The colourful waves of rainbow have taken over streets for Pride Month – which means it’s time to enjoy the festivities at one of these LGBTQ events in Europe. Every country likes to mark the occasion in their own unique way, making each one a spectacle to remember. Celebrations range from peaceful street parties to all-day dance festivals, each with a lively atmosphere that’s sure to leave you buzzing. So raise the rainbow flag high this summer and affirm the fundamental rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people across the globe at these pride events in Europe.
A history of LGBTQ pride events across the world
While famous for their colourful fun and joyous atmosphere, pride events are far more important than just any carnival. The first one happened over the pond in New York on June 28, 1970, when people marched into Central Park on the one year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. During this historic event, police clashed with members of the gay community when they raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Manhattan. The march was a protest for peace and fundamental human rights, and its legacy has since spread across the world.
Many countries in Europe now consider Pride Month a highlight of the year, with larger-than-life events ranging from commemorative marches to full-blown festivals, rallies, community days and dance parties for everyone to enjoy. Celebrations are often held during June, while others occur at a time that marks a turning point in the country’s LGBTQ history (for example, Moscow Pride is held in May to mark Russia’s decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993).
Three upcoming LGBTQ pride events in Europe
Wherever you’re thinking of going in Europe, you’ll find plenty of LGBTQ events taking place throughout the summer. Here’s a small taste of what to expect:
Paris Pride – Saturday, 30 June 2018
With an attendance of over half a million people, Paris boasts one of the biggest annual gay pride celebrations in the world. The event is held every year at the end of June, starting at Tour Montparnasse and ending at Place de la Bastille. The after party continues at Le Marais, the gay district of Paris. As well as Paris Pride, France is home to eighteen other parades that take place in key cities such as Angers, Bordeaux, Lyon and Nice.
Berlin Pride – Saturday, 28 July 2018
LGBT rights in Germany have evolved dramatically over a relatively short space of time, and the Berlin Pride celebration has swiftly become one of the biggest in Europe. It is known to locals as CSD Berlin, which stands for Christopher Street Day (a nod to the road that the Stonewall Inn was located on, where the riots in New York took place). The highlight of Berlin Pride is the CSD Gala, which has taken place every year since 2011.
Amsterdam Pride – Saturday, 4 August 2018
An annual event since 1996, Amsterdam Pride attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Dutch capital ever year, and is one of the largest public events in the Netherlands. The peak of the festival is the canal parade, when colourful boats and floats of all kinds sail through the city on the first Saturday of August.
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Featured image by Franklin Heijnen.
