London Trans+ Pride 2025 Breaks Records Amid Rising Anti-Trans Rulings
Over 100,000 individuals occupied the streets of central London on Saturday for Trans+ Pride 2025. It also became the largest of its kind in the world. The "existence and resistance" themed march was an impressive response to the increasing number of anti-trans laws and legal decisions throughout the UK.
Demonstrators marched past famous landmarks such as Regent's Street, Piccadilly, and Trafalgar Square, culminating in Parliament Square. The demonstration brought to the fore increasing outrage over the UK Supreme Court's April decision defining "woman" along biological sex lines and backlash against draft guidance that would severely limit trans access to public venues.
London Trans+ Pride has continuously grown since its start, but this year broke all records. Organisers confirmed that over 100,000 people attended the march — a massive increase compared to the 60,000 attendance in 2024.
Actress Yasmin Finney, who has appeared in Heartstopper and Doctor Who, was one of the speakers at Parliament Square. Her involvement reinforced the demand for trans visibility and rights in response to legal and institutional attacks.
The event's slogan was a direct reaction to the UK Supreme Court's April contentious decision. The decision redrew the legal definition of "woman" on biological sex alone. Trans rights advocates view this as a catastrophic rollback of identification and protection.
Lewis G Burton, co-founder of London Trans+ Pride, described the march as both poignant and overwhelming. He accused the court of making blanket assumptions without reference to the trans population. "You can try to strip us of our rights," he stated, "but you can never remove us from society."
Alex Parmar-Yee, representing the Trans+ Solidarity Alliance, expressed firm opposition to the Equality and Human Rights Commission's interim guidance. She claimed that the policy is not clear and has the potential for tragic outcomes for trans individuals.
The process has left out trans voices, she claimed. "This guidance will go through behind closed doors, with no scrutiny, visibility, or democracy," she warned.
Parmar-Yee also condemned inflammatory speech in politics and the media. She attributed it to dangerous proposals, like a supposed bathroom ban. "That's something Donald Trump would be proud of," she responded. The Alliance is now calling for full openness in policy-making.
Throughout Europe, the London march was followed by such celebrations. In Berlin, thousands of people danced to techno music at the traditional Pride parade. The parade route travelled through such main cultural centres as the Brandenburg Gate and Nollendorfplatz. A small right-wing protest was foiled by police. Six individuals were arrested for weapons and explosives offences and for showing anti-constitutional symbols.
Meanwhile, Amsterdam Pride began with a political march under the theme “love.” Thousands walked through the Dutch capital. Activists stressed the need to defend LGBTQI+ rights worldwide. Ben Thomas, a teacher of young refugees, said, “We’re not just here to party, but to be equal citizens.”
London Trans+ Pride 2025 dispatched a stark message — trans lives matter. Organisers, speakers, and marchers united together against legal, political, and social erasure. In an atmosphere of escalating aggression, they opted for resistance, visibility, and joy.
Their message was straightforward but potent: "We are part of humanity, and the public will not stand by as harm is inflicted on our community."
