The Mayor of London has called out US President Donald Trump for failing to acknowledge the LGBT+ community during Pride month.
Speaking to Pink News, Sadiq Khan said the LGBT+ community needed to be celebrated, not ignored.
“My message to Donald Trump and others around the world who don’t recognise the huge contribution the LGBT+ community can make is to come to London and see the contribution they do make,” he said.
“They help make London the greatest city in the world. Economically, culturally and socially I want London to be a beacon for the rest of the world in how we do it.”
In the US, the White House avoided celebrating - or even mentioning - Pride Month this year, instead recognising June as ‘Great Outdoors Month’ and ‘Home Ownership Month’.
Khan said he was proud to be attending the 45th London Pride parade on Saturday, “the biggest Pride in London’s history”.
“The key message I want to send out is that here in London you’re free to be who you want to be and you’re free to love who you want to love.”
Khan also spoke about the recent terror attacks in the UK - as well as the Grenfell Tower tragedy - and noted that minority communities in London needed to come together.
“The great thing about the LGBT + community is that over the years I’ve worked closely with them in solidarity, making sure we promote equality and eliminate discrimination.
“There are common causes here. I’m a religious minority, and ethnic minority and I want to be tolerated and I want to be respected and embraced as do the LGBT plus community,” he added.
Following the festivities, one Londoner sent a tweet to the mayor to say he'd been inspired to propose to his boyfriend.
