WorldPride still on … just

Floats have been banned and events cancelled ahead of this weekend’s WorldPride event in London, due to lack of funding.

WorldPride organisers, Pride London, announced the changes at an emergency meeting at City Hall last week, PinkNews reports.

Events planned in Soho have been cancelled, the parade scaled back to a walking event with no floats or cars, and Trafalgar Square events have been shortened.

Organisers said corporate and community fundraising had been challenging due to a “more difficult economic climate”.

“Despite creating a strong sponsorship base for this year’s planned event, there is, in the week leading to the 7th of July, still a shortfall,” organisers said.

WorldPride celebrations, however, are still planned for July 7, despite earlier reports that the event was in danger of being cancelled.

UK human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said visitors from around the world faced disappointment from the changes.

“The sudden, drastic curtailment of the WorldPride parade, rally and street parties is a huge blow to London and its gay community,” he said.

“The promised extravaganza looks set to descend into a chaotic damp squib.

“It will do great damage to London’s reputation just three weeks before the Olympics.”

Photo courtesy of Pride London/One Sunny Day.