“Pride is not simply a celebration. It is one of the most visible expressions of the freedoms that underpin democratic societies: the freedom to gather, the freedom to speak, and the freedom to be seen. For millions of people across Europe, Pride is what those freedoms look like in practice.”

These powerful words form part of an open letter to Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President and the EU leadership, to protect LGBTIQ+ Pride events and defend democratic freedoms across Europe. 

According to ILGA-Europe and the European Pride Organisers Association (EPOA) across the continent, Pride marches are increasingly facing political hostility, funding cuts, and unlawful restrictions. 

They explain: “These attacks are not isolated incidents, they are urgent warning signs of a broader democratic backsliding that threatens everyone's fundamental right to peaceful assembly and free speech.”

With the support of Hey Honey agency, the ‘Protect Pride, Protect Democracy’ campaign has launched with a call for support and to drive signatories to a petition to protect Pride.

The petition demands that the European Union clearly monitor, publicly rebuke, and financially penalise any Member State that attempts to restrict Pride. 

It calls on the European Union to do three things. Firstly, recognise restrictions on Pride as indicators of democratic backsliding, because attacks on Pride are often warning signs of broader attacks on democratic freedoms. 

Secondly, it calls on the European Union to monitor and publicly react to attacks on Pride as threats to democratic freedoms because the voice of the EU has weight.  

Finally, the campaign urges the EU to create greater protections for the right to peaceful assembly across Europe. Arguing that everyone deserves the freedom to gather, express themselves and be seen safely.

The State of Pride report underlines the hostility facing European Pride organisers. It reveals that 81% have experienced online hate speech against Pride team members and 63.3% report that it has increased over the last three years. 

Please click here to sign the open letter.