Pride is MoreThan A Celebration, It's a Protest } }U.S. Experienced Freedom Thru Protest
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Pride Is a Protest. This Year, London Lived Up To That.
When you see a colorful parade through central London of glitter and rainbow flags, it can be tempting to think of Pride as a party. In ways, it is. But marchers at London Pride this year were carrying a more sobering reality of queer rights today, edging the party closer to its origins: Angry, valiant protest. An estimated 30,000 people took to the streets on Saturday, including dancers, performers, and a procession of floats. For many, the political context was at the forefront of their minds. It’s been a devastating year for trans people, with the cultural conversation on “gender issues” leading to a staggering rise in transphobic hate crimes. This year’s official message of trans solidarity –“Never March Alone” – tinged the celebrations with a harder edge: Signs were angrier, more urgent. Chants were louder. Even the messaging on corporate floats gave shoutouts to trans inclusion. The political unrest in the country took center stage over the afternoon: For the climate crisis, it appeared in the form of several Just Stop Oil protesters. Seven were arrested in the afternoon, after successfully disrupting the procession to call for a boycott of the event’s high-polluting sponsors. Activists from around the British Commonwealth were there to fight for justice in countries where being gay is still illegal. They stood together to hold up a powerful sign: “We are not criminals”. Others took the opportunity to speak up against the hateful rhetoric of refugees, including the government’s Rwanda policy. This, interspaced with live music, defiant dancing, and iconic outfits – feels like what Pride is for.
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