Pride in London has been postponed until further notice due to coronavirus
Pride in London parade in 2017. (Jack Taylor/Getty)
Pride in London has been postponed until further notice due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
Organisers announced the decision in a statement released today (March 23) in which they said the health and safety of the LGBT+ community was their “top priority”.
The event, which was due to take place on June 27, typically attracts more than a million people to the British capital. A new date will be announced “in due course”.
Pride in London co-chairs Alison Camps and Michael Salter-Church said they were forced to make the difficult decision to postpone due to the ever-changing situation surrounding COVID-19.
All Pride in London events for 2020 are being postponed due to coronavirus concerns.
“With the climate changing daily, we need to think even further ahead and make timely decisions to protect the health and wellbeing of our communities, volunteers and participants,” the statement said.
They said they are currently working with partners to determine if they can host Pride in London on an alternative date.
“The safety of all of our volunteers is our top priority and so we’re also changing our operations internally, with all meetings now taking place virtually.
“Additionally, we will be postponing the Pride Festival, Pride’s Got Talent, Pride in the City, Pride Boxing, the Pride 10K and all other upcoming events,” the co-chairs added.
With the climate changing daily, we need to think even further ahead and make timely decisions to protect the health and wellbeing of our communities, volunteers and participants.
“We understand how important these events are to you all, so will of course be announcing future plans for each in due course.
“We fully appreciate the pressures and effects that the current situation is having on all of our communities. Allyship is needed more than ever, so we ask everyone to continue to be kind, loving and generous. Our priority now will be to look closely at how we can support and bring communities together over the coming months.”
Sadiq Khan stressed the importance of self-isolation in the bid to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said it was “a real shame” that the event had been postponed but stressed the importance of self-isolation in an effort to combat the coronavirus.
“The Pride in London parade and events are a key time of celebration and solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community, so it is a real shame that this year’s events have had to be postponed,” Khan said.
“However, it’s vitally important that we all listen to the latest scientific advice to protect the health of one another, and the organisers are taking the right precautions.
“We all hope that Pride In London will be able to be back on our capital’s streets as soon as possible.”
Pride in London is one of the biggest pride events globally. The cancellation, while necessary, will come as a blow to the LGBT+ community.
Pride in London is not the first Pride event to be cancelled due to COVID-19. At least 75 major Pride celebrations have already been cancelled, including various events across the UK, Europe and the United States.
