Thousands enjoy the largest Pride the city has ever seen

Thousands of people from across the Portsmouth LGBTQ+ community and their allies have come together for the largest Pride celebrations and protest the city has ever seen. 

Crowds of people marched from Speakers Corner on Southsea Esplanade, with more than 20,000 people [yet to be verified] enjoying good food, the Love is Love Southsea Market, a fairground and performers in the spotlight. 

Tally Aslam, the Chair of Portsmouth Pride, said: "It's amazing to see so many people at Portsmouth Pride this year and one of the reasons we want to keep it free and un-fenced is to see so many people of all ages come together. 

"It's extremely humbling to be where we are today. When I look at where we came from, when we had five volunteers to now, where we had so many people up on stage, it's encouraging to see everyone volunteering and giving back out the goodness of their heart." 

Stephen Morgan MP, who serves constituents of the South of Portsmouth, said: "It's absolutely fantastic to be at Portsmouth Pride. This is a celebration that has gone from strength to strength over the years.

"It doesn't matter where you are from, what you look like or who you love, everyone should be celebrated in society and that's why events like today - to bring people together - is so important for our city.

"Growing up in Portsmouth, I would have loved to have had an opportunity like this to grow confidence and resilience in myself and my own personality, it's so great that opportunity is now available for people in our city."

Penny Mordaunt MP, from Portsmouth North, said: "I'm having a wonderful time at Portsmouth Pride. It's great to be here to support them. 

"I believe that any MP, whatever party you represent, your job is to make sure that everyone can reach their full potential. And how can you do that if you can't be yourself, that's why events like this are really important, but they are also important to shine a spotlight on the things we need to do. They are a celebration of everything that people have achieved together, but we know that there is a lot more to do. There is more to do in the UK, but there is also more to do around the world as well."

The Portsmouth Pride main day event will next take place on Saturday 6th July, 2024.