EuroPride 2027
Pride in Gloucestershire - Candidate Pride
What is EuroPride?
EuroPride, established in 1992, is a grand celebration of LGBTQ+ culture and rights that travels across Europe annually. It's a fusion of a pride march with an array of cultural, social, and advocacy events, drawing international attention.
Past hosts of EuroPride, including vibrant cities like Copenhagen, Vienna, and London, have seen attendance ranging from 30,000 to 600,000. Each EuroPride is flavoured by the host's unique offerings and the event's diverse program, showcasing cultural appeal on an international stage.
Why are Pride in Gloucestershire bidding?
LGBTQ+ life in the UK is at a crucial juncture, facing an alarming 8-year decline in the ILGA Europe Rainbow Rating – a trend that urgently needs reversing.
Our organisation's remarkable growth and success over the past four years, coupled with our positive impact on the Gloucestershire community, positions us ideally to extend our influence across the UK and Europe.
We believe our team, our values, and the way we work helps and enables us to match the amazing impact previous EuroPride hosts have been able to achieve. We want to start shifting the balance back for LGBTQ+ rights across the UK.
Aims of Our Bid
Our entire bid is based around a set of core aims and values that we carry forward through every part of our EuroPride. From the very first planning meeting, through to our programmed events, and forth to the legacy we will create.
These values are already at the heart of everything we do for our community, and we can’t wait to share this with the rest of Europe.
Why Gloucestershire?
Gloucestershire is perfectly located in the picturesque and well-connected West of the UK.
Gloucestershire's experience in hosting other world class events, including Cheltenham Festival, the Rugby World Cup, and Tour of Britain and Cheltenham Jazz and Literature festivals puts the county in good stead to host EuroPride, a globally renowned event.
Located close to Cardiff, Bristol, and Birmingham airports; and boasting a strong rail link to London and across the country, travelling to Gloucestershire is a breeze.
Previous Host Prides
EuroPride was inaugurated in London in 1992 and has been hosted in 17 unique cities across the years. EuroPride events have ranged from audiences of 3,000,000 in Madrid (2017) to an intimate 5,000 in Riga (2015).
The host locations for EuroPride since 2021 are:
- 2021 - Copenhagen
- 2022 - Belgrade
- 2023 - Valletta
- 2024 - Thessaloniki
- 2025 - Lisbon
- 2026 - Amsterdam
...and we're excited at the prospect of bringing EuroPride to Gloucestershire in 2027!
Our Journey So Far
We have traveled to several places in Europe to support and participate in various Pride events and promote our bid to host EuroPride.
Our journey has taken us to countries like Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Serbia. These visits have been instrumental in building global connections and showcasing our commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. Each location has offered unique experiences and opportunities to learn and share, furthering our mission to influence LGBTQ+ rights.
EuroPride 2024 Thessaloniki
EuroPride 2024 will hosted in Thessaloniki, Greece. Pride in Gloucestershire are excited to be attending and showing our support for the team in Thessaloniki and we look forward to seeing some of you there.
Magdeburg, Germany
We set our sights on Magdeburg, Germany, joining their pride celebrations and officially announcing our bid for EuroPride 2026.
The honor of connecting with Magdeburg Pride's committee and trustees further fueled our ambitions as we learned about their own bid for EuroPride 2025.
Copenhagen, Denmark
In Copenhagen, Denmark, we embraced the vibrant atmosphere of WorldPride 2021.
This global networking opportunity bolstered our commitment to fostering unity and acceptance on both local and global stages and it was a privilege to connect with pride organizers worldwide and share our aspirations for EuroPride.
National Pride Conferences
In October 2021, we hosted the UK Pride Organisers Conference in Cheltenham and journeyed to the CSD Network conference and Norwegian Pride Organizations gathering. These engagements allowed us to introduce our bid and connect with the LGBTQ+ community across Europe, expanding our reach and fostering meaningful connections.
