LONDON TO HOST WORLD PRIDE IN 2012

With support from the Mayor of London, and the city’s tourism body, Visit London, the British capital beat tough competition to be awarded the World Pride festival in 2012. The decision was made at the InterPride conference in Vancouver last weekend.

World Pride will be held in London during the summer of 2012, just ahead of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. Organised by InterPride, World Pride promotes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues on an international level through parades, festivals and other cultural activities.

London’s World Pride in 2012 is expected to attract over one million visitors. The two week festivities will most likely take place from 23 June to 8 July 2012, with the main parade held on 7 July.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that London has won the right to host World Pride in 2012. London has one of the largest and most diverse LGBT communities on the planet and it is a fantastic opportunity to inspire cities across the globe,” said Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

“In an Olympic year, the eyes of the world will already be on London and the city will give an enormous welcome to LGBT people, their friends and families, for what we want to be the most colourful and exciting World Pride festival yet.”

The Chair of Pride London, Paul Birrell also expressed his satisfaction with the decision, saying that, “We are delighted that London was successful in its bid for World Pride.

“This is a great achievement for London and coming in 2012, it will be a glorious year for our city. Pride London has grown over the years to be one of the UK’s largest cultural events and this is a tremendous achievement for the LGBT community.”