London Pride 2024: 'Deeply shameful' politicians accused of endangering LGBT+ people to score political points
Politicians were criticized for using LGBT+ issues for their own gain and trying to gain political points during London's Pride parade in the city center today.
It was anticipated that 1.5 million individuals who identify as LGBT+ and their allies would participate in the yearly parade. The event featured a wide range of participants including community organizations, sports teams, entertainers, and businesses.
Ginger Johnson, who won the most recent season of Ru Paul's Drag Race UK, was backstage preparing for a performance when she sat down for an interview with Sky News.
Ginger expressed her strong disapproval of politicians trying to exploit LGBT+ issues for their own gain.
She mentioned that it's simple for them to stir up emotions with discussions on topics such as whether transgender individuals should be permitted to use single-gender bathrooms.
I don't believe they grasp the risk posed to the transgender community, in particular.
This week, Rishi Sunak referred to David Tennant, the actor from Dr Who, as "the issue" for telling Women and Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch to be quiet about her opinions on trans rights.
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"It's extremely heartbreaking," expressed Kelly Panayi as she watched the parade with her spouse.
"Why does it matter what people are like or what they want to do? As long as they're not causing harm to one another, who should be concerned?"
In eye-catching costumes everywhere you looked, many individuals were seizing the chance to come together and honor the LGBT+ community.
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"I used to feel scared about being openly gay when I was younger," said Graham Kenny, who is from Dublin.
Pride allows you to showcase your true self and feel secure in doing so with the support of everyone around you.
London's Pride parade has been happening for 52 years now, starting just three years after the Stonewall riots.
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The protests started when members of the LGBT+ community were forcibly removed from the Stonewall Inn in New York by law enforcement, sparking the beginning of the movement for gay rights.
Ruby Andrews, who was on a trip from the United States to the United Kingdom, came to watch the parade. She expressed her delight at seeing the celebrations for Pride and the large crowds of people participating, noting that such large numbers of participants are not typically seen in the US.
