The GLOBAL PRIDE worldwide LGBTQIA+ online celebration has announced its first wave of speakers and artists!
Global Pride was launched by national and international Pride networks after hundreds of Pride events were cancelled or postponed due to COVID19. Organisers are planning a 24-hour stream of content created by Prides globally, together with speeches from world leaders, activists and human rights defenders, reflecting the organisers’ statement that “Pride events might be cancelled but the spirit of Pride will live on”.
Organisers estimate that there are more than 1,500 Prides globally, and all are invited to be a part of theevent happening on 27/28 June. It will be free to view and is expected to attract millions of viewers,livestreamed on the Global Pride website, on YouTube and on other platforms to be announced.
Announced today, the first wave of speakers and artists confirmed for Global Pride include Carlos Alvarado Quesada, President of Costa Rica – which this week legalised equal marriage – Prime Ministers of Norway Erna Solberg and Luxembourg Xavier Bettel, and Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil of India. All were approached by Pride organisations in their own country. More leaders will announce their participation in the coming weeks.
Artists including Courtney Act, Pabllo Vittar, Ava Max, Deborah Cox, Kristine W, Dixie Chicks, Thelma Houston, Bright Light Bright Light, Steve Grand and Rachel Sage are also scheduled to appear. More leading names from the world of entertainment including international musicians and bands, and performers from the LGBTQIA+ community, will be announced throughout June.
Kristine Garina, President of European Pride Organisers Association, says: “Every Pride organiser in the world can tell you a story of someone whose life changed when they visited Pride, and so with so many Prides being cancelled or postponed, as organisers we felt we had a responsibility to come together and deliver Pride online. We’re tremendously excited for the potential for Global Pride to bring people together in the biggest Pride there has ever been.”
Albert Kruger, CEO of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, says Global Pride will reach an online audience of millions across the planet, so it’s vital our Asia-Pacific region steps up to be an essential part of it. “We want it to be truly global, including a spectacular online showcase of the Asia-Pacific’s best LGBTQI talent, and giving the world an inspiring and informative window into our rights in the region,” he says. “That’s why Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, in conjunction with Brisbane Pride, Melbourne’s Midsumma, Auckland Pride and Wellington Pride, is coordinating content in the Asia-Pacific. There’s still time for Prides and other LGBTQI organisations, inspiring speakers and sensational talent to join in with Global Pride. Get in touch with us on email — festival@mardigrasarts.org.au.”
Two months ago, when Global Pride was launched, organisers expected viewers to be watching from home. But with lockdown lifting in some countries, they expect some people to be able to watch in groups of friends and hope that bars and venues in some cities may show the event on big screens. They’re encouraging all viewers to follow the social-distancing and other guidelines from their governments.
Julian Sanjivan, Co-President of InterPride, says: “By taking Pride online, not only are we making sure that LGBTQIA+ people everywhere can still experience the joy and community of Pride, but we also for the first time are enabling people to take part in Pride wherever they are. This means people who aren’t out, or who are living in socially conservative countries, can take part. The support of these incredible world leaders and performers will mean so much to marginalised LGBTQIA+ people everywhere.”