More than 100,000 people flooded the streets of London on Saturday for London Trans+ Pride 2025, marking the largest trans+ pride gathering in history. With the theme “Existence and Resistance,” the event stood as a powerful rebuke to ongoing political and legal challenges to trans rights in the UK and beyond.
The pride march coursed through iconic London landmarks — Regent Street, Piccadilly, and Trafalgar Square — before culminating at Parliament Square, where actor Yasmin Finney (Heartstopper, Doctor Who) delivered a stirring speech to the crowd.
“This year’s London Trans+ Pride made history once again,” said Lewis G Burton, one of the founding members. “It was an emotional and powerful day… Our community came together to show what real strength, solidarity and care looks like.”
The event followed the controversial UK Supreme Court ruling in April, which stated the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex — a decision that has ignited deep concern within the trans community.
“You can try to take away our rights, but you will never remove us from society,” Burton declared. “We are a part of humanity.”
Among the crowd was Alex Parmar-Yee of the Trans+ Solidarity Alliance, who called for mass participation to counter “harmful proposals” and “opaque policy changes” such as the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s interim guidance, which she says will “devastate the lives of trans people.”
“It feels like this guidance is being passed behind closed doors,” she warned. “Without scrutiny, without visibility, and without democracy.”
Parmar-Yee also raised the alarm on escalating anti-trans rhetoric, comparing recent UK developments — including a potential “bathroom ban” — to regressive U.S. policies.
“Although we may consider the UK quite different from a country like America, it’s a bathroom ban that would make someone like Donald Trump proud.”
A Global Wave of Pride and Protest
The spirit of resistance wasn’t confined to London. Around the world, Pride events turned up the volume on activism:
- In Berlin, tens of thousands danced through the streets to techno beats, marching past the Brandenburg Gate in one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ celebrations. A small right-wing counter-demonstration was largely contained, with several arrests made for weapons violations and anti-constitutional symbols.
- In Amsterdam, a more festive but equally determined crowd launched a week-long celebration of Pride Amsterdam under the theme “Love”. Marchers emphasized the growing global threat to LGBTQI+ rights.
“We’re not just here to party,” said Ben Thomas, a 44-year-old teacher. “We’re here to be equal citizens. We’re here for our rights.”
A Movement, Not a Moment
As legislation and rhetoric become increasingly hostile in various parts of the world, London Trans+ Pride 2025 was more than a celebration — it was a clarion call. With its record-breaking turnout and powerful message, it cemented itself not only as the largest trans+ pride event globally, but also as a vital symbol of resistance, resilience, and hope.
“We will not be erased,” said Burton. “Our existence is natural, historic, and enduring.”
