DAVID CAMERON CHEERS ON WORLD PRIDE

British Prime Minister David Cameron issued a statement on Saturday supporting the World Pride celebrations in London this weekend.

This year, with the city in the international spotlight thanks to the upcoming Olympic Games, London’s annual gay Pride celebrations are doubling up as a World Pride commemoration.

It is also the 40th anniversary of London’s first Pride march.

Despite disputes between Pride organisers and city authorities, resulting in events being scaled back, tens of thousands of people flooded the city on Saturday for the Pride street procession and a concert at Trafalgar Square.

In his statement, the prime minister said:

“The UK has been judged to be the best country in Europe in which to live if you’re gay so it is great that World Pride is being celebrated here in London – especially during this Diamond Jubilee and Olympic year.

“I’m very pleased that the Mayor of London has enabled the march and events in Trafalgar Square to go ahead and I want to thank all the volunteers who will be stewarding the event and contributing to it.

“It is 40 years since people first marched in London calling for equal rights. Since then we’ve come a very long way and progress is still being made. We have just finished consulting on how to introduce same sex marriage and we are working with countries across the globe to bring about greater equality.

“I hope you all have a happy Pride and remember all those who have, and those who are still fighting for, greater rights and protection for the LGBT community.”