Our summer of Pride celebrations reached an extraordinary milestone on Saturday, 4th July 2026, as the African Rainbow Family team and siblings gathered for Pride in London! It was a unforgettable day filled with community solidarity, high spirits, and groundbreaking visibility for LGBTIQ+ refugees and people seeking asylum.
Gathering at Hyde Park Corner
Our day began bright and early at 9:30 am at Hyde Park Corner. Siblings met up to connect, welcome new faces into the family, and proudly put on their colourful ARF t-shirts, setting an energetic and joyful tone for the historic day ahead.
Leading from the Front: A Historic Honor
This year’s parade was particularly special for African Rainbow Family. We were deeply honoured to be invited by Pride in London to march at the very front of the official parade!
Ten of our siblings had the incredible privilege of marching alongside our Founder and CEO, Aderonke, Pride in London organisers, and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. Assembling at Hilton Park Lane for the official photocall before stepping off at 12:00 pm, our presence at the head of the parade was a monumental moment for the visibility and rights of LGBTIQ+ sanctuary seekers.
Connecting at Victoria Embankment Gardens
Following the march, the entire ARF family regrouped at Victoria Embankment Gardens, where a delicious lunch was served for all our siblings. It provided the perfect, peaceful setting to rest, share stories, laugh, and celebrate the day’s achievements together. Sharing these moments of rest and care is truly the heartbeat of our organisation.
Thank You, London!
A massive thank you to Pride in London for inviting us to lead this year’s parade, to Mayor Sadiq Khan for standing in solidarity with us, and to everyone who cheered us on along the route.
Most importantly, a huge thank you to our incredible volunteers and staff whose hard work behind the scenes made this seamless and safe day possible, and to all our amazing siblings who came out to march with us. Together, we connect, we rise, and we celebrate who we are!
