Yesterday I spoke to over a hundred LGBT pupils and their allies from secondary schools across Redbridge ahead of #Pride weekend in London.

It was inspiring to see so many young people coming together to celebrate difference and stand together against hatred and bigotry. I’m proud to represent such a diverse community in Ilford North – with people from many faiths, races, disabilities, sexual orientations, gender identities and all ages. We’re all different, but we have far more in common.

We’ve made great strides, but we still have some way to go to create a society in which everyone is accepted and respected. In London we’ve seen a rise in homophobic hate crime, Islamophobia and antisemitism. There are still too many who would judge, abuse or harm others simply for being different. That’s not the kind of society I want to live in. Each of us has agency to tackle prejudice and discrimination wherever we find it.

Today is Pride in London. I’m chuffed to have been included in the Guardian’s Pride Power List alongside so many LGBT heroes.

Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈 And best of luck to the England team as they take on Sweden! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