June has arrived in a blaze of glorious sunshine which means, alongside the start of official British summertime, that it’s now Pride month.

It’s a time when LGBTQ+ people come together to celebrate the progress made towards equality, raise awareness of the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights, and celebrate in the spirit of love, friendship and solidarity.

It’s also an opportunity for allies to respectfully show their support for the LGBTQ+ community. In the present moment, this is more important than ever. The Covid-19 crisis has exposed and intensified systemic inequalities for the community, with LGBTQ+ people reporting worsening mental health, financial difficulties, increasing risk of domestic abuse, homelessness and isolation.

Pride month 2022: LGBTQ+ businesses in London to support now and forever