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| Pride parade in London: Thousands join LGBT march | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Tens of thousands of people have joined the Pride parade through central London. | Tens of thousands of people have joined the Pride parade through central London. |
| The annual march, now in its 45th year, marks 50 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in England and Wales. | The annual march, now in its 45th year, marks 50 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in England and Wales. |
| The colourful parade got underway at Portland Place and will soon pass through Oxford Circus and Regent Street, before ending in Whitehall. | The colourful parade got underway at Portland Place and will soon pass through Oxford Circus and Regent Street, before ending in Whitehall. |
| A rainbow flag has been projected on to the Palace of Westminster for the first time in celebration of the event. | A rainbow flag has been 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 at night in the Pride colours as part of the celebrations. | The Parliament building will also be lit up at night 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." |
| At the scene: Sarah Lee, BBC News reporter | |
| From start to finish, London's streets are full with colour, music, and smiles. | |
| The buzz has been electric with participants dressing up as their favourite super heroes, fairies, and even the Queen herself. | |
| Thousands of people from hundreds of organisations paraded down Oxford Street in a rainbow sea of glitter and sparkles on their way to Trafalgar Square. | |
| The celebratory cheers were contagious - a truly wonderful atmosphere for all those taking part or watching. | |
| More than 150 police officers are taking part in the parade, alongside representatives from the London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade and British Transport Police. | More than 150 police officers are taking 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. |
| Some members of the emergency services who responded to recent terror attacks and the Grenfell fire disaster are also taking part in the parade. | |
| In pictures: Pride through the years | In pictures: Pride through the years |
| 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. |
| Are you taking part in London Pride? Have you travelled far to take part in the event? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Are you taking part in London Pride? Have you travelled far to take part in the event? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |