PRIDE AROUND THE WORLD - MILLIONS REJOICE!
By Michael Bustamante & Rafa Carvajal
In celebration of the upcoming LGBTQ Pride Month, commemorated in June around the United States, this week, we bring you our annual Pride Around the World special issue of Wire Magazine. What does Pride mean to you? That is a common question often asked during worldwide Pride celebrations, as millions of people from all walks of life gather to celebrate, be themselves, stand up to discrimination and bigotry, remember those before us who paved the difficult path to equal rights, and speak out against anyone who dares discriminate against LGBTQ people anywhere in the world.
From Amsterdam to Madrid, to Key West, to Paris and Stockholm, proud LGBTQ community members, their friends and allies will be marching and enjoying festivities in every language on Earth, so this week we preview some of the many great Prides where you can have a fabulous time surrounded by old and new friends.
AMSTERDAM
July
28 - August 5
pride.amsterdam
Inviting over 500,000 participants and visitors to Amsterdam, Pride Amsterdam turns 22 and celebrates with a nine-day festival including a plethora of events in gay and open-minded venues, featuring dance parties, film festivals, sporting events, debates and cultural events. The festivities open with a Pride parade on Saturday, July 28, and close with a unique concert Sunday, August 5 at the Dam Square. Join in and walk the streets of Amsterdam with thousands of LGBTQ people and allies ready to celebrate and love our differences. “Every love counts at Pride Amsterdam.”
ANTWERP
August
8-12
antwerppride.eu
With a population of only about 600,000, Antwerp is known as one of the most open and tolerant cities in the world concerning LGBTQ rights. That being said, since August of 2008 Antwerp hosts its Pride weekend with the goal of uniting social work and business, resulting in a vibrant, welcoming, diverse city with an ample gay scene. Join in and celebrate their theme, “Love United.”
BERLIN
July
28
csd-berlin.de
Deemed as one of the biggest Pride events in Europe, the motto for this year’s Berlin Pride is “My body, my identity, my life!” Thousands of members of the LGBTQ community and allies will hit the streets to promote diversity and ensure visibility. The legendary Berlin Pride March will begin at noon on the famous Ku'damm. The parade will reach the Brandenburg Gate for its closing rally between 3-5 p.m. The march features two blocks, one with walking groups and “silent” vehicles, as well as “loud” ones with big bassy trucks. Join in for what started 39 years ago as a small march of 400 individuals, and has today turned into a powerful political rally and beacon for freedom and human rights.
BRIGHTON-HOVE
August
4-5
brighton-pride.org
Described as “the country’s most popular LGBTQ event” by The Guardian, the Brighton Pride Festival at Preston Park is a glittering celebration of Brighton & Hove’s diverse community that attracts visitors worldwide. With countless impressive performances by international stars over the years, including the Pet Shop Boys, Carly Rae Jepsen, Paloma Faith, Ruby Rose, and Boy George, amongst others. This year, the Pride celebration on Saturday, August 4 will host the legendary pop icon Britney Spears. This year’s festival has expanded into a full weekend with LoveBN1Fest taking place on Sunday, August 5 with headliners Nile Rodgers, Chic, and many others.
BUDAPEST
June
8 - July 8
budapestpride.com
For the first time since its inception, Budapest Pride Festival will be held for an entire month. An LGBTQ organization that fights against discrimination from a feminist and anti-racist point of view, Budapest Pride is working towards a world where LGBTQ people enjoy full social acceptance, and where homophobic, transphobic, sexist, racist, and other oppressive speech is not tolerated. Attend the Festival this summer, along with the Pride March, and the Budapest Pride LGBTQ Film Festival in the fall.
