Almost every year for the past 47 years, on the last Saturday of June or the first Saturday of July, people around the UK have come together to celebrate Pride. And this year was set to be no different with the 2020 Pride parade scheduled for 27 June. The Covid-19 pandemic, however, had other ideas and the event was postponed indefinitely in March.
The first UK Gay Pride Rally was held in London on 1 July 1972, a date that was chosen as it was the closest Saturday to the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, and around 2,000 people participated. Since then, the event has spread to other cities across the UK, had several name changes and gotten bigger and better than ever with celebrity performances and numbers in the hundreds of thousands.
As we approach what would’ve been this year’s Pride weekend, let’s take a look back at the history of Pride in the UK through pictures of events past — from the very first rally almost 50 years ago to the rainbow-flag-filled parades of recent years.
Pictured: The History of Pride in the UK - Grazia
1977
A Pride demonstration at the Old Bailey in London on 4th July 1977.
1978
The Pride parade in London in 1978.
1978
The Pride parade in London in 1978.
1983
The Pride parade in London in 1983.
1985
The Pride parade in London in 1985.
1985
The Pride parade in London in 1985.
1993
A couple hold hands during the annual Pride march through central London on 19 June 1993.
1994
A marcher dressed as Marilyn Monroe during the annual Pride march in London.
1995
A participant having her picture taken with a member of the Household Cavalry at Buckingham Palace during London Pride on 24 June 1995.
1995
Men in camouflage trousers ride a pink tank carrying rainbow flags during the London Pride parade on 24 June 1995.
1995
Marchers at the Pride parade make their way down Waterloo Place towards Trafalgar Square in London on 24 June 1995.
1996
Two young men sharing a moment on the grass during London Pride.
1998
Marchers holding hands at the Pride event in London on 4 July 1998.
2000
Three men wearing matching blue swimming trunks take part in the London Pride march on 1 July 2000.
2002
Thousands of people march 6 July 2002 during the annual London Pride parade.
2006
Atmosphere during 2006 EuroPride Day & Pride Parade in London.
2006
The atmosphere during Manchester Pride in 2006.
2007
A carnival atmosphere in Trafalgar Square at the annual Pride march as thousands of colourful participants parade through London's West End.
2007
A scene on Brighton promenade during the annual Pride Festival.
2011
Revellers take part in the annual Pride parade in Central London on 2 July 2011.
2014
A couple with their baby share a kiss as they take part in the Pride parade on 28 June 2014.
2015
Police officers join in the annual Pride parade in London 27 June 2015 as thousands of people take part and attend performances at various locations across the city.
2015
A couple kiss in Trafalgar Square after the annual Pride in London Parade on 27 June 2015.
2016
A dragon in the rainbow colours is carried through the streets at the Brighton Pride Parade on 6 August 2016.
2017
Members of the LGBTQ community take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on 8 July 2017.
2018
A giant rainbow Pride flag is carried along the sea front during Brighton Pride 2018 on 4 August 2018.
2018
A carnival atmosphere during the Pride London parade near Trafalgar Square on 7 July 2018.
2019
The annual Trans Pride parade makes its way from Wellington Arch next to Hyde Park down to Soho square in London.
2019
Thousands of members of the LGBTQ community gathered for the Birmingham Pride parade on 25 May 2019.
Want to show your support for the LGBTQ+ Community even though this year's parade is cancelled? Here's where to shop:
SHOP: 34 Pride Buys That Will Benefit The LGBTQ+ Community
Converse, white chuck 70 pride hi trainers, £85
In celebration of Converse's annual Pride efforts, the 2021 collection celebrates everyone's individual journey to finding joy and freedom in being themselves. The collection benefits Converse's longtime partners globally and locally, including It Gets Better Project, Ali Forney Center, BAGLY and OUT MetroWest.
Jacqueline Loekito, Love Unites Us T-shirt, £60
To celebrate Pride, Jacqueline Loekito will be donating 25% of its 'No Matter Your Gender Love Unites Us' T-shirts to the Okra Project, a collective that seeks to address the crisis faced by Black trans people by bringing them nutritious home-cooked food.
Bella Freud, 1970 Rainbow Candle, £48
Over London's Pride weekend, Bella Freud will be 15% of sales from her 1970 candle to the Outside Project, the UK's first LGBT Q+ shelter and community centre.
