Peter Tatchell, one of the UK’s most famous LGBT+ rights advocates has said that pride, needs a “major rethink” and for it to “get back to what pride was originally about”.

The stalwart rights campaigner then put forth a four-point plan, which included returning the parade back to a political march, getting rid of corporate branding and banning motorised floats.

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The plan, he suggested should be trialled for one year.

In a statement, Tatchell wrote

“As a Patron of Pride and one of the organisers of the UK’s first Pride in 1972,

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“I have attended every parade since then – 47 in all. 

“I believe a major rethink is needed. We need to get back to what Pride was originally about. “

Four ways to take pride back

Peter Tatchell Foundation

The Pride parade should become a march for LGBT+ rights

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As a political march, this would mean no charges being imposed by Westminster Council, the Metropolitan Police and the Greater London Authority, saving around £60,000 in fees to Westminster Council alone. 

Pride should be open to all

There should be no restriction on the number of people who can march and no requirement to get a wristband.

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Oppressive institutions should be excluded from Pride sponsorship & the parade 

This includes weapons manufacturers, tobacco and fossil fuel companies and the Home Office until it stops incarcerating, banning employment and deporting LGBT+ refugees. Individuals from these institutions should still be welcome in the parade but without any corporate branding.  

Ban motorised floats, except for disability vehicles

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Having vehicles in the parade allows Westminster Council to slap onerous charges on Pride and contributes to the carbon emissions that fuel climate destruction. 

Tatchell added, “I am proposing that these ideas be trialled for one-year in 2020. If they work, Pride can keep them permanently. If not, Pride can ditch them and try something new”.

Pride In London is one of the biggest prides in the country, which regularly sees over a million people watch and take part in the huge parade.

“The Pride parade can and should remain true to its founding ideals”

CREDIT: (C) Joffe Walters
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Tatchell reiterated what Pride was all about saying,

“The founding principles of the LGBT+ Pride parade in 1972 were: LGBT+ visibility, the celebration of LGBT+ life and culture and the demand for LGBT+ liberation, including the abolition of discriminatory laws and reform of anti-LGBT+ institutions. It was open to all who supported these core principles. 

“The Pride parade can and should remain true to its founding ideals. 

“Pride must be by and for the LGBT+ community – not city authorities or corporate funders. Their support is welcome but it must not dictate”.

Pride operates on the terms of Westminster Council, the police and Sadiq Khan

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Highlighting some of the constraints that Pride In London faces, Tatchell revealed,

“The Mayor of London, Westminster council and the Metropolitan Police now hold the whip-hand. The Pride parade operates on their terms – not ours. 

“We must reject any cap on numbers in the parade. It goes against the ethos of Pride which was, until recent years, open to all. In 1997, there were over 100,000 people in the parade and 300,000 at the post-parade festival on Clapham Common. Numbers are not everything but they should not be artificially restricted. 

What is Peter’s vision for Pride?

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“Revert to a political carnival parade for LGBT rights, like the first one in 1972. If it is a political march there would be no fees payable to the police, council etc. 

“Political marches are not charged. The anti-austerity and anti-Brexit marches were not subject to any of the draconian costs and restrictions on numbers that have been imposed on Pride. 

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“Pride can be political and still have a colourful, joyous carnival atmosphere, as in 1972 and 1997. 

“To cut parade costs, motorised floats should be axed and replaced by other options, such as hand-pulled non-motorised floats – mounted on flatbeds on wheels – as some groups had in 1997.

“These were smaller in size than the gigantic bus and truck floats of recent years but still fabulous and more diverse and imaginative eg the OutRage! giant papier-mache head of Tony Blair in Pride 1998. The Thames Festival parade is awesome but has no motorised floats. I remember a huge dragon held aloft by dozens of parade participants using tall poles. It was very effective and dramatic; proving that motorised floats are not the only way to have a spectacular carnival parade. 

“My congratulations and thanks to the Pride organisers, the Community Advisory Board and all the volunteers who make Pride in London possible. Pride’s online consultation seeking LGBT+ input regarding the future of the parade was commendable. I salute you,” said Peter Tatchell.



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