London Pride parade disrupted by anti-trans protesters

A participant takes part in the annual Pride in London parade, in London
A participant takes part in the annual Pride in London parade, in London Photo credit: Reuters

The London Pride parade was disrupted by a small group of anti-trans protesters, carrying banners that stated "a male can never be a lesbian".

The iconic diverse parade had an estimated 30,000 attendees this year in spite of the temperature reaching 30degC.

Anti-Trans, commonly referred to as TERF, protesters lead London Pride.
Anti-Trans, commonly referred to as TERF, protesters lead London Pride. Photo credit: Pink News

London Mayor Sadiq Khan officially opened the parade, and shortly after a group of anti-trans protesters moved to the front of Pride supporters.

Carrying signs saying "trans activists erase lesbians" as well as distributing leaflets that stated they wanted the L for lesbian removed from the LGBTQIA community as it was "absurd".

Parade organisers Pride in London didn't appear to immediately take action against the protesters.

In a statement the organisers said they did not condone the group's message and their small group wouldn't overshadow the other 30,000 people marching.

However, the LGBT+ and Liberal Democrat group said it wasn't good enough and called for the organisers to resign.

Christopher Joell-Deshields, Pride director, claimed this year's event was the most diverse, but charity Stonewall pulled out of the event due what it said was a lack of diversity.

Pride started as a march to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, in which the LGBTQIA community protested against police during a raid at the Stonewall Inn. It is considered the turning point for the gay rights and liberation movement in the United States.

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