London Trans Pride 2025 drew tens of thousands of people to the streets today (26 July), as marchers from across the UK gathered in the capital to demand trans liberation and protest ongoing discrimination.
Despite cloudy skies, the crowds—many waving trans flags and holding pro-rights placards—marched from Langham Place to Parliament Square, sending a strong message to both the public and politicians.
Protesters called out institutional transphobia, including policy setbacks under the current Labour government led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, whom they accused of rolling back trans rights.
Demonstrators also showed solidarity with Palestine, with many waving Palestinian flags amid the crowd, in response to ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Trans Icons Return, Activists Decry Legal Setbacks
Among those attending were several prominent community figures including Heartstopper star Yasmin Finney, Married at First Sight UK’s Ella Morgan, activist Caroline Litman, Brighton Trans Pride co-founder Fox Fisher, and Trans Solidarity Alliance founder Jude Guaitamacchi.
Speaking to PinkNews, Guaitamacchi described the mood as uplifting yet heavy:
“There’s never been more of a need for London Trans Pride because Pride has always been a protest and, right now, we are protesting for our human rights that have been stripped away.”
A major focus of criticism was the UK Supreme Court’s April ruling which interpreted the 2010 Equality Act’s definition of sex as referring to biological sex. This decision prompted the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to issue interim guidance that effectively encouraged exclusion of trans people from spaces aligned with their gender identity—even, in some cases, from those matching their birth sex.
Guaitamacchi urged action:
“Parliament has the power to stop this from happening and so we need to encourage politicians, our MPs, to do that.”
“Shutting Down Westminster Sends a Message”
Mx Adam Khan, operations co-ordinator for London Trans Pride, said mass mobilisation was a critical tool for challenging harmful policies:
“We need a multi-pronged approach to get the systemic change that we want to see, but I would say having tens of thousands, potentially hundreds of thousands of people, shutting down the streets of Westminster definitely sends the message to anyone in power.”
Youth Activism Gains Ground
Grassroots youth movement Trans Kids Deserve Better also made their presence known. The group has made headlines for their bold direct action tactics, including occupying government buildings and spray-painting NHS headquarters to highlight transphobic policies.
One anonymous spokesperson said:
“Yes, [direct action is vital] very much so, especially in the face of increasing government opposition. I mean, we’ve seen it recently with the RHSE guidance.”
Their creative, “whimsical” forms of protest aim to deliver serious messages about the discrimination trans youth face, especially in areas like education and healthcare.
