World leaders and Grammy Award-winners for online Global Pride

As International Pride Month kicks off, the first online Global LGBTQIA+ Pride has announced the initial line-up of speakers and artists appearing in the event on June 27. And it’s expected to attract up to 300 million viewers.

Participants include Carlos Alvarado Quesada, President of Costa Rica – which last 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 take part. More leaders will announce their participation in the coming weeks.

Artists including Pabllo Vittar, Ava Max, Olivia Newton-John, Deborah Cox, Kristine W, Dixie Chicks, Thelma Houston, Bright Light Bright Light, Courtney Act, Steve Grand and Rachel Sage have thus far confirmed their appearance. More leading names from the world of entertainment including international musicians and bands, and performers from the LGBTQIA+ community, will be announced throughout June.

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 the virtual event.

“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,” said Kristine Garina, President of European Pride Organisers Association. “We’re tremendously excited for the potential for Global Pride to bring people together in the biggest Pride there has ever been.”

Julian Sanjivan, Co-President of InterPride, added: “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.”

The show will be live-streamed on the Global Pride website, on YouTube and on other platforms to be announced, and will be free to view.

“Pride started as a grassroots coming-together to liberate our people,” said Michelle Meow, Executive Producer of Global Pride. “It’s remarkable that we’re doing exactly that during this pandemic. We are bringing a grassroots presentation of Pride to living rooms and digital devices everywhere. Performers on the global stage are invited to join in this historic event to share their message of affirmation, empowerment, and solidarity.”

Two months ago, when Global Pride was launched, organisers expected viewers to be watching from home. But with lockdown lifting in some countries, they anticipate that some people may be able to watch in groups of friends and that bars and venues in some cities may show the event on big screens. They’re, however, still encouraging all viewers to follow the social-distancing and other guidelines from their governments.

Daily announcements throughout June, will build up the excitement as the Global Pride Team drop the names of major artists and other contributors who’ll be appearing on June 27.

Here’s what you need to know about Global Pride 2020

• Global Pride can be viewed online via www.globalpride2020.org and YouTube on Saturday 27 June. The broadcast schedule will be announced later in June.
• All speakers and artists have donated their appearance and none are paid by Global Pride 2020 or the partner organisations.
• 100% of funds raised by Global Pride 2020 will be distributed to Pride organisations in financial need. Further detail will be published in due course.
• Global Pride 2020 is organised by European Pride Organisers Association, InterPride, US Association of Prides, OLA Orgullo Latinoamerica, CSD Deutschland, Svenska Pride, UK Pride Organisers Network and representatives of Prides in regions where no network yet exists. The Global Pride team includes representatives of Prides in Canada, USA, Mexico, UK, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Latvia, Bulgaria, Spain, Switzerland, Greece, South Africa, and Australia.
• A team of more than 100 volunteers from across the world are giving up their time to organise and deliver Global Pride. All are experienced Pride organisers and information on the team can be found here.