With the largest LGBTQ+ population in London and a proud history of LGBTQ+ campaigning and social activism, we are committed to being a borough of equity and justice, as set out in Our Future, Our Lambeth 2030, and to celebrate our diversity and inclusivity.
Earlier this month, the ‘Share Your Pride’ exhibition, led by the wonderful Lambeth Links, launched at the Lambeth Archives, celebrating the borough’s legacy of hosting Pride events, which ran almost continuously from 1985 to 1997.
As a Council, we are incredibly proud of this legacy. While some parts of the country were stirring up damaging legislation, in 1986, Lambeth elected the country’s first ever Trans Councillor, Rachael Webb, and Black Lesbian leader, Linda Bellos.
It is clear from the exhibition how valued these Prides were and how the LGBTQ+ community found a home here in Lambeth. That is still felt in 2025 with Europe’s best and most inclusive LGBTQ+ festival, Mighty Hoopla, which welcomes over 30,000 in Brockwell Park.
To mark Pride weekend, Lambeth Council will fly the Progress Flag from the Town Hall, a visual representation to all of the LGBTQ+ community that you are welcome and celebrated in our borough. Once again, we will be proudly walking in Pride in London this weekend under the banner of trans solidarity.
We acknowledge the Supreme Court’s Judgement regarding the Equality Act 2010, which ruled that the legal term “woman” refers to biological sex under the Act. It is important to note that the judgement does not change the legal protections against discrimination and harassment that trans people have under the Equality Act 2010. The judges specifically noted that the ruling should not be seen or interpreted as one group triumphing over another.
However, we recognise that the recent Supreme Court Ruling has caused understandable anxiety for the trans and non-binary community in Lambeth.
The government has responded to the case by making clear that the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) will be setting out additional guidance and a code of practice for public bodies. We await that guidance so we can consider any implications for council services.
We need to ensure that how the judgement and any guidance is implemented is done in a way that enables trans people to live their day to day lives with dignity and without fear of discrimination.
Lambeth Council will continue to work together with our community to strengthen our diversity and cohesion as a borough and ensure we are a council where everyone feels confident in safe and equal access to services.
We wish everyone a safe and happy Pride weekend.
