Thousands of activists marched through London in the capital's LGBT+ Pride parade on Saturday, as campaigners warned that rights were "being taken away from trans people." Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan led the Pride in London march, chanting "Happy Pride" at the front of the procession.
Organisers confirmed that pop superstar Madonna would not attend, despite speculation that the 67-year-old singer would appear on the Trafalgar Square stage. Pride in London posted on social media: "In response to the rumours, we can confirm that Madonna will not be appearing or performing at Pride in London. We have two fantastic headliners at Trafalgar Square to conclude a brilliant day of protest and celebration." It is understood there had been communication between organisers and Madonna, but she was never a confirmed attendee. Among the musicians appearing were American singer-songwriter Beth Ditto and British performer MNEK.
Massive Turnout and Diverse Participation
More than a million people were expected to head into London for the celebrations. Organisers said over 35,000 marchers from more than 600 groups were taking part in the procession from Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall Place via Piccadilly. The Metropolitan Police stated before the event that there would be "no tolerance of hate crime" during the busy Pride weekend.
Spectators cheered as floats filled with dancing people and speakers playing music drove through central London. Many wore rainbow colours and carried Pride flags and fans on a hot sunny day. Companies including Lidl, Tesco, and Ikea sponsored floats; Ikea's float carried the message: "Love doesn't require instructions." London-based football teams Arsenal, West Ham, and Crystal Palace also had floats.
Activist Warnings and Calls for Action
Activist Peter Tatchell criticised FIFA for inaction on anti-gay policies. Speaking at the march, he told the Press Association: "We're marching in London Pride today to highlight the fact that at the World Cup, which is ongoing right now, 11 countries ban gay footballers from their team – that's against Fifa rules, but Fifa is doing nothing." He added: "This year's Pride is as important as ever. Particularly now that Reform councils across the country are banning Pride flags … wanting to remove books from shelves. That is very dangerous, very threatening to all of us."
Gay rights activist Julian Hows, 70, who was expelled from school for early gay rights activism in 1971, said: "Pride is important every year. I've been coming to Pride marches since 1972 when the policemen outnumbered the marchers." Wearing a rainbow-coloured waistcoat with Abseil Against Section 28 and Gay Liberation Front pins, he added: "Pride is also important because it needs to have an underlying level of protest, and you can see the freedoms that we have can so easily be taken away. We also always need to push further because there's always somewhere where our rights are being taken away. Whether it's in this country with Reform, whether it's this country with rights being taken away from trans people, whether it's abroad in other countries."
Ongoing Challenges and Community Resilience
A Pride in London spokesperson highlighted urgent issues: "NHS gender-affirming care waiting lists now exceed four years in some regions while a comprehensive trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapy remains uncodified into law despite a 2018 government pledge. At the same time, the community infrastructure LGBTQ+ people rely on is shrinking — since 2006, 58% of London's LGBTQ+ venues have closed. Together, these gaps in care, protection and safe spaces are unfolding amid continued hostility, with Home Office figures showing that more than 18,000 hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation were reported to police in 2025."
Pride in London interim chief executive Rebecca Paisis said: "We want 2026 to be the most inclusive Pride in London event yet. Our movement has always been built on many voices becoming one united front — from the people who marched in 1972 to those joining us for the first time this year. That's where our power lies. As LGBTQ+ people, we've never been strangers to adversity, but neither are we strangers to collective action. This year's campaign is a reminder that whilst the community often faces challenges in isolation, it is by coming together that we can change history."
Co-founder of Stonewall and LGBT+ activist Lisa Power said: "Adversity is meant to shatter us but it can make us stronger as it did in the 80s. Right now, we have a Government and institutions meant to defend our rights that are attacking trans people's rights, and the rest of ours will follow." Pride in London is a majority volunteer-led organisation responsible for delivering the capital's flagship LGBT+ Pride parade and events since 2013.
