Pride around the world: Riot of color as millions turn out in across the globe for annual LGBT festival
- Austrian drag queen headline act for this year's festival celebrating rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
- Sir Ian McKellen will introduce Eurovision winner, other celebrities including Graham Norton supporting the event
- Thousands of people paraded from Baker Street to Trafalgar Square in fancy dress with empowering posters
More than 300,000 people crammed into London's Trafalgar Square today to celebrate Gay Pride - and catch bearded lady Conchita Wurst's first major UK concert.
The Austrian drag queen, crowned the winner of this year's Eurovision Song Contest, was introduced by Sir Ian McKellen at 5pm to conclude a day of celebrations for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
The day started with a huge parade featuring more than 20,000 people - up 25 per cent on last year's 15,000.
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Moment in the spotlight: Conchita Wurst performs at Trafalgar Square. She shot to fame after winning this year's Eurovision Song Contest
Celebration: Giant rainbow flags were brought out for the event in London which saw 300,000 people flood the streets to support the LGBT community
Festival: Marchers got creative with how they showed their support, with many carrying homemade banners. This group showed off huge letters made out of balloons
Showstopper: Having performed at a number of other countries' Pride events, Conchita Wurst took to the stage in London alongside singers Samantha Fox and Sinitta
Celebrity support: Sir Ian McKellen marches with campaigners from Stonewall - a lobbying group that works towards equality for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals
Party bus: A red double-decker is decorated with colourful balloons, flags and banners as members of the National Union of Teachers join the parade
Lady in red: Dressed in intricately decorated floor-length dresses, two supporters joined the march with campaigners from Macmillan Cancer Support
Dressed up: This reveller make the most of the party atmosphere, dressing in sequin-covered evening dress and sparkly eye make up
More than 200 floats and trucks set off from Baker Street this morning, winding through London's streets before arriving at Trafalgar Square.
The event today launched its new campaign 'Freedom to...' which invited people to say what Freedom means to them in celebration of equality and diversity.
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The campaign is supported by TV presenter Graham Norton, Strictly Come Dancing judge Louie Spence and Hollyoaks actor Kieron Richardson.
Harry Derbidge, a star on reality television show The Only Way Is Essex, has also given his support.
Graham Norton, who celebrates the #FreedomTo be camp, said: 'Right now we have so many freedoms and yet suddenly all sorts of weird issues are coming up.
Superstar: Fans rushed to pose for photos with Conchita, who shot to fame on the Eurovision Song Contest this year, winning the competition
Here for the party: Sir Ian McKellen came down for the event and posed for photos with fellow revellers before later introducing Conchita Wurst on stage
Vibrant: With 20,000 people marching and 300,000 people altogether - many in fancy dress - the capital's streets transformed into a sea of colour
Pride brigade: Clad in jeans, leather waistcoats and rainbow flags, these bikers cruised through the rain in honour of the international annual festival
Rolling through London : Women dressed in pink brave the wet weather as they skate through the streets as part of the annual parade
Singing in the rain: American-born popstar Sinitta wears a glitzy yellow feather headdress as she takes to the stage for her performance at Trafalgar Square
Dolled up: These marchers looked right at ease dolled up with curled hair, fancy dresses and one in high heels - with umbrellas for the inevitable rain
Larger than life: An impressive blonde wig and jauntily-set black hat make sure this man stands out from the crowd as he marches towards Trafalgar Square
Performance: Spectators were treated to a creative reenactment of JFK's assassination by an elegant man dressed as Jackie O complete with pearls
'These issues include transphobia or the idea that camp people are somehow betraying the gay community... and I just feel like, actually, no!
'There's room for everyone. I just think you've got to let a diverse community be diverse.'
The bearded lady shot to fame after landing 290 points for her performance of Rise Like A Phoenix in the Copenhagen-based competition.
Having already performed at a number of other countries' Pride events, she takes to the London stage alongside singers Samantha Fox and Sinitta.
Announcing the gig in a video online, Conchita told fans: 'I am really looking forward to seeing you all at Pride in London.
Love and leather: Men dressed in leather outfits march through the streets of London, waving flags with red hearts on them
Proud: These two ladies, like thousands of others, came clad in vibrant outfits with makeshift signs declaring their freedom to be LGBT
Pink and proud: Pink hi-viz jackets are paired with matching helmets and rainbow flags. More than 200 floats and trucks set off from Baker Street as part of the parade
Out in force: Uniformed police officers take part in the vibrant parade through central London, marching alongside more than 20,000 other people
Party on: It may have been awash with stormy rain but the marchers ploughed onwards, brandishing empowering signs in all languages
Pretty in pink: This crowd came incredibly prepared in head-to-toe pink with everything from pink bags to feather boas and wigs, to cups
Sassy: This reveller looked every inch a superstar with perfectly coiffed hair, diamond accessories and elaborate make up to go with a glittery red dress
A tender moment: As the parade ploughed on ahead of them, this couple hung back for a dance in the middle of the street which was cordoned off
'Let us be proud about who we are and let us give a statement for love, respect and tolerance.
'And most of all let us be proud and think about those LGBT people around the world, who can't make a Gay Pride in their countries.'
Michael Salter, Chair of Pride in London, said: 'Pride in London is not just a celebration of our capital's brilliant diversity.
'It is also an opportunity to acknowledge how much we have achieved whilst also recognising there is still much work to do to win true freedom for everyone - not just in London, but around the world.
'Our new campaign is about making sure that everyone has a chance to tell their story and be part of the celebration and campaigning of Pride in London.'
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