– Brussels, Wednesday 3 April 2019
For the first time in EuroPride’s history, five Prides are competing for the right to host Europe’s main LGBTI event in 2022.
The bidding organisations [in alphabetical order] are Barcelona Pride (Spain), Belgrade Pride (Serbia), Dublin Pride (Ireland), Variações & ILGA Portugal (Portugal), and Winter Pride Maspalomas (Spain).
EuroPride 2022 will be the thirtieth anniversary of the first EuroPride, and the fiftieth anniversary of the first Prides in Europe. EuroPride has been hosted in more than twenty cities across Europe, beginning in London in 1992, and this year takes place in Vienna, Austria, from 1st to 16th June. Recent hosts include Riga (2015), Amsterdam (2016), Madrid (2017), and Stockholm and Gothenburg (2018).
Each of the bids will be presented at the annual general meeting of the European Pride Organisers Association (EPOA), taking place in Bilbao, Spain, in September. Every member organisation has one vote.
Kristine Garina, President of the European Pride Organisers Association, said:
“This year the Pride movement marks fifty years since the Stonewall uprising in New York that led to the birth of our movement, and so it’s wonderful that we have such excitement and interest in EuroPride in such an important year.”
“I know that all the bids for EuroPride 2022 will have human rights, LGBTI equality and political campaigns at their heart. Pride is a movement for fairness and equality, and I am excited to see the bids and to find out who will host Europe’s most important LGBTI event in 2022!”
Juan Julià, President of Barcelona Pride, said:
“Barcelona is a unique city that captivates those who visit it with its cosmopolitan character, its Mediterranean climate and its artistic and cultural legacy. Barcelona is creative, open, friendly, dynamic, cosmopolitan, inclusive. And above all, it is a diverse city with values.
“That is why it marked the beginning of the LGBTI movement in Spain, housing the first demonstration of the country in its streets. And, for the same reason, the rainbow flags continue to wave proudly on the balconies throughout the city.
“EuroPride Barcelona would be the culmination of an evolving LGBTI project, with a festive and cultural program that grows each year accompanied by powerful social campaigns. And most importantly it would mean the opportunity to show that the people of Barcelona are the best hosts; we proved it in the past and we are ready to prove it again!”
Goran Miletić, of Belgrade Pride, said:
“Serbia is still fighting institutionalised homophobia and transphobia as well as lack of acceptance in the general public. Although the status quo is not yet favorable towards sexual and gender minorities, we have made substantial progress, making Belgrade Pride the biggest in all non-EU countries in the region.
“Although the first Prides in 2001 and 2010 were met with violence, and the Prides of 2009 and 2011/12/13 were banned by the government – the activists have fought long and hard to successfully organise since 2014. Belgrade Pride has grown to become safe, diverse and a hub for activists from the whole region.
“Our community needs to grow stronger and EuroPride 2022 is crucial in helping us in that mission. EuroPride will draw greater attention to the unique problems the LGBT+ people are facing in the Balkans.”
Jed Dowling, Festival Director of Dublin Pride, said:
“2022 will mark a hundred years of Irish independence. Hosting EuroPride will celebrate two of the most important influences on the development of our country, Europe and Pride. Dublin had its first Pride event around the time we joined the EU. Since we embraced both, we have become one of the most progressive cities in the world. We are a technology and business hub for Europe, but we are also a city that overwhelmingly voted to support marriage equality in 2015, and a woman’s right to choose in 2018. Dublin Pride has grown from a dozen people to over 100,000 taking part in our event.”
“By hosting EuroPride in 2022 we will show that we can celebrate all the benefits of being part of something bigger and at the same time celebrate our independence and individuality. And of course, as this is Dublin, we can guarantee that the craic will be mighty.”
Marta Ramos and Carlos Sanches Ruivo, Co-Chairs of Portugal’s application for EuroPride 2022, said:
“In 2019, Portugal tied for first place among the world’s LGBTI-friendly travel destinations. Portugal’s rapid progress in recognising LGBTI rights—particularly for a small, conservative country—can inform and inspire others. But despite our achievement, hearts and minds still must change in order for us to realise full LGBTI equality and safeguard it for future generations.
“With the Catholic church holding World Youth Day in Portugal in 2022, EuroPride that same year in Portugal would be an important show of visibility and acceptance for LGBTI people young and old, both here and around the globe. Our strong, historic ties can carry that message, especially to Portuguese-speaking countries, and the close-knit network of the worldwide Portuguese diaspora can spread the values we change at home to communities everywhere.”
Emiel Wijnberg, organiser of Winter Pride Maspalomas, said:
“Maspalomas Winter Pride has become one of Europe’s favourite Pride celebrations within just five years of its existence. Gathering thousands of international visitors and being one of the final major Pride celebrations of the year, Maspalomas is the ideal location for EuroPride to show the world what Winter Pride stands for; unity, diversity and freedom.
“Maspalomas offers the ideal circumstances to make this happen with an average temperature of 23 degrees in November, a secure destination with a large selection of hotels, beaches and a society with governments and companies who support our LGBT community. Welcome to Maspalomas, welcome to Gran Canaria, this is your Winter Pride!”
The full bids will be published on Monday 29th July, and the result is expected to be announced on the afternoon of Saturday 21st September.