Almost every year for the past 51 years, on the last Saturday of June or the first Saturday of July, people in London have come together to celebrate Pride.
Pride is a chance to celebrate what it means to be a part of the LGBT+ community, as a community, and remember those who paved the way.
The first UK Gay Pride Rally was held in London on July 1 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.
Protesters’ banners at the first London Pride said things like ‘Campaign for Homosexual Equality’. The struggle to be represented in the community is where it all began.
Fast-forward 51 years and Pride is a celebration of the huge range of diversity that defines our city – and it just keeps getting bigger.
As we enter this year’s Pride weekend, let’s take a look back at the history of Pride in London through pictures of events past — from one of the first rallies in 1976 to the rainbow-flag-filled parades of recent years.
1. Picnic in Victoria Gardens 1976. Credit: Getty Images
Two men picnic in Victoria Gardens by the Houses of Parliament, London, during Pride Week. Their balloons have the slogan ‘Glad to be Gay’. August 5 1976 | Getty Images
2. Couple hold hands at Pride 1993. Credit: Getty Images
A couple hold hands during the annual Gay Pride march through central London, June 19 1993. | Getty Images
3. ‘Marilyn Monroe’ at Pride, July 1994. Credit: Getty Images
A marcher dressed as Marilyn Monroe during the annual Gay Pride march in London, London, July 1994. | Getty Images
4. Pride 1995. Credit: Getty Images
A cross-dresser having their picture taken with a member of the Household Cavalry at Buckingham Palace during Pride, London, 24th June 1995. | Getty Images