It’s been 50 years of marching in London for pride
But Pride in London, recently, has caused a divide
So it’s time now we look back to start anew.
Peel off the logos and get back to our roots.
Because Pride In London isn’t about us, or being ‘seen’.
It’s about you who march, those who can’t. It always has been.
Because London has changed a lot
but the reasons to march have not.
We were all there when the flag was first flown
All there when newspapers made villains of heroes.
All there screaming STOP when section 28 was passed
All there making sure it would never last.
In fact we shared these streets
Until we decriminalised love
Fought for the right for all to give blood
Demanded workplaces treat us with respect
Celebrated our joy in ways they’d never expect
Rising up when they ignored the “gay cancer”
And refusing to accept death as the answer
Because our reality is not a ‘condition’
And all our genders deserve recognition
We marched for the right to walk down the aisle
And we march still, with a knowing smile.
Because these streets are paved in queer history
But more importantly – all our queer victories.
But now it’s time to hold our arms out to call,
WE NEED YOU. EVERYONE.
To become one, to protect all.
To come together and demand our rights,
Fight ‘til us trans folk no longer fear for our lives.
To take to the streets of this great London town
Against the crimes on those of us who are black and brown
To banish the secrecy, prejudice and shame
Make autonomy of our intersex bodies ours to claim
To raise our fists and shout till we’re hoarse
Until conversion therapy is banned FOR ALL
But most importantly
This year we pass the torch to you…
To the next generation.
To the new.
There’s only one rule you need to abide:
There is no Pride without us all.
Without us all there should be no Pride.
There are more than a million of us standing
behind each person on those streets
We’ve come leaps and bounds,
but now we follow your feet.
So, July 2nd, come together and cry,
WE MARCH FOR #ALLOURPRIDE