Sarah Brown joins gay and lesbian Pride march in London
Prime Minister's wife marches with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups as activist Peter Tatchell calls on her husband to legalise gay marriage
4 July 2009
CENTRAL London was brought to a near-standstill today as the Pride march for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people put on its annual flamboyant display.
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Sarah Brown, the Prime Minister’s wife, was among the marchers, wearing a black outfit enlivened with colourful necklaces.
She was among the first group of marchers who were cheered on as they walked along Oxford Street, followed by drag queens in huge blonde wigs and Union Jack outfits.
A light shower of rain, which fell before the parade started, cleared up by the time the march left Baker Street.
Brown looked relaxed but subdued as the parade reached Regent Street. She carried a pink, red and white version of the Union Flag.
Pride founder and prominent gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell had said he planned to ask Brown to speak to her husband Gordon about allowing same-sex couples to marry in the same way as heterosexual partners.
"Gordon and Sarah can marry, gays can't. End the ban on gay marriage"
Tatchell said civil partnerships, introduced under Labour, were "a form of sexual apartheid". He marched with a sign saying: "Gordon and Sarah can marry, gays can't. End the ban on gay marriage."
Thousands of people lined the route of the parade, some dressed as flamboyantly as the participants.
One group in Regent Street wore rubber suits and masks decorated with ropes.
A drag queen, wearing a dress made from plastic sheeting and used drink cans, also caused a stir – and lots of noise – when she walked past.
Comic Rhona Cameron, one of the festival's patrons, led the parade.
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