East London Pride was a resounding success, with at least 500 people attending the march and festival.
Buses were stopped, and people of all backgrounds came out of the shops, pubs, homes and offices to watch the parade go by. Organisations from Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Hackney and Tower Hamlets were joined by people across East London and beyond.
On the parade
Ali Press, Chief Steward, commented, ”Given all the events in recent weeks, we are really pleased with the turnout on the Parade, and the amount of goodwill generated. Tower Hamlets police particularly deserve thanks for their assistance.”
At the Pride Festival Mayor Lutfur Rahman opened proceedings in the theatre, dubbed the Rainbow Palace of Varieties for the day.
Brought on stage by drag legend Julie Paid, Rahman spoke without notes about his commitment to the diversity of the borough: ”I grew up here, and have seen how things have changed in the last twenty years. I want you to be in no doubt I will fight to ensure there is respect for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender culture and rights in the same way I will for all communities. LGBT people are part of the community of Tower Hamlets, and a respected part. Together, I want to build a united communities of communities, One Tower Hamlets. That’s the tradition of this area, and I am personally deeply committed to it. I am pleased to be here and to support this event. Have a great day!” As well as Julie, spoken word contributors included Roz Kaveney, Mark Walton and Lindsay Rivers. Later the Mayor toured the Pink Petticoat Lane marketplace, where there were stands from over a dozen LGBT community groups in East London and partners from housing and the police.
“His words are to be welcomed, as were the discussions in the community marketplace, on LGBT Muslim experience, on the increase in homophobic crime (33% year on year), and on LGBT-related material in schools,” said Jack Gilbert, ELP Festival Director and co-Chair Rainbow Hamlets. ”We look forward to a meeting in the near future to take these forward.”
Julie Paid and Mayor Lutfur Rahman
Also at the festival the Mayor committed to a separate consultation for LGBT venues on the impact of proposals to change licensing rules which could hit longstanding venues like the White Swan.
Meanwhile upstairs, in the Chamber of Queer Controversy, discussions on the impact of the cuts, on trans identity issues and on multiculturalism, racism and homophobia extended over three hours.
In an email to Jack Gilbert and Rebecca Shaw, Peter Tatchell comments as follows: ”Congrats and well done re East London Pride. I know we had some disagreements about some aspects of ELP but I always regarded them as sincere disagreements between friends. It was really great that the Mayor came and spoke so positively. That sends a really important signal about diversity,unity and solidarity. Big thank you.”
All in all, everyone had a great time! There was fun and politics in equal measure. This is a great base to begin developing plans for the future!”, commented Jack Gilbert.