Central London June 25th 2016.
A bespoke banner created by artist Stik, was paraded with tens of tens of thousands of people at the Pride in London March on Saturday. The two metre high artwork depicts two androgynous figures holding hands on a rainbow background and completed the all-day rally on top a specially adapted Hackney Carriage Taxi.
The banner was commissioned by Hackney council and was hand-stitched in heavy body flag cotton in collaboration with Flagmakers Ltd. the oldest flag makers in Britain who also make flags for The Queen (of England!). The piece will be put into a London auction later this year to raise funds for a Hackney-Based LGBTQ+ charity or organisation to be chosen by the community. Until then the banner will be on display for free at Hackney Museum.
The parade was joined by Stik and friends from the LGBTQ+ community and queer underground movement and a large crowd of Hackney residents carrying their home-made Stik placards.
Links:
Hackney Today D.I.Y Placards:
http://www.hackney.gov.uk/media/7431/20-June-2016-issue-381/pdf/HT381
Hackney Museum:
http://www.hackney.gov.uk/museum
Hackney Pride 2010:
http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/hundreds_join_together_in_hackney_pride_march_against_hate_1_624072?rate=true&id=1.624072&level=5
Stik Book, available on Penguin:
https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/1099443/stik/