London Pride 2015 - walking group/hang out

Pride is the city's BIGGEST 1-day event, with ~750000 extra people in London, ~30000 marching. March with us (or enjoy the show)!

NOTE: UPDATED below with details of the bi walking group (see later section for non-parade meet ideas).

Also a bi stall this year - see Kate's event comment below!

Parade (Walking Group)

At the Pride in London Parade on 27 June, there will be a walking group for us Bisexuals. If you identify as bisexual, pansexual or similar, or consider yourself a bi ally, please do join us! Please wear Purple if you can! The idea is simply to ensure that the huge number of Parade spectators are aware that bisexuals exist (and would probably be the largest group there if everyone identifying with us were to join us).

The walking group will meet up and assemble to march on Baker Street (same as most years) within "Section A" of the March; where Portman Close joins it, the next road above Portman Square (a grassy square) and beyond Waitrose. We'll be behind the Starbucks marching team (an easy to spot and large group), assuming nothing changes. This is nearer the front than last year. It'll take about 3hrs, do prepare for a long time waiting/walking til we get to Trafalgar Square. Baker Street will be closed off to other traffic. Be there by 12.30pm (or earlier) as they will restrict entry before our section starts processing at 1pm - the Grazing Goat flis an earlier meet point at 11. Near 12.30 you will be able to leave (eg. for emergencies) but might not be able to rejoin the parade. We cannot wait for you as we must be in position for this. You may not be able to join us if you miss the meet-up. Look out for banners in the bisexual colours of pink, purple and blue, and lots of purple outfits. Come prepared: Bring umbrellas/sunhats/sunscreen/water depending on the weather, maybe snacks too as you can end up waiting around a lot - look after your hydration/blood sugar levels!). By attending you're agreeing to follow their code of conduct (http://prideinlondon.org/codeofconduct/), which includes common sense things like no threats, violence or aggressive behaviour; no derogatory remarks to others; you should not be drunk or under (illegal) drugs etc.; read the link for details. The whole group can be pulled out for any single indiscression so be responsible!

Please be aware Tube stations are sometimes closed if things get very crowded, and you should not expect to be able to park anywhere nearby (no parking is provided for walking group participants). Check your route carefully and give yourself plenty of time.

The head of the parade moves off at 1pm. It could take two or three hours to get to the end of the parade route, depending how far back we are in the order. It finishes on Whitehall - you can see the route on the Pride website (http://prideinlondon.org/whats-on/2014/parade/). Please plan for water and sun protection, and snacks if needed.

After the parade

After, or instead of the parade, you can try and join up with others from the group if you like. Who will mostly be next to or in Trafalgar Square, or maybe in Soho if its all a bit much. The Bi stall might be a good point to try and meet others from the group, and any help looking after the stall would be gratefully received. The Square will be access-controlled and may take several minutes to get into (queuing system). Use this event's comments to ask/tell where others are, watch for updates if you can. My phone number is on the "how to find us" details here (above this text?) but may get removed on the day - I may message RSVPd members on Friday with it, but remember I'll also be busy during the day, be patient/leave messages or texts as it can be very hard to have phone conversations from the square with the noise and big crowds also using the phone networks. If you can't get to the group/discover where, be patient/find someone else via here or facebook or twitter or Whatsapp or via text messages or calls to John G. Enjoy it wherever you end up, whether you meet lots of us or not!

Non-Parade (Trafalgar Square area)

For those who missed/choose not to parade, head for Trafalgar Square. Comment on here/look out for comments during the event to find us, or aim for the Bi stall in the Square (next to FtM London & Albert Kennedy; a shared stall). We have a bi flag that should be visible, or: from Trafalgar square, facing the National Portrait Gallery (at the top), the stall should be on the left hand side.. It'll be pitch number 18/19/20. I (John) aim to head there after the march, it depends how hard it is to get in to the Square (will take some time). It tends to be somewhat spur-of-the-moment planning; just aim to have fun and if you meet more people its a bonus. Try and mention our meetup group's name and spread the word to anyone who might be interested! I have business cards/small badges I can give to hand out.

Noting the group's Twitter /might/ (?) be useful too, @londonbi or there is a WhatsApp group list that may still be active (via event-organiser Max).

People tend to splinter off after 5/6/7pm for dinner or home, and then partying some more if you're still around or ready to go clubbing.

Web links for more on Pride

http://www.prideinlondon.org/

Theres a procession (hopefully with floats this year) down through Trafalgar Square. Some of the group will be processing, others will arrive later in the Square. Look for the bi groups in purple. It doesn't seem there will be a bi stall or float that I know of this year unfortunately. Lets plan for next year better!

Social-network links:

Facebook Bi walking group event details (https://www.facebook.com/events/1444947409146838/)

http://facebook.com/londonlgbtcommunitypride

@londonlgbtpride (http://twitter.com/londonlgbtpride/) on twitter

General tips

The crowds will be crazy, so don't give up and go home if you haven't found folk from the group straight away - just have fun and enjoy the parade, chat to random people, tell people about our group (the biggest bi group in London, by the way), or whatever!

I strongly suggest to take down (my) phone number (see above) to call (or text, as crowds make it hard to be heard; have patience). This will help find people if you're new or don't know people already. Otherwise, look for the purple/bi themed banners and outfits and accessories (and wear it yourself if you can).

I'm 6' with very long hair (for a guy), should be recognisable from my profile photo. I might have meetup logos out at particular times!

Comments on this page or greets/messages to organisers may be seen on the day, along with the messages to our @londonbi (http://twitter.com/londonbi), but don't rely on it.