INTERNATIONAL GAY PRIDE CALENDAR 2011
by Will Pulos
What began in many towns and cities as a collection of loosely organized marches commemorating the first stirrings of gay liberation, has evolved into a worldwide phenomenon attracting tens of millions of people all across the globe. This year, there are more pride events taking place than ever before. With Rome hosting EuroPride, Tapei featuring the largest pride celebration in Asia, and Johannesburg the biggest event in Africa, there is an energizing sense of solidarity in the struggle to guarantee equal rights for gay people in every country around the world.
For our Comprehensive International Pride Calendar featuring
309 Worldwide events, see the links below by geographical region.
FEATURED GAY PRIDE EVENTS
AUSTRALIA
MELBOURNE
A slew of saucy Australians came out February 5 for the annual Pride March Victoria. The festive, Down Under pride event featured a number of new additions in 2011 including a Pride Magazine, an election of a king and queen, and the inaugural Peel Street Pride Fair. Aussie lads and lasses marched down scenic Fitzroy Street for the 16th annual event that celebrated the courage, solidarity, and sense of community in LGBT individuals in Australia and around the world. In fact, the 2011 theme of "Pride Around the World" provided a distinctly international vibe. www.pridemarch.com.au
CANADA
VANCOUVER
This breathtakingly beautiful city in British Columbia hosts one of the world's most exciting pride events every year. This year's Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival will take place on July 31. The family-friendly parade features outrageous floats and performers, and the festival, located in gorgeous Sunset Beach park, features hundreds of vendors selling products and providing information on LGBT rights in Canada and around the world. The pride festivities center on Davie Street, the gay village of Vancouver, and there are numerous clubs and bars to go to with hot venues for all types. This year, the Queer Arts Festival will also coincide with Pride, showcasing queer art from a variety of artistic disciplines. www.vancouverpride.ca
INDIA
MUMBAI
The Queer Azaadi Mumbai event expanded from a single day march to a weeklong celebration this year, featuring drag performances, dance, and live music. Culminating with a parade on January 29, thousands of people took part in the Indian demonstration. The increased participation is in large part due to the growing acceptance of LGBT individuals in India. With the participation of Azad Bazaar, India's first LGBT pride store, this year's successful event hosted exciting events from political panels on issues like same-sex marriage to documentary screenings and open-mic sessions. www.queerazaadi.wordpress.com
ITALY
ROME
The host of the annual EuroPride this year is the historic Italian city of Rome. EuroPride began in London in 1992, and is a pan-European party hosted by a different city every year. The event lasts for two weeks, and culminates with a parade, live music, special parties, and an AIDS memorial vigil. This year, it will take over Rome from June 1-12. The main parade takes place on June 11. For the duration of the event, the gardens of Piazza Vittorio, one of the largest squares in Rome, will be turned into EuroPride Park, an open space to be used for cultural events. Check out the full schedule of planned activities on their website. www.europrideroma.com
THE NETHERLANDS
AMSTERDAM
If you'd like to try something a bit different rather than your average pride parade, head to Amsterdam this summer for the Amsterdam Gay Pride Weekend. The highlight of this Dutch celebration is the famous Canal Parade on Saturday afternoon. Instead of trucks, this demonstration uses 75 beautifully decorated boats that travel through the city's famous canals. Over half a million spectators watch the Canal Parade every year. On Friday night, the streets and avenues of this charming city are filled with outdoor celebrations. Many clubs host dance parties Saturday night, and the Rapido circuit party takes place on Sunday. This year, the Pride Weekend will be held from August 5-7. www.amsterdamgaypride.nl
SOUTH AFRICA
JOHANNESBURG
In 1990, Johannesburg hosted the first ever gay and lesbian pride parade in Africa. Fewer than 1,000 people took part in the event, and many hid their faces with masks or paper bags out of fear. Today, Joburg Pride has become the largest gay pride on the African continent. On Saturday October 1, the colorful celebration will mark its 22nd birthday with a large parade and a day of festivities at Zoo Lake Sports Club. Outlandish floats, local artists and DJs, and a number of vendors selling goodies and providing information will take part in the event. Use the opportunity to learn more about the pressing issue of LGBT rights in South Africa and across the entire African continent. www.joburgpride.org
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