Greetings from InterPride,
The months of June and July have been bubbling with Pride activity, against the backdrop of global threats to the LGBTQ+ community. From the newly-signed Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act, to the 145 U.S. anti-LGBT acts, and beyond, highlight the continued need for pride celebrations as visibility and connection remain vitally important for our community.
Though times are hard for many of us, we have witnessed acts of great importance from Nepal being the first South Asian country to recognize same-sex marriage, Estonia as first Baltic state to legalize same-sex marriage, and Iceland as the latest country to ban ‘conversion therapy’. These advancements signify that our work is not in vain and reminds us that there is more work to be done.
Additional Global Highlights Include:
Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, to celebrate Pride Month and call for an end to prejudice.
Almost 50,000 people marched for equality in Lima Pride, Peru.
Roughly 80 people gathered for the “World’s smallest” Pride event in Warwickshire, England. Indeed, Pride comes in all shapes and sizes.
An attack on Vienna Pride, Austria, was thwarted, and embassies worldwide called on Hungary to safeguard LGBT rights before the Pride march.
Following heavy security threats, LGBT events were canceled in South Jakarta, Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation.
40 activists were arrested as journalists and lawyers were held back by police during Istanbul Pride, Turkey. For the ninth year in a row, the governor of Istanbul used social media to announce that they will not provide authorization for any pride events that “threaten the institution of the family,” including the march.
At least 52 people were held by police in the Turkish western city of Izmir, where pride marches were also banned.
Upwards of 2,000 plus anti-LGBTQ protesters violently disrupted the Tbilisi Pride in the Georgian capital, scuffling with police and destroying rainbow flags, signs, festival banners and placards in what Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili labeled as “a shame for a country, which has for centuries considered tolerance as its identity.”
Copenhagen Pride, Denmark, reiterated to Danish global company Chr. Hansen its expectations from partners to stand up for their LGBTI+ employees. The company then faced negative publicity after withdrawing from supporting Pride.
Gloucestershire Pride invited homophobic vandals to Pride to ‘educate’ themselves after a spate of attacks.
Due to the rise in anti-LGBT threats, the insurance costs for Pride events has skyrocketed, representing sometimes a 2,900% price increase on insurance.
As we prepare for the World Conference and General Meeting, let’s continue to stay informed on the global issues facing our community. We have the opportunity to utilize our time together to share our experiences and identify ways to continue to advance our movement. We look forward to seeing you all in October in San, Diego, California.
Natalie Thompson
Hadi Damien