Crystal Haze, Juan Necklace, £168
It doesn't get much more delicious than Crystal Haze's gummy bear necklace, with 10% of sales going straight to Norway's Foreningen FRI,
Pantherella, Shine Socks, £14.50
10% of sales from Pantherella's rainbow socks will go towards Trade Sexual Health, a health service that supports the LGBTQ+ communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Fossil, Limited Edition Pride Minimalist Three-Hand Watch Case, £69
This year, Fossil is partnering with The Trevor Project, which provides crisis intervention and prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth, and has pledged to make a minimum donation of $25,000 to the organisation. Fossil's Pride Month collection features the Minimalist watch case and an assortment of ten, vibrant straps so individuals can wear their pride in their own way.
Teva, Original Universal Pride, £45
Designed to celebrate equality and inclusion, this bold pride sandal elevates the Original with pops of color on the hardware and outsole. To help empower the LGBTQ+ community and support hard-fought freedoms, Teva is donating $35,000 to an LGBTQ+ organization.
Wrangler, Pride Sweat in Black, £50
In support of Pride 2021, Wrangler are donating $20,000 to ILGA. They raise awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues and campaign for the freedom to live equally.
Polo Ralph Lauren, Pride Cotton Graphic Tee, £75
Twenty-five per cent of the purchase price of this unisex T-shirt, which is part of Ralph Lauren's exclusive Pride capsule collection, will be donated to Stonewall Community Foundation, benefiting an international network of LGBTQIA+ organisations.
Levi's, Pride Sports Bra, £25
Levi's have released a line of tees, denim and accessories with a call you can't ignore: respect all pronouns (because to use someone's pronouns is to see how they move through the world). 100% of net proceeds from the collection go to OutRight Action International, a nonprofit working to defend and advance human rights for LGBTQIA+ people around the globe. Their annual donation helps support the charity's work year-round.
Savage x Fenty, Embroidered Unlined Demi Bra, £60
Rainbow and 'Pride' script embroidery decorate the sheer mesh tulle cups of this ultra-sexy bra. Savage x Fenty will make a flat donation of $250,000 from the sale of the June Pride capsule collection that will be distributed among five organisations supporting LGBTQIA+ communities, in partnership with Clara Lionel Foundation .
Sabinna, The T-shirt Set, £97
Sabinna will be donating 10% of sales from its 'Love = Love' T-shirt black and white sets to the UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group.
Ugg, Fluff You Cali Collage Slide, £100
To show their continued support, UGG are donating $25 per pair of Disco Stripes purchased on UGG.com (up to a maximum of $125,000) to GLAAD in the US – a non-profit accelerating acceptance and advancing equality. They are also donating £20,000 to the Terrence Higgins Trust in the UK and to the Organization for Human Health and Happinessin Germany.
Nasty Gal, Pride Graphic T-Shirt, £16
Nasty Gal will be making a charitable donation to OutRight Action International, a charity dedicated to strengthening the capacity of the LGBTQIA+ human rights movement worldwide to effectively conduct documentation of human rights violations.
Primark, White Proud Rainbow Stripe Logo T-Shirt, £8
This year, Primark is sending its Pride range to every single Primark store so wherever you are you can pick up the colourful creations and show your support for the LGBTQI+ community. Plus, Primark are proud to continue to support ILGA World in its mission for LGBTQI+ equality with a £150,000 donation.
Peloton, Pride Water Bottle, £30
The Peloton family is global, and is dedicated to supporting the safety, mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ communities across the globe. The brand will continue its work with four organisations – London Friend (UK), The Ali Forney Center (US), The 519 (Canada) and GLADT (Germany), donating $100,000 collectively.
The Kooples x Clement Legrand, Ecru Cotton T-shirt, £70
For Pride Month, The Kooples has teamed up with French artist Clément Legrand, who has created three original illustrations for the brand celebrating love in all its forms. The brand reinforces its support for the LGBTQ+ community and has committed to donating half of the proceeds from the sale of the capsule collection to GLAAD, an association that denounces discrimination and attacks against LGBTQ+ community in the media.
Crocs, Classic Seasonal Printed Clog, £44.99
Further demonstrating Crocs' commitment to inclusivity and support of advocacy efforts that will allow everyone the right to be comfortable in their own shoes, Crocs has proudly partnered with ILGA-Europe the driving force for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) equality.
