Hackney Pride march

Hackney will host its very own Pride march on Saturday 4 September – the first event of its kind in over 15 years.

The march, which will start at 2pm outside Hackney Town Hall and end up at St Leonard’s Church in Shoreditch, has been organised by a voluntary grassroots group in response to the rise of homophobic and transphobic attacks in the borough.

“It started when two good friends of mine were verbally abused and kicked on Kingsland Road earlier this year,” said organiser Simon Leahy. Another of Simon’s friends was left disabled after being seriously attacked near the George and Dragon pub on Hackney Road.

“Many people said how great it would be to have a pride event in Hackney, so a community group was formed to organise a march,” he said.

“We want the event to be inclusive and show the unity of all communities in Hackney against not only homophobic and transphobic attacks, but all hate crime and intolerance.

“We want the march to become a touch point and a platform for all the LGBT and queer community groups and charities in the borough, as well as organisations who support LGBT, queer and human rights. We want to encourage all of these groups to share information and be visible at the march.

“Alongside the community focus of Hackney Pride March is the increased de-politicisation and commercialisation of ‘pride’ events globally, and for this reason we have set out to create a non-commercial event. No money, sponsorship or promotion will be received by any commercial businesses through Hackney Pride March.”

Hackney Pride March
Saturday 4 September
2pm
Start point: In front of Hackney Central Library, just next to Hackney Town Hall