Regent Street, one of London’s most iconic shopping streets, has once again been transformed with the return of its Intersex-Inclusive Pride flags ahead of Pride weekend.
Now in their fifth consecutive year, the colourful display stretches across the famous West End destination and will remain in place until 9 July, creating a vibrant backdrop as thousands visit central London to celebrate Pride.
Designed by intersex equality campaigner, writer, artist and diversity speaker Valentino Vecchietti, the Intersex-Inclusive Pride flag represents people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). It also honours Black, Brown and Indigenous communities, as well as those affected by HIV/AIDS. Recognised as the global Pride flag, the current design brings together elements from previous Pride flag iterations, reflecting the diversity and evolution of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Karen Baines, Marketing Director at The Crown Estate, said: “We are committed to fostering inclusive communities, where people feel respected, valued and able to be themselves. For this reason, we have flown the Intersex-Inclusive Pride flags since 2022, as a symbol of our support for the LGBTQIA+ community, and I’m proud to say that this is our fifth year of doing so.”
Alongside Regent Street’s annual display, businesses across Soho and the West End are marking Pride with charity initiatives, free pop-ups and special events.
Pride in London Returns This Saturday
Pride in London returns on Saturday 4 July, bringing together LGBTQIA+ communities and allies for one of the UK’s largest celebrations of visibility, unity and equality.
According to the organisers, the parade will feature more than 35,000 marchers from over 600 groups, travelling through central London from Hyde Park Corner, along Piccadilly, through Piccadilly Circus and Haymarket, before finishing at Whitehall. Beyond the parade, the city will come alive with free entertainment across multiple stages, including Trafalgar Square, Golden Square, Leicester Square, Dean Street, Soho Square and Victoria Embankment Gardens. Last year’s event attracted 1.7 million spectators, making it one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world.
A New Safe Space Opens in Soho
Launching for the first time this weekend, It’s Girl Powder is opening a free pop-up at 19 D’Arblay Street from 3-5 July.
Described as London’s first nightlife beauty safe space, the venue will be open daily from 12pm until 5am, offering professional makeup touch-up stations, hair styling tools, fast phone charging, a changing area, complimentary prosecco and on-site security.
Created with women’s safety at its heart, the space has been designed as somewhere to recharge, regroup and reconnect with friends during one of Soho’s busiest weekends.
Coffee with a Cause at Roasting Plant
Throughout July, Roasting Plant Coffee is serving a limited-edition Pride Blend, with 25% of every cup sold donated to LGBTQIA+ charity Stonewall.
The blend combines coffees from Ethiopia and Indonesia, with 50% sourced from women coffee producers, offering tasting notes of jasmine, allspice, caramel and dark chocolate.
Visitors can also claim a free cup while stocks last. Until 5 July, the first 100 customers at participating London stores who say “Proudly Just-Roasted” at the counter will receive a complimentary Pride Blend coffee.
Pride Parties Continue Into the Night
If you’re staying out after the daytime celebrations, several venues are keeping the party going. THIRST Soho on Greek Street will be celebrating Pride with cocktails, music and late-night festivities.
Meanwhile, All Bar One venues in Charing Cross, Covent Garden and Leicester Square will host live DJs, glitter artists, limited-edition cocktails and performances from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Just May throughout Saturday.
Whether you’re heading into the West End to celebrate Pride or simply enjoying a day in central London, Soho and the West End are once again ready to welcome one of the biggest and brightest weekends in London’s calendar.
Happy Pride!
Written by the My Soho Times Lifestyle Team
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