Yahoo News Pride 2020: Crowds fill London streets in celebration of LGBTQ+ community and Black Lives Matter
Proud Londoners braved the wet weather on Saturday to march in honour of Pride 2020 and Black Lives Matter (BLM).
The capital normally hosts one of the biggest Pride events in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of people each year, but the coronavirus pandemic forced many celebrations online.
Despite the postponement of the annual parade and street parties due to social distancing rules, swarms of demonstrators gathered for a Black Trans Lives Matter, in solidarity with BLM and in tribute to the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.
Crowds flocked to Hyde Park Corner, many carrying placards displaying messages such as “Silence is violence”, “Protect trans youth” and “No justice, no peace”.
A number wielded fresh flowers as they brandished banners saying: “Fight police brutality, fight racism! Fight imperialism!” and “Black trans lives matter”.
Meanwhile, Pride month continues to be marked with virtual festivities, including a 24-hour live stream of Global Pride.
Celebrities and politicians were among those taking part, with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer saying the online event allowed people to celebrate “diversity and equality during these challenging times”.
He added: “I’m proud to be an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, and I’m proud to lead a Labour Party which has consistently advanced the cause of civil rights.
“I also know there’s much more to do. We must continue to stand against homophobia, transphobia, discrimination, in all their forms.”
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson tweeted a rainbow flag emoji, writing: "While nothing can properly mirror the joy of Pride celebrations in our towns and cities, #GlobalPride is a unique opportunity for people to connect with one another, in unity, across all nations.
"I send my best wishes to all in the LGBT community celebrating today."
First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon also delivered an online message for Global Pride, saying: “It’s an opportunity to celebrate values like equality, diversity and solidarity and it allows us to send the very clear message that whoever you are, love is love.
“That’s a message that Scotland is very proud to support.”
Leo Varadkar, the recent Irish Taoiseach and newly-appointed Tanaiste, said: “Pride is a party, as well as a protest, and I know it’s very difficult for everyone this year that we’re not able to go out to the streets in the way that we would before, but the pandemic will pass and I know next year we’ll be able to celebrate Pride and protest on Pride as we have done in the past.”
Online events will continue after Saturday, with charities including Amnesty International and Stonewall starting a week of celebration on Sunday.
The Pride Inside events will include LGBTQ+ performers and speakers and will last until July 5.
This weekend’s Pride celebrations come a week after three men were killed in a terror attack in Reading which particularly affected the town’s LGBTQ+ community.
Joe Ritchie-Bennett, James Furlong and David Wails were killed during the incident in Forbury Gardens on June 20.
An hour was dedicated to the three men, described as “friends of Reading Pride”, on the online Global Pride.
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