Pride of Europe
Pride of Europe: for equal rights, for diversity!
United in diversity – that is the motto of the European Union (EU), and it explicitly refers to the rights of minorities such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI). For decades, the EU, based on the ideals of a free and open society, has been a driving force for equality for LGBTI people and was the first international organization to recognize discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. In doing so, it set standards worldwide: LGBTI rights are human rights.
The campaign: Let’s be the Pride of Europe!
In times of increasing nationalism, these values and rights are being questioned more openly and profoundly in some EU member states. With the Pride of Europe campaign, Pulse of Europe draws the attention of the European public to the sometimes massive violations of the rights of LGBTI persons, especially in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, and actively supports the LGBTI and human rights movements in the affected countries. Let’s be the Pride of Europe!
The campaign has been running since 2019 and was launched against a backdrop of numerous discriminatory actions. For example, in 2019, many cities and towns in Poland declared themselves “LGBTI-free zones.” In Hungary, the rights of this community have been gradually restricted for years. Most recently, the Budapest 2021 Parliament passed an anti-LGBTI law that restricts young people’s information rights regarding homosexuality and other sexual minorities.
It is true that, under financial pressure from the EU, some Polish regions have since revoked this status. And the Hungarian government, which scheduled a referendum on the law after massive criticism from the EU, also failed with this vote in April 2022. But this hardly changes the difficult situation of the LGBTI community in these countries: As before, this minority in Eastern and Southeastern Europe needs our full solidarity.
Set a sign with our European Rainbowflag
As a visible sign of our support, we developed the Europe Rainbow Flag in 2019 and raised donations of around 28,000 euros via crowdfunding on the Kickstarter platform, spreading this flag around the world. Over 1000 people have supported this action.
Originally, the plan was to use the proceeds from the campaign to fly the flag for LGBTI rights and solidarity with the community at Pride parades in Eastern and Southeastern Europe. But due to the Corona pandemic, no parades could take place in 2020 and 2021. That’s why in 2020, together with the organization Allout, we launched the petition “To Poland with Love”, calling on European cities to show solidarity with the affected minority in LGBTI-free zones in Poland. More than 70,000 signatures were collected. And in 2021, during Europe Week in May, we set a sign of solidarity with the European Rainbow Flag all over Europe. It was hoisted in front of city halls, city parliaments and other central places. A total of 19 cities with 55 sister cities in 13 EU countries and the United Kingdom participated.
Our European-Rainbowflag can still be ordered for 20,00 € per piece(plus shipping costs to all EU countries) by e-mail(pride@pulseofeurope.eu) at our PoE office.
Participate
Join us in ensuring that there will be a united Europe in the future. Democratic principles such as respect for human dignity, the rule of law, freedom of thought and action, tolerance and respect must remain self-evident foundations of the European community. We stand up for this Europe and for that we need you too!