The City of London Corporation will be out and proud to show support for the LGBT+ community next month, making its debut the annual Pride in London parade.
Around 50 elected Members and staff from the Square Mile’s governing body will take part in the march through central London on Saturday 7 July, for the first time in the parade’s 48-year history.
More than 30,000 people and representatives from around 250 groups are expected to take part in the parade, which is one of the largest LGBT+ events in the world.
Corporation staff will be joined by by students from the City of London’s schools and academies and City police officers, all donning the rainbow colours synonymous with the festivities.
The Pride flag will also fly over City landmarks including Guildhall, Mansion House, The Old Bailey and Tower Bridge in the week leading up to the parade.
Tim Hailes, the first openly gay Sheriff of London, said the march will be the Corporation’s way of “celebrating the growing diversity in the Square Mile, while also standing shoulder-to-shoulder with those working in communities to promote acceptance and tackle homophobia.”
“Pride is the name and proud is, undoubtedly, what we are to be taking part in this wonderful celebration of LGBT+ people, and what has been achieved, in particular, over the last 25 years,” he said.
“Society is more accepting, the LGBT+ community is more visible and vocal than ever, and championing diversity is now firmly on the agenda of City businesses, but it would be naïve to suggest that prejudice no longer exists.
Catherine McGuinness, Policy Chairman at the City of London Corporation, said: “City Pride, the City Corporation’s LGBT+ Staff Network, put forward the idea to take part in Pride this year.
“I wholeheartedly welcome the opportunity to get involved in this celebratory and colourful event that reminds everyone of the importance of inclusivity, diversity and acceptance.
“I send my warmest wishes to everyone on the day and hope that they have an enjoyable, safe and memorable Pride.”
Cover image by Ludovic Bertron (Creative Commons).
