June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month in commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. The Uprising is considered a turning point in the Gay Liberation Movement in the US. At first these marches were a political sign and protest, but over the years an element of festivity has been added. Apart from highlighting the LGBTQ+ community’s continuing struggles, Pride Weeks and Parades are a way of celebrating our diversity while creating inclusion and togetherness. What began as a one-day celebration of gay pride soon grew to a month-long series of events that encompass everything from parades to picnics, parties, marches, workshops and concerts.

Globally these events are scattered throughout the year on days with noteworthy events taking place. For example, in Russia, Moscow Pride is in May to celebrate the 1993 decriminalization of homosexuality. All around the world major cities have Pride Marches and here we have listed a few that you might want to join if they’re near you!

Pride Parades Across the Globe

Photo of members of Girl Gone International at the Berlin Pride celebration

Tel Aviv: June 25

This parade is the biggest in the Middle East and attracts people from around the world. All of the city’s main gay clubs have celebrations and the main parade ends with a big party at the beach!

Dublin: June 26

Dublin’s Pride Parade will be a virtual celebration, but that won’t stop people from showing up and coming together through their screens. If you want to be included in the parade, you can even submit your own video! There will be offline events throughout June as well.

New York City: June 26

After canceling last year’s event, New York will be brimming with activity this year! Some events are ticketed, so do your research in advance. The theme for this year is “The Fight Continues” with celebrities and LGBTQ+ trailblazers in attendance.

Toronto: June 27

This year marks Toronto Pride’s 40th anniversary and it will be celebrated with over 70 individual events showcasing more than 130 2SLGBTQ+ artists, 14 party collectives, and seven community committee programs. All of June will be dedicated to the history, courage and diversity of the community.

Munich: July 10

This year “Christopher Street Day”, as it is called in Germany, will be celebrated virtually through live-streams and smaller in-person events and activities.

Reykjavík: August 3-8

“Queers of all Ages” is the theme this year and the program reflects this with events for young, old and everything in-between! Whether for fun, education or pure excitement — this festival has it all.

Amsterdam: August 7

The people in Amsterdam know how to throw a party and you won’t be disappointed if you join in this year’s Pride celebrations. Due to restrictions, the main parade will not be held, but other street parties and dance festivals will still take place!

Manchester, UK: August 28

The Manchester Pride Parade is one of the leading celebrations of LGBTQ+ life around the world. This year’s schedule is still tentative, but will hopefully include socially distanced live-events. They will fall into the following categories: Equality, Arts & Culture, Community, Party, Activism and Youth & Family.

Santa Cruz: August 29

This year there will be a big Pride Picnic in August, but throughout the month of June there will be ongoing events. These events are meant to bring everyone together and to celebrate the community. A virtual Pride parade will be held in July as well.

Taipei: October 3

The Taiwan Pride Festival in Taipei is the biggest in Asia and will be held over three days in October. Apart from the main parade, there will be additional parties and events — the Red House District, with more than 25 different gay bars, restaurants and shops — will be well worth a visit!

“The next time someone asks you why LGBT Pride marches exist or why Gay Pride Month is June tell them ‘A bisexual woman named Brenda Howard thought it should be.’” — Brenda Howard

 No matter who or how you love, or even where you are, there are numerous ways to support your fellow GGIs and humans of this world. Join the celebrations and have some fun, whilst ensuring the safety of yourself and others, by following the guidelines of your city.

proud Girl Gone International fact!

Girl Gone International was founded by Anne Scott and she has two mothers – the first gay couple to ever legally marry in Scotland! Anne grew up watching her mothers fight for equal rights alongside the Scottish LGTBQ Community in the 80s and 90s. She learned from an early age the dangers of social isolation among vulnerable populations and that women working together as a community can quite literally change the world for the better. This influenced the creation of Girl Gone International. 

Since then, Girl Gone International has been a safe place created by and for LGBTQI women as well as cis straight women. Together we create a safe home away from home from one another to connect and feel a sense of belonging wherever we are, wherever we want to go.