Pride organisers worldwide have created a new ‘Global Pride’ event to deliver a digital Pride experience everyone can be involved with from the safety of their homes. 

European Pride Organisers Association (EPOA) announced that the collaborative efforts of Pride organisers will take place on Saturday, June 27 2020. In response to the widespread cancellation or postponing of Festivals and Parades across the world, this event will be an amazing opportunity for communities to come together in celebration.  

President of the EPOA and Chair of Blatic Pride in Riga, Kristine Garina, described the event: “Global Pride will show the LGBTI movement for the very best it can be, showing solidarity at a time when so many of us are mourning, and strength when so many of us are feeling isolated and lonely. Above all, we will show our resilience and determination that Pride will be back bigger and stronger than ever before.”

NEWS: Prides come together to organise @GlobalPride2020 amid COVID19 cancellations https://t.co/RORqS2pd5P

— EPOA • EuroPride (@EuroPride) April 1, 2020

Global Pride brings together the much loved aspects of the annual event through a new digital platform. The livestream event will include speeches, musical performances, and key messages from human rights activities. People joining in on the day are welcome to get involved from home. 

Garina further stated, “For millions of people around the globe, Pride is their 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. It’s essential this year that as Pride organisers we ensure there is still the opportunity to connect, even if we are connecting from home.”

Amid the social distancing of COVID-19, many members of the LGBT+ community can feel isolated from one another as well as support networks. Global Pride acts as an important reminder that the community spirit still thrives and unites everyone together. 

Co-President of InterPride, J Andrew Baker, highlighted the necessity for a Global Pride, “We need community and connection more than ever. 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. Pride 2020 represents a milestone for Pride events, with many honouring 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.”

Pride organizations around the world have come together to organize a @GlobalPride2020 event on Saturday, 27 June, 2020, in response to the hundreds of Pride celebrations that have been cancelled or postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. pic.twitter.com/N3gv90lZ2q

— InterPride (@InterPride) April 1, 2020

InterPride and the European Pride Organisers Association are collaborating with national organisations in Canada, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and regional networks in southern Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America, to create this event. Other Pride organisers can still get involved in Global Pride by signing up. 

Board member of CSD Deutschland (German Pride network), Uwe Hörner, shared the following message about the importance of Pride events: “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.” 

If anyone would like to participate in Global Pride 2020, head on over to the event page on Facebook.