The annual parade on Saturday July 7 brings Pride in London to a close.
The meaning of Pride is very different than when it began 46 years ago. Now it is seen broadly as a celebration, but there is still a deeper reason why the month is so fundamentally important.
This year, the organisers ask why Pride Matters, whether as protest, celebration, a symbol of freedom or a platform for diversity. Earlier this year, they conducted a report which showed that more than one in three LGBTQ+ people have been verbally abused for their gender, sexuality or identity, and more than three quarters don’t feel comfortable showing affection to a partner in public.
There is a louder conversation around LGBTQ+ rights than there has ever been. Much of life has greatly improved for many but among the noise it’s clear that visibility and acceptance are very different things, and there is still a way to go to make Pride inclusive to all the people it stands for. The conversation has to continue.
Read our complete guide to everything Pride, have fun and, above all, be welcoming.
What time is it?
12pm until approximately 5pm.
Where is it?
The parade route starts at Portland Place and moves down Oxford Circus, passing along Regent Street, through Piccadilly Circus to Pall Mall and passing Trafalgar Square before finishing up on Whitehall.
Can I get involved?
The parade is now completely booked up for groups and individuals, but if you’re still super keen to be part of the festivities, you can sign up here to volunteer on the day. Tag on the end and follow the parade, dancing in its wake or watch its procession from behind the barriers. Do bear in mind that Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus will be incredibly busy and might be best to avoid while the parade is in full swing.
What to wear
Anything goes.
Accessibility
A limited number of accessible parking spaces are available at the Q-Park in Chinatown. Email access@prideinlondon.org about booking these spots. A shuttle bus will then take you to the Parade Access Safe Space or Trafalgar Square. The Safe Space is located in a quieter part of the parade, with an assembly point at the corner of Riding House Street and Great Portland Street. Assistants, carers, family and friends are welcome and there’s no need to book but spaces will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.
Travel info
Check in with @PrideinLondon and @TfL for real-time updates. There are no planned closures on the Tube this weekend, but buses will be affected around central London. Routes diverted will be:2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 38, 53, 55, 73, 74, 82, 87, 88, 91, 94, 98, 113, 137, 139, 159, 176, 189, 274, 390, 453 and C2. Any road on the parade route will be closed into the evening, so driving and cycling aren’t advisable here.
Download the Pride in London app to get up-to-date information about the parade.
