Queerness and Colour

Hey everyone,

Originally, the march was a reaction to ‘gender critical’ counter protesting in English Pride events. 5 years before the first Trans Pride march, the Gender Recognition act and Equalities act were put in place which, in part, gave trans and gender nonconforming individuals newfound rights and respect in England. With critics of these acts making themselves known several years after their installation (once the dust had settled), the rights of trans people have been gradually eroded by biased media and submissive politicians. 

Ever since the march’s first walk, it has doubled in size with each successive year. In 2023 on my first march (when I was still so unsure) the LTPM got around 35k attendees. Last year, it had 65k participants (and still failed to air on national news). This year, on its 7th demonstration, the number of protestors once again nearly doubled to 100,000 trans, non-binary, non-comformin, and cis folk marching to demonstrate support for our rights!!! This time, it even got time on the BBC (albeit with their dismissive, sanitised, and all round transphobic voice).

In a world where fascist governments are attempting to ban trans care and rewrite trans lived-experiences as simple ideologies, I feel the truth of events such as the LTPM is crucial to give everyone a sense of the supporting majority. It also give us all an oasis of trans-joy in the desert of conservative dogma!

For the first time, the march started on time. We arrived at St James Square, a small park barely a block outside of the main march’s gathering. Already, we were met with over 200 people with banners and beautiful dress, chanting ‘trans rights now,’ and ‘I’d rather be a tr*nny than a TERF.’

We settled on a small embankment to get my girlfriend’s banner set up (images attached) and have a little lunch before the main event. What grasped me the second we got there was the attendee’s demographic, or specifically the lack of demographic! Boomers, Zoomers, Millies, X, Y, and Zs all set up little camps around the square. The full spectra of class and ethnicity came together to support a minority in danger, it was humanity as a single congregation.

The march was slow to move and to finish. We shuffled our way down St James Street and meandered all around London, finally ending at Parliament Square. In that time we saw so many inspirational people. Books, binders, cakes, and deed polls being given out free of charge, with as much info as you needed. London Trans Pride guards gave out ear plugs and bottles of water, while reminding you not to talk to the police. Parents brought their children and elderly supporters stood in the side-lines proud of their queer children and grandchildren. The community atmosphere in that march felt like a summoned-being; a parent spirit walking with us, telling us all that ‘yes, you are in trouble, but I’m here so you are not alone.’

Eventually, the march came to an end. We couldn’t hear the speakers and we were all exhausted, so we went home around 5. The whole way back to Hyde Park, we saw queer picnics, couples, and parties wandering out in their own way. There was safety and togetherness wherever you turned; queerness and colour.

The LTPM is one of the few times of the year I feel true belonging. I met my girlfriend there last year, and this year we gave out hundreds of free samples of Visibility together, to give people something beautiful to take home with them. In a world of tech-titans and political elites performing N@zi salutes live on air, a day spent among my community has left me feeling renewed.

Love you all,

April Allsop.