KEY WEST
June
6-10
keywestpride.org
One of the most coveted vacation destinations for LGBTQ visitors the world over, Key West hosts and invites visitors to its Pride celebration June 6-10, where the southernmost city places a spotlight on diversity. Enjoy pool parties and late-night soirees, the finale of a North American cocktail contest, a theatrical reading, film screenings, a Pride street fair and pageants to select Mr., Miss and Ms. Key West Pride. This year’s celebrity guests and contest judges include recording artist Debby Holiday, former American Idol finalist LaToya London, comedy writer/actor Bruce Vilanch, television personality Jai Rodriguez and Key West female impersonator Sushi. The parade will take place Sunday, June 10 at 5 p.m., proceeding up Duval Street from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. Everyone is encouraged to gather afterwards for a traditional Key West Tea Dance at the renowned La Te Da.
LOS ANGELES
June
9-10
lapride.org
#JUSTBE, be aware, be inspired, be united, be mindful and be true – these are the LA Pride values and the official 2018 campaign theme, which teach us that we must never forget, that we are all activists, we are one community, we must support each other and we must be our most authentic selves. “Everyone experiences Pride a little bit differently – and we wouldn’t want it any other way because that’s precisely what makes our community tick,” says Shayne Thomas, CSW Board Member and Marketing and Communications Lead. More than just a theme, #JUSTBE will permeate every element of this year’s LA Pride festivities. Kehlani and Tove Lo are confirmed as the Park Stage headliners this year.
LONDON
June
9 - July 7
prideinlondon.org
Run entirely by a group of volunteers who are passionate about equality and diversity, Pride in London is known for delivering what has become a world-class Pride celebration. “London is an international beacon of diversity, and I’m doing all I can to showcase our capital as the open, inclusive and welcoming place I know it to be,” said Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Some of this year’s events include Pride’s Got Talent, the annual Parade through the heart of the West End, and the impressive two-week Festival that precedes Pride weekend throughout the city. The Parade will take place July 7. Visit the official Pride in London website for updated details on the parade route and timing.
MADRID
July
7
gomadridpride.com
The Madrid Pride Parade will take place Saturday, July 7. It will begin at the Atocha station (Glorieta de Carlos V) and, after crossing the entire Paseo del Prado, will end at Colón. In conjunction with Gay Pride Madrid, WE Pride Festival also takes place with the sexiest, most intense parties, July 4-8, at the most famous venues in Madrid: Sala But, Teatro Kapital, Fabrik, La Riviera. For more information, visit wepridefestival.com.
MONTRÉAL
August
9-19
fiertemontrealpride.com
Celebrating its twelfth edition, the Montréal Pride Festival draws inspiration from the rainbow flag choosing to focus on the color blue, known as the symbol for serenity and harmony. “We invite all parade participants to wear this color and interpret its meaning in an original way: blue like the sky and the sea that open the horizons, like the water that unites us and embraces Montréal, or as the clear water unable to conceal anything!” said Éric Pineault, Founding President of Pride Montreal Festival. The 2.7 km Parade will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 19, following its traditional route along René-Lévesque boulevard, beginning at Metcalfe Street and ending on Alexandre-DeSève Street.
NEW YORK CITY
June
14-24
nycpride.org
This year’s four Grand Marshals scheduled to lead the 49th NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 24 are Billie Jean King, Lambda Legal, Tyler Ford, and Kenita Placide. The theme for this year’s Pride is “Defiantly Different,” focusing on the tenacious individuality of the unified LGBTQ community. According to NYC Pride Co-Chair David Studinski, “this year’s theme is about showing our power, squaring our shoulders in the face of adversity, and continuing to sculpt that magnetic bond within the LGBTQ+ community and our allies.” NYC Pride 2018 will take place from June 14-24. Some of the events include the NYC Pride March, PrideFest, Pride Island, along with some new events, such as the Human Rights Conference, GameChangers, and a new culinary event, Savor Pride. Kylie Minogue, Tove Lo, Lizzo, and Big Freedia are set to perform live at NYC Pride’s Pride Island.
OSLO
June
22 - July 1
oslopride.no
First established as “Gay Days” in 1982, and getting its current name in 2014, Norway’s biggest festival for the LGBTQ community, Oslo Pride, consists of more than 150 events over the course of ten days, including concerts, art exhibits, shows, film screenings, parties and political debates. Oslo Pride focuses on making gay culture visible and contributing to the increased acceptance of Norway’s diverse population. Oslo Pride is arranged annually with the help of several hundred volunteers.
