London Pride: Billy Porter leads “protest and party” because he is what the world needs right now

London Pride: Billy Porter headlines entertainment

Credit: Getty

Life


London Pride: Billy Porter leads “protest and party” because he is what the world needs right now

By Hollie Richardson

6 years ago

Billy Porter’s words on love being inclusive are exactly what we need this weekend. (And, of course, we cannot wait to see what he wears…)

Happy Pride Parade, London!

The theme of this year’s Pride in the capital is Jubilee. It marks 50 years since the Stonewall riots of 1969 and the half century of activism that has brought us to where we are today.

Pride originally started out as a march for LGBTQ+ rights and, despite it evolving into a glorious and glittering celebration around the world, recent news proves how much still needs to be done to achieve this. Just last month, we learned that hate crime against the queer community is on the rise, and the story of a lesbian couple who were attacked on a London bus were just one horrific example of this.

But today (Saturday 6 July) the parade is “a protest and a party” and a “celebration of life” according to Billy porter, who is headlining the event. The Pose actor will perform on stage in Trafalgar Square where the stars of musicals Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and & Juliet will also be entertaining crowds.

Speaking to ITV news ahead of the march (which starts at noon), Porter said: “It’s a protest and a party, I like to say. Pride is about the community coming together, letting each other know that we’re not alone. It’s we – the people – that make a difference. The LGBTQ rights are still up for legislation. None of us are free until all of us are free. Equality for all. That’s what this is about.”

Billy Porter wore his rainbow dress at New York's Pride last month

Credit: Getty

Porter is a brilliant headliner choice, as he recently starred in Taylor Swift’s pro-Pride You Need To Calm Down music video. He’s also a Grammy and Tony-winning performer who is known to make a statement on the red carpet with his flamboyant yet political outfit choices.

“All are welcome; that’s the point,” he continued. “We are teaching the world what love really means. Love is inclusive, love is for all people. We welcome anyone who is a straight ally to come and celebrate life with us.”

So, where is London’s Pride Parade?

The parade starts at Portland Place at around noon. It then moves down Oxford Circus, passing along Regent Street, through Piccadilly Circus to Pall Mall and passing Trafalgar Square. It then finishes at Whitehall at around 5 pm.  

You can download a map of the route and get more details on accessibility here

Images: Getty

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