Belgian Pride, Brussels
On May 21st, Jayjay and Richard embarked on a road trip to Brussels, Belgium, for Belgian Pride. Joining the vibrant parade alongside Antwerp Pride, we proudly marshaled their group and Samba Band. The turnout at the parade and festival was truly remarkable, creating an incredible atmosphere of celebration.
During this memorable Pride experience, we also had the opportunity to engage with community representatives, sharing the inspiring work we are doing in Gloucestershire. This exchange of ideas and connections strengthened our commitment to fostering unity and making a positive impact within the LGBTQ+ community.
Sofia, Bulgaria
During our tour, we had the privilege of attending Sofia Pride, the first Pride in a Hostile Environment. Despite the challenging circumstances, with a heavy police presence surrounding the site and march, it was truly inspiring to witness the gathering of so many individuals united in their pride.
At Sofia Pride, we lent our support to the British Embassy's stand and engaged with attendees, eager to learn about what Pride meant to them. These conversations allowed us to deepen our understanding and forge connections within the vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
In the face of adversity, Sofia Pride demonstrated the resilience and strength that comes from standing together. It was a powerful reminder of the transformative power of Pride celebrations and the importance of creating safe spaces for all.
Warsaw and Kyiv Pride
Jayjay attended Warsaw Pride, which also hosted Kyiv Pride's Freedom March. Engaging with Polish pride organizers and the Kyiv Pride team, he conducted a live interview with the Chair of Kyiv Pride on our Facebook Page. This exchange provided insights into the LGBTQ+ community in Ukraine and ways we can offer support.
Belgrade, Serbia - EuroPride 2022
Our visit to EuroPride 2022 in Belgrade left an indelible mark on our journey. Serbia and the Balkan region, known for their challenges regarding LGBTQ+ rights, provided the backdrop for this significant event. The decision to host EuroPride here aimed to generate international pressure for pro LGBTQ+ legislation and bring attention to the struggles faced by the community.
Days before the event, the March faced a ban. However, through a week of intensive lobbying and discussions involving the Serbian Government, EPOA, Belgrade Pride, the EU Commission, and various companies, the ban was eventually reversed, with police protection arranged. Despite instances of anti-LGBT+ violence, the majority of the Pride celebrations remained shielded from harm.
This experience served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing work needed to promote acceptance and equality, even in challenging environments. We continue to stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities worldwide, striving for progress and creating safer spaces for all.
Turin, Italy - EPOA AGM
Four members of the Pride in Gloucestershire team, including Chairperson Richard and Community Engagement lead Sophie, participated in the EPOA 2022 AGM held in Turin, Italy, in early October 2022. They had the opportunity to network with EPOA members from across Europe, witnessed bid presentations, and witnessed Lisbon being awarded the title of EuroPride 2025.
This experience provided a broader understanding of the significance of EuroPride in positively impacting diverse communities and regions throughout Europe.
Cologne, Germany - Cologne Pride 2023
Richard and Sophie took a trip to experience one of Germany's largest prides, in Cologne. We made great connections with German pride organisers, including Magdeburg, Dusseldorf, and Hamburg.
It was informative to speak to a local kink and fetish group in Cologne and discuss the different experiences of the community between Germany and the UK.
Valletta, Malta - EuroPride 2023
Richard, Sophie, and Sean visited Malta's EuroPride 2023 to show our support and network with European Pride organisers. We made some fantastic connections along the way, including Drachma, an organisation that advocates for LBGTQ+ families.
We were blown away by the Human Rights Conference and the inspiring talks and workshops.
Continuing our journey...
As we transition to the next stage of our detailed bid planning, exciting developments are underway. Behind the scenes, several research projects are taking place to support our bids, ensuring a strong foundation of knowledge and understanding.
Moreover, we are actively exploring the establishment of a governance structure that maximizes community engagement. By fostering inclusivity and collaboration, we aim to create a vibrant platform for our community's voices to be heard.
Pride in Gloucestershire is a registered charity in England and Wales (Registered Number: 1185201)