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| Thousands to join Pride parade in London | Thousands to join Pride parade in London |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Tens of thousands of people are due to join the Pride parade through central London later. | Tens of thousands of people are due to join the Pride parade through central London later. |
| The annual march, now in its 45th year, marks 50 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in England and Wales. | |
| The colourful parade will begin at Portland Place and pass through Oxford Circus and Regent Street, before ending in Whitehall. | The colourful parade will begin at Portland Place and pass through Oxford Circus and Regent Street, before ending in Whitehall. |
| A rainbow flag will be projected on to the Palace of Westminster for the first time in celebration of the event. | A rainbow flag will be projected on to the Palace of Westminster for the first time in celebration of the event. |
| A number of stores and tube stations in London have been decorated with signs and posters using the colours of the LGBT flag. | A number of stores and tube stations in London have been decorated with signs and posters using the colours of the LGBT flag. |
| The Parliament building will also be lit up in the Pride colours as part of the celebrations. | The Parliament building will also be lit up in the Pride colours as part of the celebrations. |
| Lord Fowler, Speaker of the House of Lords, said: "Homosexuality is still illegal in over 70 countries around the world, including many in the Commonwealth. | Lord Fowler, Speaker of the House of Lords, said: "Homosexuality is still illegal in over 70 countries around the world, including many in the Commonwealth. |
| "None of this will be solved by a march, or a display of lights in Westminster. | "None of this will be solved by a march, or a display of lights in Westminster. |
| "But these acts will demonstrate to those who are being persecuted or abused that they are supported. | "But these acts will demonstrate to those who are being persecuted or abused that they are supported. |
| "The lights are a symbol of our support." | "The lights are a symbol of our support." |
| More than 150 police officers will take part in the parade, alongside representatives from the London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade and British Transport Police. | More than 150 police officers will take part in the parade, alongside representatives from the London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade and British Transport Police. |
| The Met said it had been working closely with Pride in London and a detailed policing plan had been put in place. | The Met said it had been working closely with Pride in London and a detailed policing plan had been put in place. |
| The force added: "We know that recent events in London and Manchester will cause people to worry. | The force added: "We know that recent events in London and Manchester will cause people to worry. |
| "As with any large event the Met's priority is public safety and we are working closely with the organisers." | "As with any large event the Met's priority is public safety and we are working closely with the organisers." |
| The first official Pride march took place in 1972 and saw 2,000 men and women take part. | The first official Pride march took place in 1972 and saw 2,000 men and women take part. |
| Last year's event saw more than 40,000 people join the march. | Last year's event saw more than 40,000 people join the march. |