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Pride London 2018: How to celebrate Pride Festival in London

Pakistan has passed a historic bill ensuring protection for transgender citizens: PA Wire/PA Images
Pakistan has passed a historic bill ensuring protection for transgender citizens: PA Wire/PA Images

It’s Pride Month again – 30 glorious days devoted to the championing equal rights and celebrating the history of the LGBTQ+ community in that little thing we call the world.

Luckily London is a forward thinking place. Whether you’re L, G, B, T, Q, I or just plain straight, you’ll find queer heritage being celebrated everywhere in the capital’s buzzing clubs, pubs, monuments, theatres and even on the streets.

From drag queen showdowns in Brixton to charitable rainbow eats in Soho, here’s where to experience London through the prism.

Events

(Ellie Kurtz)
(Ellie Kurtz)

East London favourite The Glory is putting on a glorious calendar of events for Pride Month, including its epic Grand Final LIPSYNC1000 battle at Clapham Grand on July 11. Expect outrageous costumes and drag queens with attitude as they battle it out at a massive poptastic party hosted by John Zizzle. Grace Dent will also be judging so expect plenty of added lols.

Meanwhile in Brixton, Sink The Pink: Colour Ball will be taking over the O2 Brixton Academy on July 7 for a carnivalesque night of Spice Girl tributes, glitter and general flamboyance. Spoiler: a themed dress code is 100% necessary. If you love a good picnic, head to the Bathing Ponds at Hampstead Heath on June 24 for drinks and eats with friends, organised special walks and a cheeky dip in the pond. Live entertainment from drag sensation Shyanne O’Shea plus performances from the Alpha LGBT+ troupe is also on the cards. Advice: take a blanket and plenty of sun cream.

On June 27, an afterhours party will be transforming the Science Museum for a special late celebrating human sexuality. Talks, performances in the IMAX theatre and live music will be plentiful. Gig wise, The Secret Garden Party’s very own Little Gay Brother will be glamming up London Bridge gaff Omeara for a non-stop rave for over 18s only.

Food

Restaurant chain Wagamama is celebrating Pride UK with rainbow benches built to raise funds for LGBTQ+ charities as part of its year-long #makeitrainbow campaign. To get involved, visit the Soho branch, plant your tush on one of the colourful benches and order some steamed buns. All profits will be donated to chosen charities. On the hotel foodie scene The Berkeley will be dishing out heart-shaped cookies as part of their infamous Pret-a-Portea afternoon tea in the run up to the parade from July 1. For those who love their sweets, The Connaught will be offering guests special Pride-themed light up candy floss at Restaurant Jean-Georges. Love sushi? Chotto Matte will be rustling up a colourful raw fish selection with proceeds going towards local LGBTQ+ charities in and around the Soho area.

Theatre

The newly opened Above the Stag in Vauxhall is showing Jonathan Harvey’s heartwarming play Beautiful Thing throughout June, telling the story of a schoolboy secretly in love with his classmate. From July 3 to August 26 at the theatre, Grindr: The Opera takes a humorous look at the changing landscape of gay dating. Romeo and Juliet gets a makeover at Waterloo East Theatre from June 26 to July 8. Set during Pride, the starcross’d lovers are played as a lesbian couple, with many of the other characters identifying as LGBTQ+.

London drag scene stalwart Jonny Woo and Olivier Award winning cabaret queen Le Gateau Chocolat team up for A Night at the Musicals at Soho Theatre. From June 18 to 30, the pair vow to massacre all the musical theatre songs you know and love. If you live life on the edge, try a bit of improv. Zeal: The Pride Improv Festival is a three night celebration of theatre, comedy, musicals and drag running from July 5 to 7 at the Cavendish Arms and all totally made up on the spot.

At Trafalgar Studios from June 14 to July 7, Lonely Planet explores an unnamed American city at the height of the AIDS epidemic in the 80s. It follows a man’s struggle to come to terms with his illness and addresses the prejudice facing people who are HIV positive. Delve into the life of Quentin Crisp, who was openly gay as early as the 1930s, at Brasserie Zedel on July 1 and 8. Naked Hope pays tribute to his courage and philosophy of living life as your true self. Rounding off the festival, CaBiRet brings together bisexual actors, comedians, musicians, poets and the UK’s only bisexual activist magician for a variety night on July 8 at The Cavendish Arms.