Love, parades, campaigns and resources for all

June is Pride month celebrating and uplifting LGBTIQ+ communities across the globe – showing love, support and friendship for everyone and campaigning for rights and inclusivity. 

Commemorating the famous Stonewall riots, which began in the early hours of 28th June 1969 after police raided the Stonewall Inn bar in on New York’s Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, Pride is also about acceptance, equality, celebrating the work of LGBTQ+ people, education in LGBTIQ+  history and raising awareness of political, social and other issues affecting LGBTIQ+ communities.

Where to celebrate in Europe

Across the summer, there are a host of colourful and spirit-raising celebrations in European cities. Germany’s incredible Pride events are named after Christopher Street Day (CSD) and take place in June and July in Berlin, then Hamburg, Cologne and Frankfurt in August.
Other unmissable Pride events take over Paris (aka Marche des Fiertés LGBT), Madrid, Barcelona, Vienna, Stockholm, Amsterdam, London and more.

There are also organisations including EuroPride which hosts carnivals in cities known for their LGBTIQ+ communities (2024’s will take place Thessaloniki, Greece on 21-29 June) and WorldPride which features opening and closing ceremonies, a Pride parade and LGBT human rights conferences (the next one is due in 2025 in Washington DC). 

The history of Pride

In 1969, the Stonewall Inn was a haven for New York’s gay, lesbian and transgender community. At the time, homosexual acts remained illegal across America – except Illinois – and bars and restaurants could be shut down for serving gay patrons or employing gay staff. Often illegally run by the Mafia, gay bars were targeted by the police but on 28th June, the LGBTIQ+ community including young “street kids” and transgender women of colour fought back.  

Over the following nights, supporters and activists joined the Stonewall crowds and a new spirit of LGBTIQ+ resistance spread across the city. A year later, activists organised the Christopher Street Liberation March to cap off the city’s first Gay Pride Week. The grassroots event spread across the US and then into Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. Now millions of people take part in Pride across the world. 

Dig deeper into history and current events with these essential documentaries, books and podcasts. 

The need for Pride

Pride events are human rights  – a celebration that also shines light on LGBTIQ+ social, legal and political adversity and the need for lasting change and equality.
There are still 65 countries around the world which criminalise lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people with six – Iran, Northern Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Yemen – implementing the death penalty. There has also been a stark rise in anti-LGBTIQ+ and transphobic statements from politicians across 32 countries in Europe over the last year according to ILGA Europe. Pride still remains a vital political force while also supporting, celebrating, championing and raising awareness for LGBTIQ+ issues. 

Useful support systems for LGBTQ+ communities across Europe

IGLYO is the world's largest network for LGBTQI young people and students. 

The European Pride Business Network (EPBN) is the politically independent European umbrella organisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersexual professionals and managers.

MindOut is a UK mental health service run by and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) people.

IGLTA provides comprehensive guides to LGBTQI+ travel safety around the world with places to visit, stay and explore.

Egalité is an association for LGBTI+ staff working within the EU institutions.   

Ways to demonstrate your allyship

Showing up and vocally supporting LGBTIQ+ friends, family and colleagues (especially giving them the space to be open and accepted while being mindful of their mental health – see the charity Mind’s helpful suggestions) to being active within the workplace (the UK’s Stonewall charity recommends adding your pronouns into email signatures and rallying senior leaders to be active champions), allyship can be practised everywhere.

As well as educating yourself about Pride’s history and current issues, support LGBTIQ+ culture, businesses (see the excellent worldwide resource Everywhere Is Queer) and spaces. 

How to actively show your support for LGBTQ+ global community

• Wear your Pride

Rainbow-washing means businesses that remain politically and socially neutral while adopting rainbow colours – make sure if you’re investing in Pride pins, badges, totes and other pieces that the proceeds go towards supporting LGBTIQ+ charities and activism.  

• Donate to charities

Here are some essential charities to support this Pride and all year round. 

GiveOut is an award-winning charity working to grow giving to support the global struggle for LGBTQI rights.

The Trevor Project is the US’s leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organisation for LGBTQ young people.

Kaleidoscope International Trust is a UK-based charity focused on fighting for the human rights of LGBTIQ+ people across the Commonwealth and beyond.

Outright International works in partnership with local LGBTIQ+ groups across Asia to stop gender-based violence and discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people. 

Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQI+ people escape state-sponsored violence.

GATE is an international advocacy organisation which stands for Global Action for Trans Equality: Equality and Dignity for all. 

• Share campaigns and awareness across social media

Rainbow Welcome! works to improve the conditions for LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers and refugees in Europe (see their guide to active support). 

Lesben- und Schwulenverband in Deutschland (LSVD) is the largest non-governmental LGBT rights organisation in Germany. Sign up to their newsletter here. 

Support observance days online with European Pride Organisers Association. 

The Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than three million members and supporters across the US. Support them here. 

• Show your political and economic strength

Educate yourself with ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map & Index which is an annual benchmarking tool, ranking 49 countries in Europe on their LGBTIQ+ equality laws and policies.

The Intergroup on LGBTI Rights is an informal forum for Members of the European Parliament who wish to advance and protect the fundamental rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. You can contact them here. 

Funders for LGBTQ Issues is a network of more than 100 foundations, corporations, and funding institutions that collectively award more than $1 billion annually, including approximately $200 million specifically devoted to LGBTQ issues.

Workplace Pride is a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to improving the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer (LGBTIQ+) people in workplaces worldwide.

Finally, get involved. 

There’s no party like a Pride party bringing together street carnivals, colour, music, poetry, comedy, dancing and joy. It’s all about love, solidarity, friendship and freedom. So find your nearest celebration here with 2024’s Global Gay Pride Calendar. #HappyPride