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Mayor Boris London is set to lead London's Gay Pride parade celebrations tomorrow. The Mayor last led the celebration of the capitals gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community in 2008. There were concerns the Mayor was distancing himself from the LGBT scene after cancelling the annual Pride parade and replacing it with a "reception". While Johnson will not be able to attend the main speeches his Transport adviser Kulveer Ranger will be on stage at Trafalgar Square. Over a million people are expected to turn out for the UK's biggest LGBT event and also mark 40 years since the founding of the Gay Liberation Front. The capitals parade has led to similar prides in Brighton, Blackpool and Brighton - the parade begins at Wigmore Street at 1pm. After there will be the regular street party in Soho Square and the official late-night Liberation part at Koko in Mornington Crescent. Mr Johnson said in a statement: "This weekend, the streets of London will be thronged with people from all walks of life taking part in one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. I am pleased to support our city's Pride celebrations and proud of London's reputation as a place where you can be yourself. From poet laureates to politicians and pop stars to rugby players, there's an increasing confidence to be open about your sexuality. Nowhere is this more evident than in London, which is home to one of the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual communities in the world. Everybody has the right to live their life as they wish, free from persecution and abuse, and my office is working with the community, the police and other partners to ensure that irrespective of your sexuality all Londoners are able to participate fully in the life of the capital." Other politicians appearing at the event will be gay Tory minister Nick Herbert and Liberal Democrat equality minister Lynne Featherstone - heavily pregnant Samantha Cameron, is not expected to attend. Photo - pridelondon
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