Pride in Lambeth – Love LambethLove Lambeth

Cllr Claire Holland, Leader of Lambeth Council, welcomed 150 guests from Lambeth’s LGBTQ+ community to the Council’s second official Pride Reception.

Word from the Leader of Lambeth Council

“It’s really fitting that we’re here. This Assembly Hall is where the Gay Liberation Front held fundraising discos in the 1970s, establishing Pride in London and the UK. Tonight we reaffirm our commitment to bringing Pride back to Lambeth.

“As a Council, we have a duty to advocate for our communities. This week we make a formal commitment to support the new government’s five-year transformation plan for LGBTQ+ rights.

“Thank you to all the activists and allies in the room for what you have done for all of us – the fight against injustice, intolerance, hatred and ignorance. Our 2030 Borough Plan includes our mission to be ‘a place we can all call home’ and it’s no coincidence that Lambeth is home to the largest LGBTQ+ community in London. Your work makes people feel like it’s a safe place.”

Pride in the future

Lambeth’s acting chief executive, Fiona Connolly, said: “Lambeth is proud to host ‘Do it London’, the HIV prevention program with a target of 0% new infections by 2030. To have a program that teaches surgery to provide personalized care for LGBTQ+ patients. . To be at home in the safe, affirming space that is the first LGBTQ+ retirement community. I’m proud to have a place in the Top 100 LGBTQ+ Employers including Stonewall and to work with LGBT Hero to create safer spaces.

“As a council committed to equity and justice, Lambeth is committed to the Pride agenda. But we need the community to drive us towards what Lambeth Pride should be. We need people who are not afraid of challenges. Please come along to our meeting on 17th September to discuss Lambeth Pride – we need you to be part of it.”

More information

Community guests included:

• Hero LGBT – health charity training businesses in Lambeth who want to create welcoming spaces.
• Tonic Housing, operators of London’s first LGBTQ+ housing and care scheme.
• Metro – charity working in partnership with Lambeth to deliver health, community and youth services.
• No To Hate Crime, raising awareness of the 17-24-30 campaign in memory of the homophobic and racist nail bomb attacks in Soho, Brick Lane and Lambeth and their annual HOPE campaign focusing on hate crime, operational response , prevention and engagement.
• London Gay Men’s Chorus entertain with classics from Baccara, Diana Ross, Erasure and Meghan Trainor.