Divya Madhavan - Marching for Pride 2026
Divya Madhavan, Pride Parade 2026
On Saturday 4 July, I swapped my usual routine of dissertation research for a Middlesex Pride t-shirt and a wristband. What followed was one of the most electric, moving, and genuinely unforgettable days of my time at MDX.
Getting There
After meeting the rest of TeamMDX at Grosvenor Square, we walked down together to our production area on Park Lane and found our spot alongside other organisations from across London. The next 60 minutes were spent waiting for the parade to begin, which was surprisingly, a lot less tedious than expected. We spent the time learning dance routines with Tesco and other parade groups.
The Moment It Started
At 11 o'clock, our section finally started moving and the energy shot up straight away. As we turned onto Piccadilly, the banners for this year's theme — 'United for Trans Rights' — came into view, and it hit me that this wasn't just a walk through central London anymore. It felt like something we were all standing up for together. I had goosebumps before I'd even properly started walking.
The LGBTQ+ community has always stood for human rights and peace and I thought of this parade as a way of thanking and celebrating them. It was fascinating to see a group of total strangers coming together, dressed in vibrant colours, to voice something they all cared about. Be it a popular brand, a non-profit organisation, or everyday people, coming together for a cause is an achievement that deserves exactly this kind of celebration.
The People
We had TfL walking behind us and Walt Disney ahead of us. 20 of us from MDX represented Middlesex University on the day. Every person I connected with at the parade was someone I'd probably never have crossed paths with outside a lecture hall.
By the time we'd made it through Piccadilly Circus and down into Whitehall, we'd exchanged numbers, stories, sweets, and energy bars to survive the heat. The parade finished at Whitehall Place, where we squeezed in for a group photo and a few of us carried on to Victoria Embankment Gardens for a well-earned rest.
What It Meant
As an international student, I often feel homesick and worry about missing out on experiences like these. I always wanted to feel included in London's vibrant culture and Pride 2026 gave me the opportunity to voice my core value: live and let live.
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