London’s Marble Arch lit up in rainbow colours to celebrate Pride
Marble Arch illuminated to support Pride in London 2019. Image courtesy of Marble Arch London BID, English Heritage and Westminster City Council. (Michael Pilkington)
London’s Marble Arch has been lit up in rainbow colours to celebrate Pride in London ahead of the parade this Saturday (July 6).
The landmark was transformed for one night only to celebrate an inclusive and diverse London.
The arch—which was completed in 1833—has hosted royal processions as well as political movements and marches, and was a place of congregation for the women’s suffrage movement.
London’s Marble Arch has been ‘a symbol of rightful causes’
Kay Buxton, chief executive of Marble Arch London BID, said the arch has had “a long history as a symbol of rightful causes.”
“It’s only fitting that the monument should now play its part in embracing this important event, the success of which shows how much has been achieved over the years for LGBT+ rights in the UK.
“Of course, unfortunately the LGBT+ community can still face levels of discrimination and intolerance, and this is why it is so important that organisations and institutions continue to support Pride in highly visible ways.
“We are therefore extremely proud to have had the opportunity to transform this much loved London landmark in such a dramatic way.”
“Unfortunately the LGBT+ community can still face levels of discrimination and intolerance, and this is why it is so important that organisations and institutions continue to support Pride in highly visible ways.”
This is not the first time London landmarks have been transformed to celebrate Pride. In previous years, the Palace of Westminster, the MI6 building and the London Eye have featured rainbow colours.
Pride in London will be headlined by Billy Porter
Pride in London is set to go ahead this Saturday (July 6), with LGBT+ icon Billy Porter announced as headliner.
The award-winning Broadway performer, singer and actor—who also stars in Pose—will be joined by over 100 other performers including Eurovision and X Factor star Saara Aalto.
Pride in London was attended by more than a million people last year.
In preparation for this year’s event, Pride in London released a video last month celebrating the golden anniversary of Stonewall.
Opening with a reenactment of the Stonewall raid, the video cuts to the UK’s first official Pride in 1972, before zipping ahead to the 1980s and the arrival of the AIDS crisis which has taken the lives of millions globally.
It was announced late last year that there will be “enhanced” security at Pride in London 2019 after a group of anti-trans activists hijacked last year’s parade.
