The London 2012 Useful Information Guide to…

Gay & Lesbian London in the summer of 2012 – WorldPride!

London is going to be big in 2012. As well as the Olympics, the Paralympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, did you know that in 2012 London will also be hosting WorldPride, the world’s largest gay festival?

The two-week festival, which is to take place from 23 June to 8 July, with the main parade taking place on 7 July the anniversary of the bombings which killed 52 people in 2005, is expected to attract a million extra visitors to London.

Which is why it’s worth planning NOW if you want to be here to enjoy the party!

There are about 100,000 hotel rooms in London, so you’re going to have to be quick, smart and lucky to grab yourself one of them.

However, there are some pretty decent alternatives available, and you’ll be able to explore all the options right here on this site.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "I'm absolutely thrilled that London has won the right to host WorldPride in 2012.

“London has one of the largest and most diverse LGBT [Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender] communities on the planet and it is a fantastic opportunity to inspire cities across the globe. In an Olympic year, the eyes of the world will already be on London and the city will give an enormous welcome to LGBT people, their friends and families, for what we want to be the most colourful and exciting World Pride festival yet."

Furthermore, the 2012 Olympics are set to make history as the first gender equality Games. Sport England has welcomed the IOC’s recommendation that women’s boxing should be part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games programme. This means that London 2012 will make history as the first Games to have representation by men and women in every sport.

Other pages you might be interested in:

The London 2012 UIG guide to London Accommodation

20 Things in London You Must Not Miss

Things to do in London

Transport in London and Getting Around