5th July 2025

On Saturday 5 July, thirty people from the Hestia LGBTQ+ Network, wider team, friends and family walked in the Pride in London Parade. Despite the rain, it didn't dampen their spirits. We're so proud of those who came to participate! 

One attendee, Neelima said:

"[It was] a day bursting with colour, joy, and solidarity. Walking through the heart of London alongside thousands of voices, I felt proud to stand for inclusion, visibility, and allyship for Hestia. It was about standing shoulder to shoulder with the LGBTQ+ community and reaffirming our commitment to inclusion, both within Hestia and beyond."

Pride in London is a volunteer-led LGTBQ+ organisation that aims to unite voices, amplify diversity and protest against inequality.

Group shot of Hestia team at Pride in London parade

Tia

Another attendee said:

"Pride was such a joyful and uplifting day - it was incredible to see colleagues from across the Hestia family come together in celebration. Walking the parade alongside people from so many different communities and backgrounds was truly moving. I feel incredibly privileged to be part of an organisation that not only celebrates diversity, but actively honours and champions the hard-won civil rights that protect us all."

From left clockwise: Gayle, Sandra, Pat, Neelima

From left to right: Pat, Georgina and Jane

Angela and Chris

Hestia's Director of Development, Gayle said:

“Walking in Pride again in 2025 after a hiatus since before covid, I was delighted to spend the day with an incredible group of Network members, wider colleagues and friends and family. We came together as diverse people but found lots of similarities between us. Every time we stumbled upon a challenge on the day, often related to the noise and sheer number of people, we resolved these together, proving that together we are stronger."

Our LGBTQ+ Network brings together people from across the organisation to support colleagues and service users who identify as LGBTQ+. We also encourage LGBTQ+ Allies to be part of the wider Network.

Alongside Hestia’s other networks, and with intersectionality at its core, the LGBTQ+ Network promotes and organises internal and external event to celebrate dates like LGBTQ+ History Month, Trans Day of Visibility, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, and LGBTQ+ Pride.  

Find out more