‘God loves gays’: London church to welcome drag queens and Magic Mike Live stars for Pride event
The Actors’ Church in Covent Garden, London, will host a ‘Big Gay Brunch’ to mark Pride. (Google)
The Actors' Church in Covent Garden, London, will host a 'Big Gay Brunch' to mark Pride. (Google)
The first ‘Big Gay Brunch’ will be held at the renowned Actors’ Church in Covent Garden, London in celebration of Pride in London next month.
Timed to coincide with Pride in London (5 July), the first-ever “Big Gay Brunch” will be held from 10am at St Paul’s Covent Garden – more commonly known as the Actors’ Church due to its association with the West End.
The Pride in London Parade will kick off at midday, starting from Park Lane.
Drag cabaret artist Le Gateau Chocolat is set to perform at the brunch, while a West End Choir will belt out camp classics and stars from Magic Mike Live will also make an appearance.
If you fancy getting glittered-up for the Pride in London march, Charlotte Tilbury Cosmetics will also be on hand to provide on-the-spot Pride sparkles.
‘A good opportunity to line their stomachs’
Event coordinator and producer Josephine Buchan described the brunch to PinkNews: “It’s Big, it’s Gay, it’s Brunch!” She added that attendees can expect: “Drag queens, Magic Mike, a West End choir, Heineken, Charlotte Tilbury, Gaydar, games, food and drinks.”
Rev Simon Grigg, rector of St Paul’s, Covent Garden, added that celebrating Pride in London at the church is an “absolute joy and a blessing”. He summarised what the event offers, stating, “God loves gays”.
Buchan said of the church’s flamboyant history: “As The Actors’ Church we have been at the heart of theatre community since the days of Charles II. And there has always been a considerable overlap between the theatre community and the LGBTQ+ community.
“This church is so historically important, it has seen the likes of Noel Coward, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith, Sir Stephen Fry, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and the King and Queen pass through these doors.”
Grigg said the brunch event has been created specifically with the young community in mind.
“As a gay man who has supported Pride for many decades I have always worried about young LGBTQ+ people, perhaps coming to London for the first time, being able to navigate the parade and the festivities. I particularly wanted the community to have a good opportunity to line their stomachs and set them up for this important day! And we want to emphasise that the LGBTQ+ community are welcome here at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden.”
“I deplore homophobia in any form’
Speaking of LGBTQ+ inclusion in faith-based community, Grigg said: “Back in the 50s and 60s when male homosexuality was criminalised, the church was actually one of the leading advocates for reform. Sadly, in the years since, the church has become much more reactionary as society has become more welcoming. This has led to a profound alienation between the LGBTQ+ community and the church. The church should be ashamed of this.”
He noted that the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Robert Prevost, holds anti-LGBTQ+ views, which have nothing to do with the Church of England. He said: “I deplore homophobia in any form, and I look forward to the day when acceptance and welcome is expressed throughout the Christian church and indeed everywhere else. I hope we can play a small part in that, and that we can all be guided by the spirit of love.”
Tickets for the brunch can be purchased here.
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