Pride of London 2025: Blog by Support Worker at Lawn Court, Fleur Smith

Our group met up and joined the commercial sector parade, alongside other groups such as Proud Feathers, Aldi, Marks and Spencer’s, and London Ambulance. The atmosphere was mesmerising, adorned with bubbles, rainbows, and happy faces. People of the LGBTQIA+ community, and their allies, loudly and proudly made their presence known and celebrated. With whistles blowing, hugs exchanged in a frenzy of flower garlands and rainbow flags, people of all identities came together to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community in full force. Friendships were made, whilst others were celebrated.

Although Saturday was a blissful experience, we must mark this ornate party by remembering its contrast to the past. It was only in 1967 that the UK decriminalised homosexual acts. Throughout the years, people of all genders and sexualities have faced discrimination or erasure. It was only in the 1980’s when the world experienced the AIDs epidemic, with the UK government resisting intervention, resulting in significant harm and loss to the LGBTQIA+ community. It was only in 1988 that an oppressive Conservative government introduced Section 28, which banned any education on LGBTQIA+ topics in school. This left innumerable LGBTQIA+ children without the education or support they needed, as well as leaving them to face bullying, hostility, and abuse. This was only scrapped in 2003. It was only in 2014 that the UK progressed enough to allow equal marriage.

In 2025, the plight continues as we fight for equal rights for trans folk. We, as individuals, and as support workers, have a duty to one another as colleagues, and to the beloved people who use our services, to protect and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. In 2025 we can march down the street as a chameleon of kinship, but this is such a recent revelation, and we have so many more steps to go.

Personally, I am a proud bisexual woman. As a child, I wasn’t even taught about the concept of bisexuality, but as soon as I heard the word, I knew that fitted my experiences. Throughout my life, I have loved people and lived my life as a bisexual woman. On one hand, I have been privileged to not experience some of the discrimination that my peers have faced. On the other hand, as a bisexual woman, I have experienced my identity being used as a commodity for the straight cis male gaze. I also ‘pass’, meaning that sometimes my identity is erased entirely. I am in a long-term relationship and engagement with a bisexual male; we are a happy bisexual couple, but often we face erasure due to ‘passing’ as straight. I attended the London Pride with my mother and partner, with my brother and sister-in-law watching us through the barriers in the crowd. For me personally, this was such a heartfelt experience to march as an openly bisexual woman with my family and in front of a crowd of thousands. I have pride.

Saturday was a truly phenomenal day for the entire community. Our staff members who marched represented the charity in a remarkable light. And as the staff rest their weary legs after such a long walk, they can look back at a blur of rainbow and glitter, knowing they did their bit for the LGBTQIA+ community. Congratulations everyone! Thank you for such a fabulous day!