At Pride in London 2025, love took centre stage when gay influencers and married couple Nick Toteda (@nicktoteda) and Anthony Cushion (@antcfitness) shared a powerful kiss directly in front of anti-LGBTQ+ protesters, making a vibrant statement for equality and visibility.
The couple posted a video of the moment on Instagram with the caption: “Spreading the love to our haters.” In the clip, the pair are seen running hand-in-hand through the crowd before Nick leaps into Anthony’s arms, locking in a passionate kiss while anti-LGBTQ+ protesters chant about Jesus being the saviour in the background.
Spectators surrounding the scene erupted in cheers, celebrating the spontaneous, defiant expression of love.
Speaking to PinkNews, Anthony explained their motivation: “We kissed in front of the protestors at Pride to show that love and authenticity will always outshine hate. In the face of judgment, it’s even more important to stand tall, be ourselves, and show up proudly for our community.”
He continued: “We’re big believers in peaceful, meaningful expression… no aggression, just kindness, confidence, and love. Some said our kiss was aggravating, but we shared that same moment in many other places throughout the parade. The only difference was who chose to stand in front of it. If someone finds love offensive, that says more about them than it does about us.”
Nick and Anthony are no strangers to using their platforms to advocate for queer joy and connection. Frequently posting about their relationship online, the couple’s pre-Pride message summed up their bond with humour and honesty: “When we’re together, our 100 problems go to zero.”
Their kiss — and its bold location — struck a chord across social media, with thousands praising the pair for standing up to hate with compassion and strength.
One commenter summed it up: “Like the world isn’t awful enough and so they decide to protest against a bit of extra love?” Another added, “Jesus taught love ur neighbour.” A third joked, “I just don’t understand what they are protesting 😂😂😂 they just need to stop being so obsessed with us.”
Pride in London 2025 drew tens of thousands of attendees, with this year’s theme “Volunqueer” honouring the vital role of volunteerism in the LGBTQ+ community. The campaign spotlighted those who dedicate time, skills, and resources to LGBTQ+ causes, and celebrated unsung heroes making selfless contributions to the community.
