Hackney’s biggest ever contingent for the Pride in London parade marched alongside a council bin lorry decorated with a rainbow flag spreading the message “Don’t trash love”.
Nearly 150 people including council staff, Mayor Phil Glanville, Speaker Soraya Adejare, councillors, local LGBTQI+ businesses, charities, community and youth groups walked alongside the float to support equality for LGBTQI+ ((lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex) communities.
The group – all wearing “I Love Hackney” rainbow heart T-shirts - also included representatives from the Arcola theatre, Hackney Museum, Project Indigo, Sh! women’s store, St Joseph’s Hospice, performance pub The Glory and the Young Hackney youth group.
Nick Connaughton, creative engagement manager at the Arcola in Ashwin Street, said he was honoured to join the march.
“The cheers and spontaneous chants of ‘Hackney’ from both ourselves, and the spectators along the route, reminded me how special the borough is, and continues to give energy to our efforts to make Hackney a safe, welcoming and inclusive place for everyone,” he said.
“The parade recognised that the LGBTQI+ community stands on the shoulders of those who have gone before, whilst reminding us of the work still to be done to achieve true equality.”
Phil Glanville added: “Being at Pride we amplified the message that we as a borough march in solidarity and positively affirm our passion for equality, challenging all forms of hate such as homophobia and transphobia, while celebrating and standing with the LGBTQI+ community, not only in our borough, but around the world.”
On Friday night The Glory organised a gala at Stoke Newington Town Hall to kick start a whole year-long community-led festival to celebrate Hackney’s diverse and boundary-breaking LGBTQI+ community.
Jonny Woo and a cast of 25-drag Lizas performed songs from Liza Minnelli’s 1970s show Liza with a Z.
John Sizzle, co-owner of The Glory who was compere at the night said: “Jonny Woo loves Liza, and this has been a dream of his for years. I’m so glad myself, The Glory and Hackney Council got to realise this together. It’s been an extremely glamorous affair.
“It was a special night for all of us at The Glory and also Hackney Council who’ve been amazing allies in the production of this gala. “It’s been a sold out success, our performers have been beyond fabulous, and we’ve put on an amazing show and everyone has left shaking their jazz hands.”
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