alongside the likes of Pxssy Palace, Riposte and Nite Dykez.
Club64
For those who find themselves in a state where travelling too far looks er…unlikely, Club64 could be the place for you. Soho’s newest and coolest members’ club has a treat in store — the endlessly iconic presenter, host and DJ Miss Jason. “I’ll be celebrating Pride by DJing through the streets of Soho at Club64. What I love most about Pride is sharing the stories of the people that fought, so I could live an open, free life. In 2023 the world needs reminders.
The Brick Lane Alternative Pride Party
If you haven’t already heard of The Common Press, you should have. Also known as Glass House, it opened in 2019 as an LGBTQ+ multidisciplinary venue just off Brick Lane. Part coffee shop, part bar, bookshop and workspace, this space is east London’s latest queer haven. On July 1, they’ll be hosting the biggest queer party on Brick Lane, while at the same time over in north London, they’re hosting yet another bash in Walthamstow from 9pm-2am
Metropolis
‘A disco in a strip club’ is the tagline of this Pride party. Queer Bruk, Hifi Sean, Michelle Manetti and Uokhun are all taking over the Cambridge Heath strip spot. “Our wish is to represent minorities within minorities. Think of us as bridging the gap between Notting Hill Carnival and London Pride,” says Queer Bruk founder Akeil Onwukwe-Adamson. Tickets are only £5.
Egg
Egg is making a surprise appearance on our 2023 agenda. This year, the King’s Cross club will play host to some of London’s coolest DJs of the moment, Manuka Honey, Ivicore and River Moon. DJ Ivicore in particular is one to catch — they’ve just started their own event, Popola, making waves as the only queer perreo event in the city. If you’re new to the Spanish term ‘perreo’, we’ll let you look that one up for yourself.
Dalston Superstore
It wouldn’t be Pride without an honourable mention for Dalston Superstore. There comes a point around 7pm when the sun starts to lower and the crowd at Soho Square begin to ask ‘Where next?’ For a large majority, the answer, without question, is Dalston Superstore. This year’s Pride event Issa M-A D Haus Party starts at 9pm and doesn’t stop until 4am. The queues are famous so be prepared to wait over an hour if you get there past 11pm.
