★Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan on the march
★Madonna rumoured to be on her way
London’s hotly anticipated LGBTQ+ Pride parade has drawn hundreds of thousands to the capital, with supporters pouring into the streets.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is on the march and Madonna is rumoured to be registered as an expected guest.
London’s spectacular Pride parade has turned the capital’s streets into a sea of colour, with hundreds of thousands supporting the LGBTQ+ community – as rumours swirl that Madonna will make an appearance.
The iconic march is passing several major London landmarks today, including Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus. The procession began at midday, with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan among those at the front leading chants.
Following reports that Madonna could make an appearance, an insider previously told The Sun: “She isn’t going to be performing like she did in New York. It’s more her coming out, speaking to the crowd and then heading off.”
Road closures are in place across Westminster and the surrounding areas, including the West End, for most of today as police warn there will be “no tolerance of hate crime”.
In a call for the LGBTQ+ community to stand together and support each other, this year’s event is based around the campaign “An Alliance of Defiance”. The Mirror is an official media partner for the event.
‘No tolerance of hate crime’, Met Police warn ahead of London Pride
In a post on X, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Pride is both a celebration and a protest. Today we celebrate the progress we’ve made, while recommitting to the fight for equality.
“At a time when rights and representation cannot be taken for granted, London stands with its LGBTQIA+ communities.”
LGBTQ+ activists slam FIFA of ‘doing nothing’ over countries banning gay footballers
Prominent human rights and
LGBTQ+ activist Peter Thatchell is in the London Pride parade, with banners calling on the FIFA to do more about teams playing in the World Cup which ‘ban gay players’.
In a post on X, he said FIFA must suspend the teams, adding: “11 countries criminalise & discriminate against gay footballers.”
“This is against FIFA rules that ban discrimination based on sexuality But FIFA does nothing!”
In another post, he slammed the official Pride London placards – that read ‘An alliance of defiance’ and ‘Many voices, one front’ – as “meaingless”.
“No condemnation of the culture war against trans people or Labour relegating the ban on conversion practices to a mere DRAFT Bill,” Thatchell penned. “No calling out the #Commonwealth over 29 countries than criminalise us SHAME!”
Live music begins at Trafalgar Square
Headline acts are now kicking off at Trafalgar Square with Leo Kalyan currently performing.
Mexican Embassy joins London Pride
The Mexican Embassy in the UK is supporting London Pride today.
The embassy said in a post on X: “Mexico present at Pride In London!
“The Embassy of Mexico in the United Kingdom participated in this celebration that recognizes diversity, inclusion, and equality, reaffirming our country’s commitment to defending the human rights of LGBTIQ+ people.
“Mexico marches with pride, facing the world and true to who we are: a diverse, plural nation committed to building more just and inclusive societies. We continue celebrating pride as an expression of freedom, dignity, and the right of all people to be who they are.”
The support comes as England prepare to face off against Mexico in the World Cup on Monday.
Piccadilly Circus is looking lively already this afternoon with London Pride celebrations and the parade well underway.
Parade on the move
The huge parade is well and truly underway now with spots of sun also making an appearance for those making their way through the capital.
Rumour has it Madonna could make a surprise appearance at Pride in London today – which will undoubtedly cause “absolute pandemonium”.
It is tipped the icon, a passionate and long-time LGBTQ+ ally and advocate, could make an appearance on the main stage, though nothing has been confirmed by organisers.
An insider previously told The Sun: “Organisers are playing it by ear in case of any last-minute changes but as it stands, Madonna is primed to come out on the main stage. She isn’t going to be performing like she did in New York. It’s more her coming out, speaking to the crowd and then heading off.”
Fans are hoping Madonna will make the appearance.
Source: Mirror
