Southampton was a sea of colour as the annual Pride parade got underway.
Members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community lined the city’s streets on Saturday morning for the annual event.
The rain did not dampen anyone’s spirits, with hundreds of people attending.
The parade started in Queens Park before making its way through the city centre to the Guildhall.
Gail Long, 70, was among those leading the parade.
She said: “I come to Southampton every year to celebrate Pride, and to let everyone know that we are on the planet, and we have a right to exist.
“I am here to represent and support the transgender community, but Pride is an event for all.
“Pride is still a protest as things do still need to change.
“I have been on an NHS waiting list for hormone treatment for five years, when I was told it would be two.”
Several businesses and organisations also donned their most colourful outfits and turned out in support of the event.
Members of Solent University’s Student Union were excited to join the parade.
Union president Chinmay Darji said: “For me this is something new as I am not from Southampton so have not been to this Pride.
“I am excited to be part of this for the first time.
“I want to see and know what it is all about.”
READ MORE: Pictures of Southampton Pride through the years
Fellow member Amber Lench said the university has a large LGBTQ+ community and they attended Pride to represent them, and to be “loud and proud”.
Another member, who wished to remain unnamed, added: “With everything that has been happening with the Far-Right protests, we want to be as visible as possible.
“We want to stand against hate.”
The Big Pride Weekend is running over two days, Saturday August 24 and Sunday August 25, for the first time.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend over the course of the weekend.
On Saturday night, Claire Richards of Steps took to the stage, performing an array of popular hits.
Baga Chipz, one of the stars of RuPaul's Drag Race, is also on the bill for Sunday night.
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