The Embassies of the United States, Canada and the Netherlands were the most supportive of Pride organisations across the world in the past years. This is the outcome of a representative research among 150 Pride organisers on all continents. The support that these Embassies offer is not just financial. They also host safe events during Prides, attend Prides, negotiate about protection of Prides with national and local governments and make public statements to support LGBTQIA+ human rights. After these three countries, Embassies of the United Kingdom and the European Union are most active in assisting Pride organisations, particularly in difficult countries.
 
Especially in countries where public opinion and authorities are still negative towards LGBTQIA+ persons, the support of Embassies is vital for Pride organisations. For instance, where homosexuality is criminalised, organisations cannot officially register and have no access to national or international funding. However, Embassies can and do assist them in their efforts to support the oppressed LGBTQIA+ community. Another example is that the attendance of Ambassadors and their staff prevents violence against Pride participants, sometimes bodily placing themselves in between participants and police.
 
In the survey, Pride organisers in many countries indicate LGBTQIA+ human rights are under increasing threat from political, religious and social movements that spread fear, negativity and disinformation about sexual and gender diversity.

The Pride movement is a vital counterweight to this development. By creating positive visibility, promoting human rights and engaging allies, Prides counteract fear and misrepresentation.
 
Support from Embassies is therefore increasingly important. However, recent political developments in two of the three most helpful countries, the US and the Netherlands, may threaten continuity. The new government of Netherlands has already announced severe cutbacks on their engagement with human rights elsewhere in the world and on Embassy staff. And while the plans of the Trump Administration are yet to be announced, an increase in support for LGBTQIA+ human rights across the world is not expected.
 
This research underlines the importance of not only maintaining Embassy support for Prides from the countries that currently engage, but also stepping up the support from Embassies of other countries within the Equal Rights Coalition.
 
The Equal Rights Coalition is a platform of 44 countries across four continents that work together within the United Nations to promote LGBTQIA+ human rights worldwide. If all their Ambassadors step up in a concerted effort, diplomatic support for Pride organisations could be a beacon of hope in a world that is becoming increasingly hostile to LGBTQIA+ persons.