London is all set to swell as an estimated one million people flock to the UK's capital city for London Pride on tomorrow. The theme is 'Paint The Town Red' this year and also celebrates 40 years since the creation of the Gay Liberation Front!
The whole of the capital will be in party mode as the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson is set to start off this year's Pride London Parade at 1pm from the corner of Baker and Wigmore Streets. Boris Johnson, made the following statement -
"This weekend, the streets of London will be thronged with people from all walks of life taking part in one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. I am pleased to support our city's Pride celebrations and proud of London's reputation as a place where you can be yourself.
"From poet laureates to politicians and pop stars to rugby players, there's an increasing confidence to be open about your sexuality. Nowhere is this more evident than in London, which is home to one of the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities in the world.
"Everybody has the right to live their life as they wish, free from persecution and abuse, and my office is working with the community, the police and other partners to ensure that irrespective of your sexuality all Londoners are able to participate fully in the life of the capital."
The Greater London Authority his given £100,000 to help organize this years amazing festivities, although they wont be holding a special Pride reception unlike previous years. Johnson also declined to march in the Parade.
After the parade that party atmosphere moves to Trafalgar Square where live entertainment on the main stage will come from a range of performers including gay Brit rapper Qboy, X Factor runners up Same Difference, 80's charters Tight Fit, Brighton based Freemasons, true disco diva Kym Mazelle, sultry Sonique along with many others. There will also be performances from cast members of big west end shows, Hair and Wicked. And, that's not all, oh nope, London nightclub Fire, will be hosting the dance stage over in Leicester Square ensuring the whole of central London is buzzing to the beat that is London Pride.
Soho's not forgotten, whilst road and building words in Soho mean there can't be stages and the that sort of thing as in previous years, the main gay area of London isn't going to be quiet, as a major and massive street party takes over!
In a public bid to attract gay and lesbian volunteers, the Scout Association will be out and about and marching in the Parade this year. I'm told that around thirty adults from all across the organisation will be taking part. Showing how inclusive they've become is important for the Scouts and the appearance of them at Pride sends a powerful message, traditionally, most youth groups or associations avoided actively recruiting gay staff due to misconceptions about homosexuality. Matt Mills from the Scouts Association, said “The Pride London Parade is a great opportunity for us to celebrate the work we’re doing, to demonstrate our commitment to diversity and to attract more leaders to the movement, whatever their sexuality.”
Looking back, and celebrating 40 years of gay liberation, it's amazing just how far the fight for gay equality has come since the early days, of course there is a raft of things to do, but tomorrow is about thanks and a celebration of the work that's gone before.
Looking back at the 8 main demands of the GLF all those years ago, is both nostalgic and poignant :-
1) That all discrimination against gay people, male and female, by the law, by employers, and by society at large, should end.
2) That all people who feel attracted to a member of their own sex be taught that such feelings are perfectly normal.
3) That sex education in schools stop being exclusively heterosexual
4) That psychiatrists stop treating homosexuality as though it were a problem or sickness, thereby giving gay people senseless guilt complexes.
5) That gay people be as legally free to contact other gay people through newspaper ads, on the streets, and by any other means they may want, as are heterosexuals, and that police harassment should cease right now.
6) That employers should no longer be allowed to discriminate against anyone on account of their sexual preferences.
7) That the age of consent for gay males be reduced to the same as for straights.
8) That gay people be free to hold hands and kiss in public as are heterosexuals.
Veteran gay rights campaigner and GLF member writes "We’ve come a long way baby! 2010 is the fortieth anniversary of the formation of the London Gay Liberation Front. GLF made history. It was the beginning of the modern movement for LGBT freedom and human rights.
I was part of GLF. I remember those early days, four long decades ago. For the first time ever, many LGBT people stopped hiding their sexuality and suffering in silence. Inspired by GLF, thousands came out and marched with pride for LGBT liberation. Spurning the defensive, apologetic pleas for tolerance voiced by some of the earlier generations of homosexual law reformers, GLF demanded an LGBT-positive and sex-affirmative society, where everyone could love whoever they wanted without guilt, prejudice or discrimination"
"In the 40 years since GLF, there have been many notable advances. LGBT people are more visible than ever before and two-thirds of the public are now fairly comfortable with LGBTs. Nearly all homophobic laws have been repealed. Positive LGBT images and characters abound on television. Politicians and entertainers are openly gay. Most police are serious, at last, about tackling homophobic and transphobic hate crimes. Gayness is no longer classified as a sickness"
We have come so far, and really we owe a debt of gratitude to those that have gone before, fighting from the freedoms and rights we enjoy today, so let's not forget them, and those around the world who are not lucky enough to share the same freedoms and rights and protections that we enjoy. Happy Pride.
Jason Shaw
gayagenda.com's UK Correspondent
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