When is gay pride 2017 london

Parade organizers hailed this year's march as "the biggest and most colorful Pride in London yet. The heart of the UK capital was decorated with rainbow flags and colorful balloons, as around 25, revelers on Saturday marched down Oxford Street and Regent Street, London's most popular shopping areas.

Hundreds of thousands more were expected to continue partying into the early hours of the night in London's Soho district. Read more: Soho's gay history revealed in new tours. By sunset, the UK Parliament's Palace of Westminster will also be illuminated with a rainbow flag for the very first time to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the UK Sexual Offences Act, which decriminalized homosexuality.

Pride organizers said they wanted the city's 45th annual parade to send "a global message of hope, acceptance, activism and love British Olympic diver Tom Daley, who married his long-term boyfriend earlier this year, was among the high-profile names taking part at this year's march.

Read more: Istanbul police fire rubber bullets, tear gas to keep gay pride marchers off the street. While celebrating the occasion, Norman Fowler, speaker of the upper House of Lords, also offered a somber note, pointing out that "homosexuality is still illegal in over 70 countries around the world.

London Pride parade marks major milestone

The British Parliament approved the Sexual Offences Act on July 27,which decriminalized homosexual acts in private between two men aged at least It came into force on March 13,with the first same-sex marriages taking place on March 29, In Scotland, legislation was passed by the regional parliament in Edinburgh in February The law came into effect on December 16 that year, with the first same-sex marriage ceremonies taking place that very day.

By comparison, Germany legalized gay marriage just last week, making it one of the last western European countries to pass such legislation. Latest videos Latest audio. In focus. Latest audio Latest videos. Read more: Soho's gay history revealed in new tours By sunset, the UK Parliament's Palace of Westminster will also be illuminated with a rainbow flag for the very first time to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the UK Sexual Offences Act, which decriminalized homosexuality.

Read more: Istanbul police fire rubber bullets, tear gas to keep gay pride marchers off the street While celebrating the occasion, Norman Fowler, speaker of the upper House of Lords, also offered a somber note, pointing out that "homosexuality is still illegal in over 70 countries around the world.

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