Pride Month is in full swing with events across the city.
This year's theme is Jubilee, marking 50 years since the Stonewall uprising, when demonstrators took to the streets of New York to protest against a police raid on a gay pub in Greenwich Village.
Building up to the Pride weekend at the start of July, there are parties, talks, exhibitions and plays throughout June, shining light onto the historical struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and everything that's been won.
Take your pick below, and, for even more LGBTQ+ friendly events in June, see our monthly round-up here.
Pride’s Got Talent final
Each year, Pride goes on the hunt for the next emerging voice from the queer community to perform on the headline stage at Pride festival in July. This time around, the final is being held in the Apollo Theatre, home to Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, which means there will be a special mid-show performance from star Layton Williams.
June 9, Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7EZ, nimaxtheatres.com
Life in Colour: Portraits of Queer Londoners
Artist Leo Crane has spent the past two months painting queer Londoners in his studio – with only two hours to capture each subject. The vibrantly coloured portraits go on show at the Stratford East Picturehouse, offering insight into the lively conversations he and his muses had while he worked.
June 6-July 31, Stratford East Picturehouse, Salway Road, E15 1BX, prideinlondon.org
Pride in London 10K
Get warmed up for the month’s activities with a run around Hyde Park. Whether you’re an avid runner or just want a day in the open air, this is for people of all abilities. It can also be used as an opportunity to raise money to support Pride in London festival and parade, which are both free to attend.
June 9, Hyde Park Bandstand, W2 2UH, theraceorganiser.com
Pride Jubilee: From the Stonewall uprising to the Present
Former editor of Attitude magazine and author of Straight Jacket, Matthew Todd talks about his fight for equality. Todd will be discussing Jubilee and his new book, Pride, which goes back to the Stonewall Riots and looks at the 50 years of activism since.
June 11, The Pilot, Wellesley Road, Chiswick, W4 4BZ, eventbrite.co.uk
Pride over the years - In pictures
Rebel Dyke Live
Learn about the law-breaking, boundary-smashing Rebel Dykes with Karen Fisch. A pioneering drag king under the moniker of Frankie Sinatra, Fisch has been at the forefront of the hidden world of lesbian life in London, from clubbing to protesting. Here, she traces 40 years of Pride in a one-woman jukebox musical.
June 20, the Two Brewers, Clapham High Street, SW4 7UJ, outsavvy.com
Pride Prom
Most of the Pride parties are adults only, so here’s one for the under 18s. At the Collective in Camden, drag queens, musicians and circus acts give young LGBTQ+ people the chance to celebrate. There will be nibbles, mocktails, a host of performances, and then non-stop music for the rest of the evening. Get the glitter on.
June 29, the Collective, Buck Street, Camden, NW1 8NJ, mosaicyouth.org.uk
Pride Weekend
The climax that everything has been building towards takes place on the first weekend in July. The Pride parade begins at Portland Place and winds its way through the centre of London to end in Whitehall. Stages are situated all around the West End. On the Sunday, UK Black Pride returns, this year in Haggerston Park with live music performances, food, stalls and workshops throughout the day.
July 6-7, across London, prideinlondon.org; Haggerston Park, ukblackpride.org.uk
Queer Question Time: the Pride Edition
In keeping with this year’s theme of Jubilee, Queer Question Time brings together a panel of LGBTQ+ leaders to answer questions about Pride over the years. Is Pride still a protest? Is life better now for LGBTQ+ people? What are the issues we are facing today? The debate will be followed by a showcase of performances from Pride’s Got Talent finalists.
June 26, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Kennington Lane, SE11 5HY, vauxhalltavern.com
Stonewall Warriors
A dramatic, musical celebration of the heroes of Stonewall takes place at Heaven, paying due tribute to one of the most important weeks in LGBTQ+ history. Looking too at hidden histories from centuries before, actors including Jonathan Blake – who is portrayed in the movie Pride by Dominic West – will relay real-life forgotten tales. The Fourth Choir is set to sing music from Benjamin Britten to Rufus Wainwright. The ticket will include entry to the afterparty at G-A-Y.
June 28, Heaven, Under the Arches, Villiers Street, WC2N 6NG, outsavvy.com
Planes and Perverts: Pride and Protest Edition
Campaign group Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants have been marching at Pride in London since 2015. They are holding a club night after the parade for politically minded queers to party and raise money for migrant-led groups. It kicks off at 8pm with workshops, film screenings, drag, spoken word, DJs and live music.
July 6, the Garage, Highbury Corner, N5 1RD, outsavvy.com
LGBTQ+ events to go to this June in London