Gap, The Gap Collective Pride Baby 100% Organic Cotton Bodysuit, £10.47
Gap is proud to donate $50,000 to GLAAD, a leading media advocacy organization working to accelerate acceptance for the LGBTQ community.
Coach, Rainbow Signature Rexy T-Shirt, £125
This T-shirt is part of the Coach Pride Collection, a celebration of equality, diversity, and authentic self-expression within the LGBTQIA+ community. The Coach Foundation has made donations to the Hetrick-Martin Institute (their longstanding partner), Albert Kennedy Trust, and new partners Point Foundation and CenterLink Community of LGBTQ Centers.
Radley London, Beach Bag - Pride, £109
When you buy the Beach Close Pride bag, you are supporting Stonewallin their fight for the freedom, equity and potential of all LGBTQ+ people around the world. Stonewall's work will continue until every LGBTQ+ person is free to be themselves.
Hand & Lock, Rainbow Pin Badge, £15
Throughout the month of June and in celebration of Pride month, British heritage brand Hand & Lock are donating all proceeds from the Rainbow Pin Badge sales to the Mermaids charity. Mermaids Charity has been helping gender-diverse kids, young people and their families since 1995.
Pampeano x Colours Youth Network, Igualdad belt, £65
Argentinian luxury leather goods brand Pampeano will be donating 100% of all profits from every Igualdad belt sold to the Colours Youth Network.
With Love Darling, GLOBAL GOAL # 5: EQUALITY HEART BEADED BRACELET, £35
With Love Darling, the new sustainable jewellery brand, wanted to wave their rainbow flag high for Pride, and what better way to shout support than by donating 100% of proceeds to The Trevor Project from their Equality collection, all month long!
Happy Socks, Pride Sock, £11.97
Happy Socks designed rainbow-colored styles to help you walk with Pride, and have teamed up InterPride, who get 10% of the profits from every Pride pair sold throughout the year.
Toms, Unity Cupsole Alpargata, £44
With every TOMS purchase, you help to support grassroots organisations like Brave Trails — a leadership-focused summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth.
Pop Sockets, Rainbow Flow, £9.99
50% of all sales from the Pride Collection will be donated to AKT - the national LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity, providing safe homes and better futures for LGBTQ+ young people.
Matalan, NSPCC Pride Bag For Life, £5
The Love is Limitless Pride tote bag costs just £5 and is sold exclusively at Matalan in selected stores and online now, with 100% of the proceeds going to the NSPCC, which will continue to help Childline be here for all children and young people in need.
Sock Shop, Pride Rainbow Love Is Love Socks, £3.99
SOCKSHOP have launched their Pride Rainbow Love is Love Socks once again with 20% of each sale going to the LGBT foundation!
Abercrombie & Fitch, Pride Bucket Hat, £25
In support of Pride 2021 and their ongoing partnership, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is donating $200,000 USD to The Trevor Project.
New Look, Black Rainbow Love Wins Logo Pride Charity T-Shirt, £9.99
High street brand New Look are donating 100% of all profits to the LGBT Foundation. Our partnership will be funding their Volunteering Programme in 2021, helping people to harness their lived experience, build new skills and amplify impact across all of LQBTQIA+ services which exists to help ensure a safe, healthy and equal future for all LQBTQIA+ people.
BOSS, Rainbow-logo hoodie, £149
To celebrate Pride, BOSS launches a campaign in support of ILGA World. The campaign features actor, writer, director, photographer, and activist, Tommy Dorfman and Peter Zurkuhlen who is Chief of Staff of Get Help and programming board member of the Los Angeles Chapter of StartOut, which champions LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs.
Schuh, beige proud trust cotton bag, £2
The schuh Proud Trust Cotton Bag celebrates Pride! All profits from the tote bag sales will go directly to The Proud Trust, a LGBTQ+ youth charity that helps empower young people in the UK.
Crystal Head Vodka, Pride limited-edition vodka 1.75l, £140
The new Crystal Head Vodka Pride Edition Magnum has just in time for Pride Month. The 1.75l bottle is priced at £140 available firstly from Selfridges - a percentage of sales will go to the brand's charity partner Kaleidoscope Trust, the international LGBT+ human rights charity
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