TRANS rights activists and supporters marched across Southampton to celebrate pride. 

Over 100 people waved flags of blue, pink, and white as part of a parade representing the transgender community.

The event on Saturday was the first of its kind in Southampton and was hosted by People's Pride. 

The celebrations began at the Bargate followed by a march through the city centre to the Edmund Kell Unitarian Church on Bellevue road where the main event was hosted.

Activists could be heard chanting "trans rights are human rights and "what do we want? Trans rights. When do we want it? Now."

Organiser of the event and chairwoman of People's Pride, Mabel Wellman said that she was "overwhelmed" by all the support for the event. 

The 20-year-old said: "I'm ecstatic. I never thought we could reach this height.

"It's humbling too because of all the people behind this today and behind me.

"I am so lucky I could do something like this with the support of the city, People's Pride, and the transgender community.

"I hope we can create many more events like this in the future. It is so important to represent and to spread information for our community."

Trans Pride featured speeches on a wide range of transgender-related issues, charity and advice stalls, and quiet zones.

Daily Echo:  Danielle Danielle (Image: Hannah De Boltz, Newsquest)
Transgender woman and activist, Danielle said she had travelled from Leicester to join the march. 

She said: "It's really great seeing all the support and representation here today and I wish there was more of it.

"This is just the beginning of it really I've been to ones in Brighton that have gone on for a long time and they are huge now and very commercial.

"This event is doing very well considering it's the first one. I'm here with my friends and we are all enjoying it."

Daily Echo: Kit FountainsKit Fountains (Image: Hannah De Boltz, Newsquest)

Another attendee Kit Fountain said they wanted to see more events representing the gender side of the LGBTQ+ community.

The 24-year-old said: "I have never seen anything like this. I am non-binary myself so it's really amazing being here today."

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