Gay Pride parade is hit by row over funds

Published on 08/07/2012 00:00

A SCALED down Gay Pride parade took place yesterday in London, with organisers saying they were 
unable to secure full funding due to “poor economic conditions”.

The procession set off at 11am yesterday from Portman Square in Westminster but people were warned not to go to Soho expecting open-air entertainment as no street events had been planned.

Celebrations were scheduled to finish in Trafalgar Square at 6pm, earlier than in previous years, organisers said.

A spokesman said that all the agencies involved had agreed that it was prudent to deliver an event that was affordable, without compromising the safety, security and the integrity of the event.

In an earlier statement organisers said: “London and UK’s LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual] community has never been one to flounder in the face of adversity.

“Despite the changes in the past week, we urge all members of the community to come out in force and support WorldPride and do the very best they can.

“Forty years on from the very first Pride London march, we need to show that this fighting spirit from 1972 lives on.

“Not just for us, but for our brothers and sisters across the world who are still fighting for their rights to be human, their rights to love and the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the place that they live.”

On Wednesday, charity chairman Dr Patrick Williams resigned following criticism of the board’s handling of World Pride 2012.Pride London announced long-standing board member Tony Hughes as its interim chairman.