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London — 50 numbers A year ago, a group of LGBT + campaign participants marched from London's Trafalgar Square to Hyde Park, protesting discrimination and fighting for acceptance at the city's first pride rally.
At the march on July 1, 1972, it was John R. Lloyd, now 69, organized by the activist group Gay Liberation Front (GLF).
"Oh, it was exhilarating. It was empowering. I thought we could take over the world and change it as we feel ... it's the system It was also about change, "he said.
A 73-year-old transgender woman, Roz Kaveney recalls: It was about autonomy. It was about freedom and about joy.
Homosexuality was criminalized in England and Wales in 1967 for people over the age of 21. Campaign participants, like heterosexual couples, wanted to reduce the age of consent to 16 and claimed that "love has no age limit." The law was finally leveled in the 2000s.
At her home in Deal, southern England, 73-year-old Simon Watney saw an old photo of her march and remembered why she was with her then-boyfriend. ..
She said, "I just didn't want to be a criminal. I thought it was ridiculous to have to grow like a friend behind the law." .. He remembered that the onlookers reacted in different ways.
"Some people spit, others scream. I think most people were a little surprised and confused. Some people just disagree.
Eric Ollerenshaw, 72, remembered that the police on that day looked "obviously offensive" rather than rude.
It was a whole new era, said 72-year-old Nettie Pollard. "The idea that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people should actually be open about themselves, not hide themselves."
London's Pride March this year With 30,000 registered participants and thousands of people on the street, it has grown to become the largest free one-day event in the country.
This year's pride organizers commemorate Torchbearer 50 years ago and say they highlight the challenges that the community still faces domestically and globally.
More than just a party
Veteran activist Peter Tatchell, who marched that day in 1972, said pride was over-commercialized and commercialized in recent years. Said he felt. He will attend another event.
"It's basically a big party now, and the party is okay, but there's still an unfinished business, and our community is still fighting and fighting to win. , We also need to protest. "
For example, Tatchell said he wants transgender people to simplify the process of changing legal personality.
Some veteran activists have thought about the vulnerabilities in the rights they have acquired.
"The world can certainly be transformed and robbed overnight, as seen in Russia and elsewhere very sadly, and irreversible freedom. No, "Watney said.
The Lebanese doctor Javad (27), who gave only his name, was the first in London this summer because he himself was the target of hatred on both sides. Lebanon and Russia said they would march on a pride.
"I was about to be arrested by some Lebanese militias for being gay, so I felt dangerous there and couldn't live freely as a gay man. So I had to leave, "he said.
"I can't really be there without hiding for the rest of my life."
Javad is a former march who paved the way for future generations. Said thank you.
"For many, it may just be a march, but for me it makes more sense. It means that I can safely walk the place and talk about my problems. It means you can. Talk about my rights and accept my sexuality and orientation. "(Report by Lucy Marks, Written by Alexandra Hudson, Edited by Rosalba O'Brien)
