The athlete and singer, who both recently came out as gay in public, shared their excitement at being part of what the London Mayor’s office described as the biggest Pride in the capital ever.
Schofield also took to social media to share his Pride experience, describing it as an “amazing and inspiring day”.
Crowds – who Sadiq Khan’s office said numbered more than a million revelers – in rainbow colors and with face paint, glitter, jewels and sequins gathered on Saturday for what was also London’s first Pride since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Rafts lined Park Lane ahead of the big march through the capital, which was led by Gay Liberation Front (GLF) activists with placards saying “I was there in 1972” and that they are “still fighting” for global LGBT+ -freedom.
Uniformed officers from the Metropolitan Police did not participate in the parade this year after police acknowledged the concerns of the LGBT community in the wake of investigations that concluded police failures “probably” contributed to the deaths of young men who were murdered by serial killer Stephen Port.
As part of what organizers called the “biggest and most inclusive event in history,” a lineup of artists performed on four stages in central London.
Sande, one of those on the entertainment bill, posted a story to her Instagram in which she and her partner, classical pianist Yoana Karemova, were on their way to the sound check, and later in Trafalgar Square, where preparations were made for that musical. day. extravagance.
Sande previously said she was driven to come out publicly by an urge to be “brave and honest” in everything she does, and that while she was “nervous” about the decision, she also wanted to “shout from the rooftops.” and celebrate” their relationship.
Dame Kelly posted an image of herself online in a long, multicolored outfit with a Pride flag bearing the hashtag “I am” – a nod to an ITV documentary in which she appeared to tell her story.
Addressing the crowd in Trafalgar Square before introducing Sande, Dame Kelly vowed she would “never live behind that curtain again” after coming out as a gay woman.
Presenter Schofield, who spoke in early 2020 about “accepting the fact that I’m gay,” walked alongside Dame Kelly at the parade this morning.
This year’s parade, from Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall, paid tribute to the original 1972 march.
More than 600 LGBT+ community groups would take part in the march, with the route passing key locations of the UK’s first LGBT+ movement.
Mohammed Nazir, 24, of Bangladesh, of campaign group Rainbows Across Borders, said he wanted to dedicate this year’s pride to those who are still forced to hide their sexuality.
He told the PA news agency: “Pride is about self-affirmation, dignity and equality. It’s a way to meet other LGBTQ people. Pride is a movement where we are still fighting for our rights.”
Mr Khan said there is still a “danger” to the LGBT+ community from “discrimination, bias and violence”, and warned against being “complacent”.
He said: “This year is Pride’s 50th anniversary, celebrating this community, celebrating the progress made, but also continue to campaign and never be complacent.”
London Gay Men’s Chorus, which took part in the march, described an attack on one of its members and his partner in the early morning of Saturday as a “terrible attack”.
A man was arrested by the Metropolitan Police on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm in what police said are treating as a homophobic hate crime.
The chorus said the attack “only serves to underline the importance of fighting homophobia and all forms of discrimination”.
Pride attendees also shared their relief to get back to marching and celebrating after the pandemic.