PARIS
June
30
gaypride.fr
One of the city’s most-anticipated annual festivals, Paris Gay Pride (Marche des Fiertés in French), welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually to Paris to celebrate diversity with a lively, colorful street party. This year’s march will begin at the Place de la Concorde at 2 p.m., and will slowly wind down Rue de Rivoli, past the Tuileries Gardens and the Louvre, before turning north at Metro Chatelet and ending up at Place de la Republique for a traditional dance party and musical program from 5-10 p.m. – where local politicians and celebrities are known to join in the fun.
ROME
June
9
romapride.it
Organized by the Mario Mieli Homosexual Culture Club, Roma Pride will once again take to the streets on June 9, demanding full equality for all citizens. Roma Pride has been in the works since exactly one month after its 2017 celebration, and according to the organization’s spokesman, Sebastiano Secci, “we start our work for next year’s show because the Pride are not just parades, but plural political constructions that require commitment and dedication. We, as coordinators, intend to raise the bar to offer to our fellow citizens an event that is ever greater, more open, free and effective.” The parade will begin at Piazza della Repubblica at 4 p.m. and will trail along the center of Rome, ending at Piazza della Madonna di Loreto.
SAN FRANCISCO
June
23-24
sfpride.org
The 48th Annual San Francisco LGBTQ Pride Celebration and Parade will be held June 23-24. The Parade will take place on Sunday in the heart of downtown San Francisco starting at 10:30 a.m. Both the Celebration and Rally are scheduled on Saturday, 12-6 p.m., and on Sunday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Civic Center Plaza and surrounding neighborhood. “Every year, Pride brings almost a million people to San Francisco in celebration. Pride is also an opportunity for our LGBTQ+ communities to reflect on our past and look to the future,” according to San Francisco Pride Executive Director, George Ridgely, Jr. “The 2018 theme for Pride, Generations of Strength, encourages us to express our gratitude to those before us who organized against and stood up to injustice, recognize those among us who advocate tirelessly for our progress, and lend our support to those who will lead us into the future. In this spirit of solidarity and strength, San Francisco Pride is pleased to be honoring this exemplary collection of individuals and organizations. Our communities are, have been, and will be better for their contributions.”
SITGES
June
14-18
gaysitgespride.com
Sitges celebrates its 9th annual Pride celebration June 14-18. Sitges Pride has its own custom built mini village with food stands, bars and a huge stage with top acts and performances every night. Enjoy performances from International artists and local celebrities alike, and tributes to some of the biggest names in pop at The Promenade. Sitges Pride is known for amazing Matinee Circuit Parties, DJ sessions, a great party atmosphere and miles and miles of beautiful beaches.
STOCKHOLM
July
27 - August 5
Stockholmpride.org
Focused on the strengthening of the rights of LGBTQ people and actively opposing any forms of discrimination, Stockholm Pride was founded in 1998, when it hosted its first EuroPride. Today, Stockholm Pride hosts about 450,000 onlookers annually. The EuroPride Parade in Stockholm is Scandinavia’s largest Pride parade. The parade marches through central Stockholm and is a joyful and colorful display of love of diversity – a demonstration of everyone’s right to love and be who they want.
TORONTO
June
22-24
pridetoronto.com
The theme for this year’s Pride Toronto is “35 Years of AIDS Activism,” focusing on people who struggled and the organizations that exist to support them. This year, Pride Toronto shines a light at the continued struggle of people living with HIV/AIDS, and honors those who took action to change their medical, social, and political circumstances. The theme expresses freedom. Pride Toronto pays homage to the future of the LGBTQ community, which is diverse, sexuality and gender defying, brave and proud. The weekend Festival takes place June 22-24.
This was originally published in Wire Magazine Issue 21.2018
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