Pride Organizations to Host Global Pride

(Editors Note — Palm Springs Pride President Ron deHarte serves on the Global Pride Organizing Committee as a representative of the United States Association of Prides. Palm Springs Pride is pleased to share the following details of Global Pride.)

 

National and international Pride organizations have announced a Global Pride live-stream event scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2020, in response to the hundreds of Pride celebrations around the world that have been canceled or postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Global Pride will use online platforms to deliver a Pride in which everyone can participate, wherever they are. The virtual event will feature musical performances, speeches, and key messages from human rights activists.

International Association of Pride Organizers (InterPride) and the European Pride Organizers Association (EPOA) – the world’s biggest international Pride networks – are working with national organizations in Canada, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and regional networks in southern Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America, to bring communities and Pride organizations together for this Global Pride event.

For millions of people around the globe, a Pride event is the one opportunity each year to come together and feel a part of a community, to feel loved, connected and to know they aren’t alone. Global Pride will allow Pride organizers to connect and show solidarity and strength at a time when so many are mourning and feeling isolated and lonely.

“We need community and connection more than ever,” said J. Andrew Baker, co-president of InterPride. “This gives us an opportunity to both connect and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community’s resilience in the face of this pandemic and the true spirit of Pride,” continued Baker. “Pride 2020 represents a milestone for Pride events, with many honoring the 50th anniversary of their first gatherings and marches, such as New York to the first Gandhinagar Pride this year and we would not let that pass without recognition and celebration.”

Kristine Garina, president of the European Pride Organizers Association and chair of Baltic Pride in Riga, Latvia, said, “The unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 mean that most Prides will not take place as planned in 2020, but we’re determined that this won’t stop us from coming together as a united, strong LGBTQIA+ community to celebrate who we are and what we stand for.”

“Annual Pride events in the United States engage and unite 20 million people who gather to celebrate the strength and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community and to raise awareness for social justice and equal rights of all individuals,” Ron deHarte, co-president of the United States Association of Prides and president of Palm Springs Pride, said in a news release. “Through the pain and disruption caused by the novel coronavirus, we will deliver a virtual message of hope, comfort, love and we will have an opportunity to show our appreciation to first responders everywhere.”

Uwe Hörner, a board member of the German Pride network CSD Deutschland, said, “Especially in these difficult times full of uncertainty and insecurity, we need to show visibility. Social distancing must not lead to the disappearance of diversity. We are happy to demonstrate with Global Pride to be part of a large community, and we want to send out a strong sign of solidarity and human rights.”

Jenny Dewsnap, co-chair of the UK Pride Organizers Network, said, “We are enormously proud that UK Prides will be a part of this global event. Our communities and our pride organizers now have something to look forward to this summer and a chance to be a part of this unique demonstration of worldwide solidarity and unity.”

Maria Jern, vice-chair of Svenska Pride the Swedish Pride network, said, “In these times, it is even more important that we can demonstrate the power and strength of a joint Pride celebration around the world. Let the rainbow flag light up the world.”

Dana Marsh, president of Fierté Canada Pride, said, “It’s easy to feel isolated right now, especially with so many of our local Pride celebrations announcing cancellations or new dates. Pride celebrations bring our communities together in a show of solidarity and unity. Now, more than ever, we need to be loud and proud!”

“For Orgullo Latinoamericano (OLA), the regional network of Latin American Pride organizers, this project has encouraged us to work closer and join efforts from all over the Latino diaspora with the Global Pride movement to deliver hope and solidarity for the LGBTQIA+ community.” said Emmanuel Temores, co-chair of OLA.”

Ernie Yuen, president of the Consolidated Association of Pride (CAPI) and member of the Global Pride organizing committee, said, “More details will emerge in the coming days and weeks, saying that the need to respond urgently to this global crisis was key.”

Pride organizations from around the world are encouraged to participate. Pride organizations can express interest to participate at by clicking here.