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Capital wins right to host world gay event in 2012
Danny Brierley30 Oct 2008
THE capital will host the world's largest gay festival in the same year it holds the Olympic Games, it has been announced today.
London has won the right to host World Pride 2012 after a campaign by Mayor Boris Johnson, tourism bosses and the group which organises London's Pride festival.
The event is expected to attract a million extra visitors. The two-week festival is expected to take place from 23 June to 8 July, with the main parade taking place on 7 July the anniversary of the bombings which killed 52 people in 2005.
Mr Johnson said: "I'm absolutely thrilled that London has won the right to host World Pride in 2012.
"London has one of the largest and most diverse LGBT [Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender] communities on the planet and it is a fantastic opportunity to inspire cities across the globe. In an Olympic year, the eyes of the world will already be on London and the city will give an enormous welcome to LGBT people, their friends and families, for what we want to be the most colourful and exciting World Pride festival yet."
Chair of Pride London, Paul Birrell, said: "This is a great achievement for London."
Reader views (6)
World Pride eh? This will definantely be one in my calender!
Martin, I had to respond to your comments!! Gay pride festivals are so important to the gay community as it gives us one beautiful day where nobody will judge us, where we can walk through the streets holding our partner's hand without some idiotic teenager yelling 'lesbos!!' and pointing!
I believe a minority which is continually judged should rally together and show the world that we are here to stay.. and I for one will be marching along with the rest of the World Pride goers!
Well done Boris!! Thank you for giving such a judged community a chance to show the world that we're comfortable and accepted in England.. it makes me a very proud British lesbian!
- Penni, Northampton, 02/06/2009 11:03
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I don't quite get this: who was Boris pitching his campaign to? Who or where else was in the running? Is there an international bureaucracy of Gay Pride Festival parasites parallel with the Olympic ones, to say that London couldn't stage one, because it was being held in Tehran this year? Is there money attached? Are there prizes? Will some participants be unmasked as only pretending to be gay for low mercenary reasons? Someone please explain.
- Mdj, Leyton, e10 london, 05/11/2008 23:56
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"If the gay lobby want their lifestyle to be accepted by mainstream society stop having parades that no-one else would have. It only reinforces a belief that they are different- unequal if you like- the very thing they are desperately trying to show they're not in their push for equality." - Richard, London, UK
What is the gay lobbly? What is a gay lifestyle exactly?
You say this "gay lobby" is pushing desperately for equality whilst also pointing out that they supposedly have equality? Which one is it to be? Last time I checked, gay people still have pretty poor positive presence in the world. Any comments like yours reinforce the need for more "mainstream" people to be exposed to homosexuals and their, well, being.
What about the Notting Hill Carnival. I mean, all involved in that have nothing to complain about. Maybe we should phase that tradition out? Clearly racism is not a problem in society anymore.
What about Fireworks night? Maybe that should be phased out. I mean, we have a stable democracy now. What is the point in fires and rockets anymore?
- Martin, London, 04/11/2008 20:35
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At last they have seen sense London is the most diverse city in the World.
And certainly I will look forward to seeing this Parade and festival coming to our Capital City
- Roger, London, 01/11/2008 11:27
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In these days of tolerance it's about time these parades were phased out rather than encouraged. A typical quote from that lobby is 'I'm gay- what's your problem?'; ok, fine, so why do you still need to have a march then? If the gay lobby want their lifestyle to be accepted by mainstream society stop having parades that no-one else would have. It only reinforces a belief that they are different- unequal if you like- the very thing they are desperately trying to show they're not in their push for equality.
- Richard, London, UK, 30/10/2008 18:00
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I thought LGBT stood for a lettuce, gherkin, bacon and tomato sandwich.
- Squiz, Islington, 30/10/2008 12:59
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