Speaking to GAY TIMES at Pride in London on 1 July, the Shadow Attorney for England and Wales emphasised why Pride protests and celebrations continue to be essential.
“I come every year that I can, I absolutely love it,” she explained. “That’s the truth, bottom line. I really enjoy it, it’s a great party. However, it’s also really important in terms of the politics of it. It’s really important to be here in support and making it clear that we stand united. It always seems as though they’re coming for some of us and we’ve got to make sure that we stand solid and strong and that’s why I’m here.”
In recent years, anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric has been on the rise in both the UK and US, with the latter also seeing reversals in the rights of other groups in the form of things like the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Thornberry said she believes such things are “absolutely” linked and that the fight for equality is “constantly a battle”.
READ MORE: Emily Thornberry MP: ‘UK government wasted golden opportunity to improve LGBTQ+ rights’
“I do think we’re winning, but I think we have to be very careful we don’t slip back and we have to remain vigilant,” she said. “I think people cannot take this for granted.”
She noted that the younger generation may have “never seen this before” and are likely “afraid”.
“We’ve seen it before,” Thornberry continued. “We’ve just got to make sure that we don’t let it get too bad. We’ve got to make sure it doesn’t fall back too much.”
More than one million people celebrated Pride in London this year
Huge crowds took to the streets of London on to take part in this year’s Pride celebrations.
More than 30,000 participants from around 600 organisations got involved in this year’s Parade, which began at Hyde Park Corner and ended at Whitehall.
Organisers estimated that more than one million people took part in this year’s Pride festivities more generally, which coincided with the 51st anniversary of the UK’s first Pride march.
Robby Dee Photography
The day featured headline performances from Adam Lambert, Idina Menzel and Todrick Hall, with other stars such as Eden Hunter, Rita Ora and Jack Hawitt each delivering show-stopping sets.
Pride in London’s ‘Never March Alone’ campaign was featured prominently throughout the day, which emphasised the importance of supporting the trans community.
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