This is your Pride.

​This weekend was Pride in London – our annual display of celebration, of protest, of marching for our rights and LGBT+ communities’ visibility. But that was tainted by the hatred which eight individuals managed to incite by hijacking the parade with their anti-trans agenda forcing difficult decisions on this, our day, the day of LGBT+ people in London.

Whilst it makes me sad that militant trans-exclusionary radical feminists (TERFs) felt the need to actively disrupt an event which had trans people at the forefront of all it has done this year, along with members of other communities across the LGBT+ spectrum, I’m proud of the 30,000 strong parade who showed that love conquers hate, and that Pride in London belongs firmly to the trans community, as it does to all who identify on the LGBT+ spectrum.

In all honesty, I had wanted to write about some of my own stories, like that of my brother and his girlfriend who attended their first Pride this year as allies to the community, after seeing the amount of time I had given to play such a small part in organising Saturday.

Or I was to write about my mum who came out a few years back, but this year got married to her female partner, and also wanted to celebrate her recently-found identity.

There are thousands of stories which could not have happened on Saturday without both the core team of volunteers who work tirelessly all year round, and the hundreds of volunteer stewards who come out each year to help ensure everyone’s safety across the West End. As much as we’re all hurting because of this weekend, it’s incredible that it’s a team of volunteers who put on this amazing day – without them, our community would not have the platform which Pride in London allows. Thank you to you all.

The progression of the rights of people who identify as trans are the focus of all Pride in London stands for. This year groups that represent the trans community, such as FTM London, Transpire and TransPALS, were at the front of the parade. This is Trans Pride as much as it’s anyone else’s.

To everyone who is criticising Pride in London and who is angry: your criticism is welcome, your anger is understood and it’s received with love.

It’s easy to be defensive when months of planning is taken over by a group who have no right to be there. But Pride will listen, after all, as Pride’s co-chair Ali Camps said; “Pride belongs to everyone and no-one.”

No media reported on the swift action of our lesbian directors to plead with the protestors to end their hijacking, showing their pure anger at the hateful message the TERFs were sharing. No media reported on the frustration of Pride being held to ransom by a group who had (and have) no place at Pride.

At the end of all of this, Pride is a collaboration of members of LGBT+ communities across London coming together to celebrate, to protest and to march for our rights. This weekend was difficult for members of the trans community and everyone else in the LGBT+ family, the fight is not over. As the closing line on this year’s Pride in London advert said; “We’ve come a long way, but there is still a way to go.” Never has this felt more true.

I hope that if you are trans (or anyone else in our community for that matter) and angry about the weekend, that you direct that anger to those who sought to divide the LGBT+ community – TERFs. Any group which seeks to diminish the rights of any member of our community is not welcome at Pride. I hope that if you’re angry about the weekend, you channel your emotion in helping Pride. You are welcome here, you are loved, this is your Pride.

Pride Matters.