Whether strutting my stuff at Sydney Mardi Gras, co-ordinating entries for Melbourne Pride March, marching in Perth Pride or simply being a spectator, I never tire of the emotional thrill large displays of GLBTIQ Pride give me.
I still get butterflies in my stomach when I hear the revving engines of the Dykes on Bikes and tears in my eyes when I see mums, dads and grandparents supporting P-Flag. I own an extensive range of rainbow accessories, and I’m not opposed to wearing them all at once!
Because of this obsession, it’s always been a dream of mine to experience GLBTIQ Pride in other parts of the world. A dream I finally fulfilled in 2006 with a trip through Europe…
The major European Pride festivals are held during the summer months (June-August). With most large cities hosting GLBTIQ events, many on the same weekends, it is impossible to get to them all, but here’s a few of the highlights.
Marche des Fiertes (Paris – last weekend in June)
Paris Pride (or Marche des Fiertés) is one of the first events on the European GLBTIQ calendar, and in terms of participant numbers, one of the biggest (official numbers state that 700,000 people took part last year). Usually held on the last weekend in June, Paris’ display of Pride is epic not just in size, but in length and time.
The march snakes its way through the very heart of Paris from Montparnasse in the south to Bastille in the north, over the Seine and along some of the city’s most famous and historic streets. If you are familiar with Paris (or if you aren’t, but can look at a map of the city), you will see that this is possibly one of the longest parade routes ever! The march kicks off at 1.30pm and does not arrive at its destination until after 6pm.
There seem to be two main types of parade organisation when it comes to GLBTIQ Pride – a spectators event, with floats and groups needing to be registered beforehand and an inclusive ‘march’ in which people are encouraged to join in and be a part of the festivities. Paris’ Pride is the all-inclusive type. Of course, you can sit by and watch or cheer on the parade, but I found it much more exciting to get in amongst it and walk the entire parade route in 40-degree heat!
If the walk doesn’t kill you, there is a huge party with live music, food and dancing at the finish line – Place de la Bastille. From there, it is only a short walk to the Marais district (or two stops on the Metro if your feet have been punished enough). The Marais, or fourth arrondissement, is the centre of the GLBTIQ community in Paris and where most of the gay and lesbian pubs and clubs are found. On the evening of the Marche des Fiertés, the Marais is closed off to traffic and the parties spill out from the clubs and bars into the streets.
Pride London (London – first weekend in July)
On the first weekend in July, Pride London also covers some famous and historic ground as it makes its way down Oxford and Regent Streets, through Piccadilly Circus and onto the numerous after-parties in amazing locations such as Trafalgar, Leicester and Soho Squares. Pride London is a registered parade, so unless you are super-organised and can join a group beforehand, it is best to sit back and enjoy the spectacle of elaborate floats and entries.
Many of London’s gay and lesbian clubs and bars are in the charming area of Soho and that is where the biggest number of revellers head after the parade. The fenced-off gardens of Soho Square are a very popular spot and can take ages to get into. For those too impatient to wait, there is plenty of fun and entertainment in the surrounding streets, from stalls to live bands, drag performances and a women’s stage.
Amsterdam Pride (Amsterdam – first weekend in August)
If I had to pick my absolute favourite GLBTIQ Pride in Europe, it would be Amsterdam Pride. Not only are the floats some of the most elaborate I’ve ever seen, the parade is unique in that it travels along the city’s canals rather than its streets. Amsterdam is pretty gay-friendly all year round, but for the first weekend in August, it feels like the whole city turns gay! Unlike all the other Pride festivals I’ve been to, the street parties and concerts after the parade are not restricted to one or two areas, they spread far and wide across every part of the city.
For days before the actual parade, rainbow bunting criss-crosses the streets, and the cafes and bars proudly hang flags and other rainbow decorations. The atmosphere is electric. There are a host of organised dance parties, including the White Party, the Furball (hairy men’s party) and the Empire leather party, but with so many free events, you needn’t spend a lot of cash to have a great night. Reguliersdwarsstraat, Amstel, Westermarkt and Rembrandtplein are just some of the locations to head to after the parade.
Westermarkt is the location of the famous Homomonument – a memorial to those gays and lesbians killed and oppressed under Hitler’s regime. While the street party in this square is fantastic fun, the monument is worth re-visiting a few days later once the crowds have gone.
Other GLBTIQ Pride events worth putting on the “rainbow tour†are Brighton Pride (late July) in the south of England, Christopher Street Day (mid-August) in Munich and Roma Pride (mid-June) in Rome.
There are many useful websites to help plan your rainbow holiday.
For useful links to accommodation, travel and maps, plus all the info on the individual Pride parades and festivities:
Links to many European Pride celebrations:
