Transport for London (TfL) will raise the rainbow flag today, June 28, on its famous Tube Head Office building, 55 Broadway, above St James’ Park Tube station to mark this year’s London Pride Festival celebrations.
This will be the first time in London Underground’s 150 year history that the flag, which symbolises diversity and inclusiveness, has been flown from a TfL building and acknowledges TfL’s strong commitment to its Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) staff and customers as well as the London Pride Festival.
Mike Brown MVO, Managing Director London Underground and Rail, said:
“This is an excellent initiative by our LGBT Network and one that has my wholehearted support. We are proud to fly the flag for the LGBT community during Pride week and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to our staff and customers.”
TfL continues to work closely with London LGBT+ Community Pride who organise the London Pride celebrations, which take place this Saturday, June 29, to ensure the event is a success.
TfL’s volunteer Travel Ambassadors, who helped keep London moving during the London 2012 Olympic Games, will be available at the busiest stations and interchanges to ensure visitors can move around the capital and make the most of the celebrations. The Travel Ambassadors will be based at Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus, Baker Street, Leicester Square, Charing Cross and Bond Street stations.
Michael Salter, Chair of London LGBT+ Community Pride, said:
“TfL has been hugely important to the success of Pride in London this year. It has been great to work with TfL’s LGBT Network to both stage accessible volunteer training and to incorporate the TfL Travel Ambassadors into our plans for Pride Day. The marvellous Ambassadors will be joining us for the first time this year and will help deliver a day that is safe and enjoyable. We are looking forward to building a strong relationship with TfL in the coming years as we build Pride.”
Martyn Loukes, Chair of Transport for London’s LGBT Network, said:
“We’ve been working with the organisers since January to ensure that this year’s London Pride Festival was given as much support from us as possible. As well as providing Travel Ambassadors, we have also provided training facilities for their 1,000 plus volunteering workforce, and I am looking forward to a successful Pride event.”
One hundred people including TfL staff, their partners, family and friends, will be leading the second part of the parade with an iconic open top bus and walking party.
A large number of other exciting events and concerts will be taking place across the capital this weekend, including late finishing concerts at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, the O2 and Wembley and Wimbledon for the Tennis Championships.
Londoners and visitors to the capital are advised to plan their journeys this Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June by visiting beta.tfl.gov.uk
You must be logged in to post a comment.