GenQ - For the not so straight individual

Organisers of this weekend's EuroPride Day in London are hailing the EuroPride 06 festival as a huge success story.

As temperatures rocketed above 30 degrees on Saturday, the streets of London saw thousands gather to witness the biggest and best Pride parade the capital has ever seen.

A carnival atmosphere greeted the colourful collection of floats and performers as it passed down Oxford Street and Regent Street for the first time in its history.

An estimated crowd of 600,000 people joined the EuroPride celebrations on Saturday for the parade, the Trafalgar Square rally, and the all-day street party in Soho.

Hollywood actor Ian McKellen, Coronation Street's Anthony Cotton and politicians from all parties joined the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone at the front of the parade which also included the Royal Navy in uniform for the first time, the Metropolitan Police and the Royal Air Force.

The finale of the festival took place last night with a stunning variety show at the Royal Albert Hall compered by Stephen Fry which included
performances from Sir Elton John, Boy George, Alan Carr, and Ian McKellen as Widow Twankey.

EuroPride Chief Executive Jason Pollock said,

"This was without doubt the most spectacular Pride festival London has ever seen. The record-breaking parade on Saturday and the thrilling show at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday, made it the perfect Pride weekend that exceeded all expectations.

"London yet again demonstrated that it is the most inclusive and tolerant city in the world, and proved that the Pride weekend is a major part of the capital's social calendar every summer for everyone to enjoy."