An unofficial Pride gathering at Clapham Common this evening saw dozens of people enjoy drinks in the sunshine.
Met Police said at 10.56pm that they had attended the 'unlicensed music event' and were dispersing those in attendance.
The pandemic has seen most Pride events for this year cancelled but that didn't stop people meeting up in London one week before pubs in England officially reopen.
One of the largest Pride events is usually in the capital, which attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year, but the 2020 event due to take place on Saturday was postponed due to Covid-19.
June 2020 marks the official 50th anniversary of LGBTQ+ traditions and today a Black Trans Lives Matter march was held through London.
Tribune magazine columnist Jason Okundaye tweeted: "The black trans lives matter marches across london today are far closer to the original inception of pride, than the rainbow capitalism and barclays floats we’ve come to know will ever be.
"Pride isn’t cancelled this year, it’s back."
The decision for so many people to gather at Clapham given the ongoing public health crisis has been criticized by some.
George Scott took a picture of the crowds and wrote: "Happy pride everybody. That’s a very big bubble on Clapham Common".
Niall James said: "If you’re on Clapham Common right now take a good hard long look at yourself!".
And another Twitter user said: "Pride in London wasn’t cancelled after all! They just moved it to Clapham Common instead..."
Big Brother contestant Mark Byron tweeted yesterday: "Super excited for unnoficial (sic) pride tomorrow on Clapham Common!!!".
Current social distancing guidelines are still that people from separate households should not come within two metres of each other - it does not officially change to 'one metre plus' until July 4, when pubs have been given the green light to reopen.
In the Black Trans Live Matter demonstration a crowd gathered at Hyde Park Corner before a march, with many wearing face coverings and carrying placards displaying messages such as "Silence is violence", "Protect trans youth" and "No justice, no peace".
Some of the demonstrators also carried fresh flowers, while banners said "Fight police brutality, fight racism! Fight imperialism!" and "Black trans lives matter".
Human rights activist Peter Tatchell and former Gay Liberation Front (GLF) members also marched in central London.
The activists, some of whom are in their 70s and 80s, marched the route usually taken by the Pride In London parade calling for political action including the end of deportations for LGBT asylum seekers.
Mr Tatchell, 68, told the PA news agency: "Today's march is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Gay Liberation Front.
"We are seeking to reclaim Pride as an event for LGBT+ human rights."
Mr Tatchell added: "We hope that our protest will encourage people to remember the long, difficult struggle for LGBT+ rights and remember that here in Britain, and around the world, there are still battles to fight and win."
He said that due to Covid-19 and underlying health conditions that just around a dozen GLF veterans would be joining the march.
Mr Tatchell added: "As well as campaigning for LGBT+ rights, we are expressing our solidarity with Black Lives Matter, and black LGBT+ people."
Many members of the LGBT community have opted to hold online celebrations throughout Pride month.
One such event was a 24-hour live stream celebration, Global Pride, which took place on Saturday from 6am.
Celebrities and politicians were among those taking part, with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer saying the virtual event allowed people to celebrate "diversity and equality during these challenging times".
He added: "I'm proud to be an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, and I'm proud to lead a Labour Party which has consistently advanced the cause of civil rights.
"I also know there's much more to do. We must continue to stand against homophobia, transphobia, discrimination, in all their forms."
