Luton’s newly appointed and openly queer mayor delivered a powerful message of visibility and defiance as more than 10,000 people filled the Hat District with music, colour, protest and joy, making this year’s Pride celebration the biggest bash yet.
Now in its fourth year, Pride in Luton is more than a celebration — it is also a platform for education, protest and inclusion. Alongside performances, including from headliner and one of the stars of BBC’s Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, La Voix, the free festival featured speeches and outreach from grassroots organisations.
Addressing the crowd, Amy Nicholls, said: “I’m incredibly proud to be the first mayor to speak on this stage — and even prouder to stand here as the first Mayor of Luton who openly identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
“Although, with nearly 150 years of mayoral history behind us, it’s likely that there were others before me who couldn’t be open about who they are or who they love.”
She reflected on the power of Pride in Luton since its launch in 2021, calling it “a beacon of hope, inclusion, and celebration — right here in the heart of our town,” and praised its role in building a more cohesive and united community.
“I’m proud to be the mayor of this wonderfully diverse town. During my year as mayor, I’ll continue to support communities who are still marginalised and use my platform to amplify their voices, dreams, and aspirations,” she said.
“As the first citizen of Luton, I will continue to stand by the message that Luton is no place for hate.”
Her speech touched on the importance of chosen family and solidarity with those around the world still facing danger, discrimination or isolation.
“Standing here, surrounded by my own friends and family, I reflect on our wider LGBTQ+ family: those in Luton, across the UK, and around the world who still cannot live freely or safely. Many face rejection, isolation, violence simply for being who they are or loving who they love. To anyone here today — you are not alone.”
Ms Nicholls also made a powerful call for trans rights and historical awareness of Pride as a movement, saying: “Let’s not forget the origins of Pride. Pride is, and always has been, a protest — and today, the fight for visibility, safety, and equality and even just to exist is still very real both across the globe and here in the UK.
“We would not be here today without our trans siblings. So I stand here today and say clearly: Trans rights are human rights. There is no LGB without the T.”
Nicholls closed her speech with a rallying message of joy as resistance: “All of you here are seen. You are heard. You are respected in our town.
“While Pride is rooted in protest, I reflect on a conversation I had this week about joy as an act of resistance. Experiencing joy in the face of oppression is not a passive action — it’s powerful.
“By embracing joy we can resist those that may try to oppress and bring us down. So today, I invite all of you to join me in dancing, singing, and embracing joy. Let our joy echo through our streets and show that Luton is proud.”
The mayor’s words set the tone for a day that blended celebration with activism, as thousands came together to champion LGBTQ+ rights, community and culture.
Reflecting on the success of the day, Karol Augustyn, co-chair of Pride in Luton, posted on Instagram that this year’s Pride, “was the best festival yet, with a record number of visitors. A record number of us, and a record number of true allies. Seeing happy couples and families having such an amazing time was truly heartwarming.”
As one of the event’s organisers, he had opened the weekend on Friday night with a moving and powerful speech at the annual Pride vigil in the Hat Factory, honouring lives lost and urging unity in the face of rising hate.
But Saturday was a time for joy and celebration. The main stage was headlined by La Voix, whose performance brought the day to a glittering finale. Other acts included drag king Don One, singer-songwriter Darkwah, and high-energy tribute act The Cher Experience. Local performers such as the Ukemaniacs, Strike Free and young drummers from Luton Music Service also entertained crowds throughout the afternoon.
Families enjoyed a dedicated zone in Hat Gardens, complete with drag storytelling, crafts and games, while teens had access to two inclusive rave sessions inside Hat Factory. A quieter sensory space, British Sign Language interpretation and gender-neutral toilets helped ensure the event was welcoming and accessible to all.
Be the first to comment