Thousands of rainbow families and friends have flocked to Witney for another year of celebration - as the mayor called for support for the trans community. 

The Witney Pride parade through town on May 25 had double the number of participants that marched last year, while Witney Pride chair Beth Sherlock also said around three thousand attendees came to the event throughout the day. 

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She said: "We had over 40 trader stands at the event including information and community groups, market place sellers and food and drink."

"We also had a Chillout Tent for people to relax in sponsored by CETA Software, and it was great to have the Stagecoach Pride Bus take part in the Parade this year too."

She also praised Witney Mayor Owen Collins' "compassionate" speech to open the day. 

Mr Collins called on the community to stand together, as he said the trans community in particular was "under constant attack".  

He said: "It's our fight as well, we need solidarity."

"The people who are currently attacking the trans community are not going to stop there. 

"We've already seen it happen when they attack trans rights, they move on to LGBT rights in general, they will move onto rights to equal marriage, the right to abortion, the right to contraception, it goes on, it's everybody's fight 

"And we all need to make sure we stand together to oppose the people that are trying to tear our communities apart."

Mr Collins addressed discussions about threats to women and girls, and told the Pride crowds that the threat "isn't coming from the trans community".  

He said: "That threat is coming from the parliamentarians and the politicians that are trying to throw back and repress all of the hard-won rights and freedoms we've enjoyed for the last 50 years."

Ms Sherlock echoed this sentiment - saying that the government uses LGBTQ people and rights as "a human football". 

She said the government created "hostilities with unfounded information against some of the most vulnerable people in our society". 

She said: "For us Pride is about Community."

"All of our focus is on providing LGBTQ people a safe environment where they feel they belong and can celebrate who they are with friends, families and allies.

"Most LGBTQ people just want to be able to go about their lives without fear of attack, be that verbally or physically."

Ms Sherlock said there were many highlights to the day including the parade being led by the Sol Samba from Oxford to all the performers who wowed the crowds. 
She also praised host drag queen Miss Lucy Luscious Lips. 

Mr Collins told the crowds to celebrate the day and told the community they were not merely "tolerated" in Witney. 

He said: "Let's celebrate who we are, who we want to be, who we enjoy the freedom to be, and love, and just care for."

"In Witney, you are not just visible you are not just tolerated, you are welcome, you are celebrated."