Greater London Authority's press office confirmed that Johnson
is not making an appearance in this year's Pride parade or at any
of the other related events.
Deputy mayor Richard Barnes, who also hosts City Hall's annual
trans meetings, will take Johnson's place.
A spokesman for Johnson told us: "As you may know, Boris supports
a busy programme of events and festivals throughout the year and is
not able to attend each of them every year.
"He has attended two of the last three Prides - despite it
clashing both times with the birthday of very close family member.
The Mayor also provides funding for Pride every year, in addition
to having funded initiatives such as Stonewall's anti-homophobic
bullying DVD for secondary schools in London."
Johnson has been very keen on LGBT rights in recent years, telling
The Guardian in 2010 "Everybody has the right to live their life as
they wish, free from persecution and abuse… irrespective of
sexuality"
London's pride parade starts at 1.00pm this Saturday at the top of
Regent Street.
