Brighton Pride: Storm Antoni didn't put a stop to parade

Despite the weather warnings, torrential rain and gusty winds, the annual community event, which showcases the city’s charities, community groups, businesses and emergency services, set off from Hove Lawns just before 11.

This year’s theme for the parade was “love, protest, unity” and “dare to be different” and that was certainly felt on the windy seafront as people donned colourful, sequined, and feathered outfits and laughed and joked before the procession began.

The parade wound through the city (Image: Simon Dack)

• Read more: LIVE: Wet and windy weather not dampening spirits at Pride

Revellers still turned out to cheer on the event along the seafront clutching rainbow umbrellas, despite a yellow weather warning for wind and thunderstorms from the Met Office.

Parade participants carried flags, banners and boards (Image: Simon Dack)

The colourful floats and their joyous passengers wound through the city passing by the Brighton i360 and the Brighton Centre, going up West Street and then down North Street, where crowds swelled as they partied to the Sugababes, Abba, Dolly Parton and much more.

Eddie Izzard, who has just launched a bid to become the Labour candidate for Brighton Pavilion, was spotted in the parade with MP for Hove Peter Kyle.

People hid under awnings and sheltered in pubs while they cheered the parade along.

Among those celebrating on Saturday, Ali and Jo Hood-Green made the seven-hour drive down from Bolton on Friday to make it for the festivities, saying: “It was worth it”.

Meanwhile, Connor Charles and Alex Fire drove down from London and stayed overnight, which was no different from how Connor usually travels down to the Pride event each year.

The 30-year-old added: “It’s good, the weather it hasn’t been as bad as what the forecast said. It’s been showering.”

Lots of people came out to show their support (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

As well as people, there were plenty of canine supporters.

Louise brought her dog Dolce clad in a rainbow harness and neckerchief to support her friend who was in the parade.

“It’s something I really believe in,” she said.

Louise and Dolce (Image: The Argus)

“I wanted to come and support the cause.”

The party paused at Old Steine while people enjoyed pop tunes, drums and samba band before it continued up to Preston Park for the beginning of Pride’s festival Fabuloso.

Great British Bake Off star Janusz Domagala said the rain “wouldn’t stop us” as he appeared in the parade for the first time.

James and Janusz (Image: The Argus/Andrew Gardner)

“It’s my first Pride taking part,” he said.

“The rain won’t stop us.

“Every single year I’ve watched the parade and I jumped at the chance to take part.”

This was the defiant message also shared by Pride’s managing director Paul Kemp who said: “We’ve encouraged people to wear ponchos so it might be a little bit Glastonbury.

“That wouldn’t stop us from having a great celebration and a great Pride in our city.”

This year’s event marks the 50th anniversary of the first Brighton Pride march, organised by the Sussex Gay Liberation Front in July 1973.