Under our Umbrella: Pride in London 2014

Thankfully 25 Planet London umbrellas meant we didn't let the rain dampen our spirits at this year's Pride in London.

We were fortunate to be marching with our legendary #dyketrike & 50 or so other like minded women  who wanted to raise the visibility of women in Pride - and have a fabulous time whilst doing so!

(more pictures on our Flickr site)

The mood was awesome and 30,000 LGBT Londoners took to the streets to shout about why they are proud and for what they are grateful to have the #FreedomTo do in the UK. There were many funny, poignant and unique messages.

Thousands of supporters came out to watch the biggest parade of recent times as it wound it's way through Oxford Street, Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus to Trafalgar Square.

After the Parade we joined Labels Soho who laid on a special Pride menu deal for Planet London marchers and packed the house out there.

We enjoyed the women's stage immensely, programmed by MissFit - and in particular caught buzzing sets from Adam All (joined by partner Apple Derrieres) and Lucy Spraggan (read our exclusive interview with Lucy). Photos of both performances here.



After a stint at a heaving Bar Titania (SHE Soho was already one in, one out) where there were even more live performances, we headed on down to the Main Stage to try and catch a bit of Heather Peace. It was running a bit behind schedule, which meant we didn't miss anything but did mean a few acts got cut short and Peace's headline performance ended the night with a rousing cheer. Fans had been waiting tirelessly all day to see Peace on the main stage, enjoying the likes of Drag Acts, Sir Ian McKellan, X Factor's Sam Bailey, Samantha Fox, Pink Singers & more, and were not disappointed.

(More photos of the Main Stage Acts)

By Katie

Event review: Don't Miss MissFit

Venue: Stokey Stop, Stoke Newington High Street
When: Saturday Nights, 9pm onwards
Entry: Free for now, max £3
Offers: 2 tequila shots for £6; 2 cocktails for £10; 4 beers £10

This new weekly night from the women behind TLC, Unicorn and the upcoming Lesbian Prom offers a local, fun night for all women who want to dance the night away.

Bang in the middle of Stoke Newington High Street, the venue is ground floor and basement based, with a cool, modern urban feel to it. 

With toe-tapping, floor filling music, this event really starts to kick off at 11 as the women pour in. 

The music, supplied by DJ Sandra D and guests, was a lively, eclectic mix reminiscent of Popstarz in its old school days, guaranteed to fill the floor. 

Mostly under 25s, but a few of us in the older brackets too, there was a mix of women at the event and it definitely had a local feel to it, no wonder with the amount of LBQ women who live in the popular N16 locale. With no attitude or pretension present, it was easy to feel comfortable in the space and on the dance floor.

Hosts, Effi-Mai and Sandra chatted and mingled making everyone feel welcome. 

All in all, a great event that deserves to become established as a regular fixture on the calendar.

By Katie