Event in June will mark the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots with the theme of ‘Freedom to…’
Pride in London 2014 will pay tribute to the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York, a turning point for the LGBTI liberation movement.
Organizers have set the theme as ‘Freedom to…’ and are holding a public meeting on 10 December to report back on 2013’s event and look forward to next summer.
The British capital saw a new team take over in 2013 after facing a cash crisis which almost saw it cancelled in 2012.
Organizers London LGBT+ Community Pride say 2013 saw 150 groups in the parade, 65,000 spectators at the rally in Trafalgar Square and tens of thousands more enjoying the party across the West End.
They now want to continue to rebuild the event.
The parade will be on 28 June with a week-long festival with the same theme starting on 22 June. By that point, gay marriage legislation, which was passed this summer in England and Wales is widely expected to have come into effect.
Chair of Pride in London, Michael Salter said: ‘We want the 22-29 June 2014 to be an even bigger and more powerful expression of the vitality of the LGBT+ community in London.
‘Pride is a platform for groups to continue the campaign for equality whilst also celebrating the strength of our community and the ties that bind us together. London is a global city so it is also a chance for the LGBT+ community here to send a message to the wider world.
‘We are asking everyone to think about how they can contribute whether by volunteering, organizing events or creating a parade group. It all starts now.
‘Our theme for 2014 is “Freedom to…”. Freedom to… be ourselves, love who we want, change society, live without fear, be an Olympic medal winner… Whatever the freedom is that you cherish, this is the chance to celebrate it.’
by Tris Reid-Smith
Source – Gay Star News
