Every June, Pride Month marks a time to celebrate, uplift and support LGBTQIA+ communities around the world. It’s a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come — and how far there is still to go.

The month is rooted in the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York, a turning point in the LGBTQIA+ rights movement. It’s a legacy shaped by fearless activism from figures like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, whose fight for liberation, particularly for trans and marginalised people of colour, laid the foundation for Pride as we know it.

In 2025, Pride remains as vital as ever. With LGBTQIA+ rights still under pressure globally — from anti-LGBTQ+ legislation to online hate and rising transphobia — Pride isn’t just a celebration. It’s a call to keep showing up, speaking out, and standing together.

Across the UK and beyond, communities are hosting events, marches and creative expressions of Pride that promote visibility, joy and solidarity. It’s also a time to celebrate the voices shaping the future — individuals who are pushing for progress, challenging norms, and expanding the conversation around what inclusion really means.

Here, we spotlight a number of LGBTQIA+ leaders and changemakers driving advocacy and visibility in the UK today…

1. Peter Tatchell

Few people are as closely linked to the UK’s LGBTQIA+ rights movement as Peter Tatchell. A lifelong campaigner, he helped organise Britain’s very first Pride march in 1972 — and he hasn’t missed one since. “I’ve been to every London Pride march since then,” says the 73-year-old. “This year will be my 54th.”

Tatchell co-founded the direct action group OutRage! in 1990, which was known for its bold and provocative campaigns. He has consistently worked to challenge homophobia and campaign for equal rights, including same-sex marriage and anti-discrimination laws.

Tatchell’s influence extends beyond the UK; he has been involved in international human rights work, often putting himself at risk to support LGBTQ+ communities worldwide. 

2. Munroe Bergdorf

Munroe Bergdorf (source: Instagram: @munroebergdorf)

Munroe Bergdorf is a model, writer, and activist who has become a powerful voice for transgender rights and racial justice.

As a transgender Black woman, Bergdorf has used her platform to address intersectional issues affecting marginalised communities. She gained national attention when she was dismissed from a major beauty campaign for speaking out against systemic racism, which led to widespread support and furthered her activism.

Bergdorf’s advocacy extends to public speaking, writing, and working with organisations like the UN Women UK. Her efforts have been instrumental in raising awareness about the unique challenges faced by transgender individuals and promoting inclusivity and diversity in all spheres of life.

3. Lady Phyll Opoku-Gyimah

Lady Phyll, as she’s commonly known, is the co-founder and executive director of UK Black Pride, an organisation dedicated to celebrating LGBTQIA+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and Latin American descent. Her work has been crucial in creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people of colour and addressing the unique challenges they face.

In addition to her role with UK Black Pride, Lady Phyll is a respected trade unionist and a powerful advocate for social justice. She has been instrumental in highlighting the intersectionality of race and sexuality, and her work continues to inspire and empower marginalised communities.

We interviewed her as part of International Women’s Day initiative in 2022.

WATCH: As one of the most influential figures in the British LGBT+ community, Lady Phyll discusses breaking the bias, intersectionality and what led her to start UK Black Pride.

4. Ruth Hunt

Ruth Hunt served as the Chief Executive of Stonewall, the largest LGBTQIA+ rights organisation in Europe, from 2014 to 2019. Under her leadership, Stonewall expanded its focus to include issues affecting the transgender community and launched campaigns to tackle homophobia in schools, workplaces, and sports.

Hunt’s tenure at Stonewall was marked by significant progress in the legal and social acceptance of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the UK. She has been a leading figure in advocating for policy changes and promoting a more inclusive society. Hunt’s strategic vision and dedication have left a lasting impact on the organization’s work and the broader LGBTQ+ movement.

5. Olly Alexander

Olly Alexander, the lead singer of the band Years & Years, is not only a successful musician but also a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and mental health awareness. Alexander has been open about his experiences as a gay man and has used his platform to address issues such as homophobia, mental health stigma, and HIV awareness.

Through his music, public speaking, and documentary work, Alexander has become a relatable and influential figure for many young LGBTQIA+ people. His candid discussions about mental health and his efforts to destigmatise these conversations have made a significant impact on how these issues are perceived within and beyond the LGBTQIA+ community.

 

Yasmin Finney – Trans actress and activist known for Heartstopper and her vocal advocacy for trans rights.

 

Jake and Hannah Graf – Britain’s most prominent transgender couple, continuing to campaign for trans inclusion and representation.

 

Travis Alabanza – Writer, performer and theatre-maker known for their work on trans identity, race and culture (None of the Above, Overflow).

About the Stonewall Riots

The Stonewall Riots of 1969 were a pivotal event in the LGBTQIA+ rights movement, marking a major turning point in the fight for equality and acceptance.

In the 1960s, LGBTQIA+ individuals faced widespread discrimination and harassment. Homosexuality was illegal in many parts of the US, and public displays of affection between same-sex couples could lead to arrest. LGBTQIA+ bars and clubs were often the only safe spaces for people to express their identities openly, but these establishments were frequently raided by police. The Stonewall Inn, in New York City, was one such bar.

On the early morning of June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, intending to shut it down. Unlike previous raids, this one sparked resistance. The patrons of the bar, tired of constant harassment and discrimination, fought back against the police. The situation escalated, with a crowd gathering outside the bar. The confrontation turned into a riot that lasted for several nights, with LGBTQIA+ individuals standing up against the authorities.

Marsha P. Johnson was an African American transgender-rights activist.

Several figures played crucial roles during the riots, including Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, both of whom were prominent transgender activists. Their bravery and leadership during the Stonewall Riots helped galvanise the movement.

Aftermath and impact

One year after the riots, on June 28, 1970, the first Pride marches were held in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. These marches have since evolved into annual Pride celebrations held worldwide, promoting visibility, acceptance, and the ongoing fight for LGBTQIA+ equality.

The Stonewall Riots are often regarded as the birth of the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement. They symbolise resistance against oppression and the struggle for acceptance and equality, and remind us of the power of collective action and standing up for one’s rights.