Waltham Forest (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Walthamstow’s second-ever Trans Pride was hailed a “resounding success,” celebrating LGBTIQ+ identity and community pride across Waltham Forest.
The artist Tom Rasmussen was part of the crowded lineup at Waltham Forest Trades Hall on Saturday, October 18, which also included a variety of drag and roadhouse acts, Anchorpeople, and community merchandisers.
The “growing demand” for original and grassroots pride events like this bone
was apparent, according to the organizers, since tickets vended out in record time and there was a waiting list of” over 100 people.”
The Outside design, the first LGBTQ sanctum and community center in the UK that offers homeless people life-saving backing, was the devisee of the event.
As the LGBTQ community and the larger Walthamstow community united in solidarity to” celebrate, repel, and show that E17 stands loud,” the event raised thousands of pounds and was praised by its organizers as a” resounding success.”
Walthamstow Trans Pride said:
“We are living through the most hostile climate for trans people in recent memory. From attacks on our healthcare to laws restricting our freedoms, we see the impact every day.
Trans Pride Walthamstow is about taking space, loudly and unapologetically, but it’s also about solidarity. Our fight is bound up with the struggles of sex workers, migrants, people of colour, and all communities facing state violence. Pride means standing together.”
Actress and performer Mzz Kimberley said:
“I’m thrilled to have shared the stage with my community at Walthamstow Pride 2025. In a time of rising hostility and division, it’s more vital than ever to gather in joy, solidarity, and unapologetic celebration. Pride is not just a party, it’s a political act of love.
We must make the conscious decision to extend respect across every inch of our community, even to those we may not know personally. Our strength lies in our resilience. We have always found ways to create joy under pressure, to turn pain into power, and to stand proud in the face of adversity.
As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ‘This speaks to the power of self-respect and standing in one’s truth – a quiet but fierce pride in one’s humanity. It’s a reminder that dignity is not granted by others; it’s claimed by us’. That truth echoes through our movement today.”
With a raffle full of prizes, similar as tickets to Tom Rasmussen’s live performance at Union Tabernacle, tickets for near shops, and particulars from Mzz Kimberley’s exclusive wardrobe, Walthamstow Trans Pride continues to earn money for The Outside design and maintain the event’s sustainability.
What measures were taken to ensure accessibility and safety for all participants?
Walthamstow Trans Pride 2025 took several measures to insure availability and safety for all actors. Accessible venue choice like Walthamstow Trades Hall with ramps and installations biddable with disability access. Clear signage and information to guide attendees.
Presence of trained levies and security labor force sensitive to the requirements of transgender and nonbinary actors. Creation of safe spaces for people with sensitive, mobility, or other availability requirements. Addition of different voices, especially from marginalized groups similar as impaired, BIPOC, and youth within the trans community.
Emphasis on community- led safety frameworks that minimize heavy policing or surveillance to reduce anxiety or profiling pitfalls. Communication of safety and availability information before and during the event. Organizers and actors praised the event’s atmosphere as inclusive and affirming, reflecting similar measures were effectively enforced to produce a welcoming and secure terrain.