Making Space for Love at Pride London 2026
By Peppy Meunier-Brock
It was a hugely joyful day. Forty-two of us met in Curzon Street, with plenty of room to mingle, introduce ourselves to those we didn’t know and hug those we did. We were an eclectic mix of young and old, veterans who had first marched in 1978 and newbies like me. Flags, face paint and bracelets were distributed as we chatted in the sunshine. The Dean Mark Oakley and the Sub Dean Michael Rawson quietly moving amongst us and greeting one and all.
At 11.00 we moved forward to entry point 1 to line up in our parade position in Section B, position 8. After nearly 2 hours of waiting came the shout that we were moving. There was palpable relief as we walked towards the crowd lined streets. Mark on the left with the Southwark Cathedral Placard, the large banner held high between them and Michael setting the pace on the right. Just under the banner at the front were Sr Sophia Rose nCSF and Sr Mary Clare nCSF, Sr Sophia brandishing a colourfully striped umbrella.
Amongst us were a total of around 10 collared clergy both from the Cathedral and the wider Diocese. Father Simon Asquith stole the show with his multi-coloured dream coat, ready to perform as Joseph next week in his own parish, practising his moves at Pride to the pleasure of all around him. We reached the start of the parade, and a shout went up from the crowd.
Southwark Cathedral stickers were distributed to enthusiastic outstretched arms, to shouts of ‘Happy Pride’ and clapping. High fives were plentiful, as were whistles, clap fans, shouts, and smiles. Caught up in the cheering of the crowd I looked up at people’s eager faces as our sticky fingers met, transferring stickers. I sensed a huge desire to be acknowledged, seen and accepted in the eyes of many of the people lining the pavement. There were children, young people, parents, the elderly, those in wheelchairs, all eager to join in the fun but also to feel the love.
In one moment, I glimpsed a young teenager raise and then lower a handwritten banner which said, ‘I don’t know where I’m going but I know I’m gay’. As she retreated into the crowd, I instinctively reached out my hand to her and shouted, ‘You are going far!’ She met my gaze, accepted my high five and smiled shyly.
As we reached Piccadilly Circus an announcer was booming out the names on the banners as they passed. I heard him say ‘What wonderful priests, had they been like that in my day I might still be in the church!’ We moved on to loud cheers. The parade ended near the Embankment. After a quick group photograph, we peeled off for a welcome cold drink at The Ship and Shovell. What a glorious day!