This year takes on added significance as 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales. The pride festival celebrates this achievement, along with the many others that have followed along the years, such as the lowering of the age of consent in line with heterosexual couples to 16 in 2001, the ability for transgender people to change their legal gender in 2005, adoption rights of same-sex couples in 2009 and the the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2014.
Of course, discrimination still exists in the UK and the rights of LGBTQ+ in law are not as far advanced in other parts of the world as they are here, so the pride parade does not just act as a celebration of these advances, but also as a march calling for greater equality at home and abroad.
For those of you who live in or near London, or members who are staying in the London clubhouse this weekend, be sure to head out to watch the parade. The route passes just metres from the clubhouse, heading down Regent's Street, through Piccadilly Circus, onto Pall Mall and through Trafalgar Square.
