London to host Europe's gay pride

Cars will be barred from Oxford Street to make way for the parade. London is to host this year's EuroPride, widely considered to be Europe's largest gay and lesbian cultural festival. Exhibitions, films, sporting events, comedy, theatre and music will all be showcased over two weeks from 17 June. A parade of 500,000 people through the streets of central London will be the finale of the event. Mayor Ken Livingstone said it was a chance to celebrate the lesbian and gay community's contribution to the city. The parade will weave its way along a pedestrianised Oxford Street into Regent Street before gathering in Trafalgar Square for a mass rally. 'Carnival atmosphere' Each year the event is hosted by a different European city. EuroPride London 06 chief executive Jason Pollock said it would be a chance for people from around the world to come together to enjoy a carnival atmosphere. "It promises to be the biggest gay and lesbian festival London has ever seen," he said. Chief executive of Visit London, James Bidwell, said: "Gay and lesbian visitors are very important to London's visitor economy and this summer's EuroPride events will showcase London as a top gay-friendly destination."