Exploring the back streets at London Pride 2017
- Text by Dominique Sisley
- Photography by Theo McInnes
This weekend, Pride took over the streets of London. The annual march, now in its 45th year, has become an almost integral part of the LGBT experience – with thousands of revellers across the capital taking to the streets to celebrate their sexuality.
Unfortunately, in recent years, the creeping commercialisation of the parade has become harder to ignore. Now, the big brands at Pride are loud, prominent, and unavoidable: emblazoning themselves across double-decker buses (HSBC), cock-shaped rainbow flags (Nandos), and even hosting their own parade floats (Tesco). While this may not necessarily be a bad thing – it’s better to show support than not, after all – the mass corporate sponsorship has left many mourning over a loss of soul and authenticity at the parade.
Here, photographer Theo McInnes veers away from the crowds and corporations and into the side streets, in an attempt to find the real heart of the party.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
Resale tickets in UK to face a price cap in ticket tout crackdown
The move, announced today by the British government, will apply across sport, music and the wider live music industry.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Nearly a century ago, denim launched a US fashion revolution
The fabric that built America — From its roots as rugged workwear, the material became a society-wide phenomenon in the 20th century, even democratising womenswear. A new photobook revisits its impact.
Written by: Miss Rosen
A forlorn portrait of a Maine fishing village forced to modernise
Sealskin — Jeff Dworsky’s debut monograph ties his own life on Deer Isle and elegiac family story with ancient Celtic folklore.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Subversive shots of Catholic schoolgirls in ‘80s New York
Catholic Girl — When revisiting her alma mater, Andrea Modica noticed schoolgirls finding forms of self-expression beyond the dress code. Her new photobook documents their intricate styles.
Written by: Isaac Muk
We need to talk about super gonorrhoea
Test & vaccinate — With infection rates of ‘the clap’ seemingly on the up, as well as a concerning handful of antibiotic resistant cases, Nick Levine examines what can be done to stem the STI’s rise.
Written by: Nick Levine
5 decades ago, Larry Sultan & Mike Mandel redefined photography
Evidence — Between 1975 and 1977, the two photographers sifted through thousands of images held by official institutions, condensing them into a game-changing sequence.
Written by: Miss Rosen