This month, the is expressing its pride in celebrating the largest and most significant date in the LGBTQ+ community’s calendar.
A wide range of events is taking place across London and the Square Mile to mark Pride, which has its roots as much in protest against prejudice as it does in celebrating the presence, diversity, and achievements of lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer/questioning people in society.
To mark Pride, the governing body of the Square Mile, the Corporation, is hosting a celebration at its Guildhall headquarters on 20 June, in partnership with Link, the LGBTQ+ Insurance Network.
Attended by hundreds of representatives of City organisations and the LGBTQ+ community, the free event will begin with the raising of the Progress flag above Guildhall and include music and live performance.
Other events and activities in the Square Mile include:
5 – 26 June: Queer 80s Cinema. The Barbican Centre is screening films on various dates in June. Time travel through the cinema screen back to the 1980s, a decade when LGBTQ+ representation and creativity thrived in the build-up to enormous geopolitical and social change.
14 June: Libraries and LGBTQIA+ at Shoe Lane Library are also hosting a talk – in person or online – by LC Chung, delving into the pivotal role of information literacy in empowering marginalised communities.
23 June: Swiftie Drag Brunch. Puttshack is hosting a Taylor Swift Bottomless brunch, combined with mini golf. Expect back-to-back hits and food, drink, and activities.
27 June: Lunchtime Queer History walking tour of Culture Mile from Culture Mile BID.
27 June: Drag Bingo at Proud Cabaret City. Mace Foundation are hosting an evening of drag bingo with prizes, party anthems, dance-offs, team games, and lots more.
3 – 7 July: Classical Pride. ‘Classical Pride’ returns to the Barbican in an expanded five-day festival showcasing the breadth and diversity of LGBTQ+ artists across classical music. Nick Grimshaw hosts the finale concert with the London Symphony Orchestra and conductor Oliver Zeffman.
Corporation Policy Chairman, Chris Hayward, said:
“The Progress flag flying high above Guildhall Yard has now become a familiar and popular sight every year, and I am very pleased to see such a wide range of events and activities being held this year, both, at Guildhall and across London.
“I hope that everyone – whether you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community or a much-valued ally – will have an enjoyable, memorable, and safe Pride.”
Chair of the Corporation’s Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion Sub-Committee, Andrien Meyers, said:
“Pride puts the LGBTQ+ community firmly centre stage, not just in the Square Mile and London, but across the world, and the widely anticipated march on 29 June is a huge, colourful, and joyful celebration.
“It is our pleasure to be part of Pride and help champion diversity, equality, and inclusion, while also being aware that much work needs to be done to tackle prejudice and hate which, of course, underlines why Pride is necessary and as relevant as it ever was.”
For full details about Pride events and activities in the City and London, please visit Pride in the Square Mile — The City Belonging Project
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