Black Pride is an essential celebration for anyone who identifies within the intersection of Blackness and queerness, as well as all those who consider themselves allies when it comes to uniting for a more accepting and tolerant world. London is home to the largest free pride event for LGBTQIA+ Black and POC people, so here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming festivities, taking place this Sunday (August 11).
What you need to know about UK Black Pride:
UK Black Pride is a safe space and annual celebration honouring diverse sexualities, gender identities, cultures, and backgrounds. Since its inception, it’s become the world’s largest celebration for LGBTQI+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern descent, hosting a plethora of events that focus on activism and liberation.
Taking over Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, expect a bold and beautiful lineup of performances, talks, community stalls and workshops across the park.
The celebration aims to raise awareness around the experiences of UK’s Black LGBTQI+ community, as well as advocate for social justice, making contributions and creating valuable infrastructures for the communities represented, not only in London during the event, but all-year-round across the UK.
A great example of their work is the Community Action Fund, which ensures Black and POC LGBTQI+ people are seen, heard, and supported, directly funding organisations that work on different thematic areas that affect the community, including safe spaces, mental wellbeing, the workplace, and beyond.
More information:
As for the celebration and festival, this year’s theme is Freedom & Justice, bringing the community together for a well-needed protest and a well-earned celebration. Performers on the lineup include Thanyia Moore, Kaylee Golding, Reptile B, and many more. To check out the full lineup, click here.
You can also expect London’s incredible LGBTQ+ nightlife scene to host special events to mark the occasion, so keep an eye on your favourite venues to extend the celebrations!
UK Black Pride will be taking place at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Sunday, August 11 from 12pm until 8pm. Entry to the event is free but there are a few ways to directly support the cause if you wish to help out, or are unable to make it this year. For more information, visit their website.