It’s June and that means one thing, it’s International Pride Month!
The celebration of LGBTQ+ equality dates back to the Stonewall riots in June 1969, when activists from the Stonewall bar fought back against police raids in New York City. This paved the way for the equality of LGBTQ+ people in the United States and the western world. As a result, Pride events have been held every June to recognise the equality of LGBTQ+ people worldwide and to raise awareness of the challenges and discrimination many still face today.
This year marks 55 years of Pride following the events at Stonewall, and there is no doubt that Pride across the globe will be bigger and better than ever during this milestone celebration. Promoting a simple message, “love not hate”, Portugal, along with many other countries, will burst out in colour to celebrate pride with events planned throughout the month across the country.
With its laid-back lifestyle, it should be no surprise to learn that Portugal’s LGBTQ+ rights are some of the most advanced in the world. After a long period of oppression, attitudes have changed over the years, making Portugal increasingly accepting of the LGBTQ+ community since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1982. Portugal became one of the first countries to contain a ban on discrimination against sexual orientation in its constitution and the eighth state in the world to recognise same-sex marriage in June 2010. Article 13 of the Portuguese Constitution reads:
“No one may be privileged, favoured, prejudiced, deprived of any right or exempted from any duty for reasons of ancestry, sex, race, language, territory of origin, religion, political or ideological beliefs, education, economic situation, social circumstances or sexual orientation.”
Next year, Lisbon will host EuroPride 2025, the first Portuguese-speaking city to host the annual event, which will further boost Portugal’s accepting attitude towards sexual minorities. In 2019, Portugal was voted one of the world’s most gay-friendly destinations in a poll organised by Spartacus Guide, sharing the same position as Sweden and Canada.
While keeping the original context of fighting for equality, Pride welcomes everyone to come together to celebrate diversity. Of course, it also allows for a good reason to party. So whether you are staying in the Algarve or venturing further afield during the first month of summer, there are plenty of events to keep you occupied.
Faro Pride [8 June 2024]
This year, the Algarve’s very own fifth annual Pride event will take place on 8 June in the region’s capital of Faro. Starting with a Pride march (Marcha do Orgulho) at 3 pm, the colourful display of rainbow flags, artists, and musicians will make its way along Avenida 5 de Outubro and through Faro’s old town on Rua de Santo Antonio before ending at the marina where a host of musical talent, DJs and maybe even a drag show or two will lighten up the festivities, entertaining revellers right through the night.
For info visit Instagram: @marchalgbtqialgarve
Arraial Lisbon Pride Village [22 June 2024]
Arguably the largest Pride event in Portugal, Lisbon’s Pride Village kicks off at midday on 22 June in the heart of the city at Terreiro do Paço. Hosting a combination of political rallies and parties, the city’s biggest and most colourful festival will bring together an impressive line-up of guest DJs, bands and speciality acts to celebrate not only the diversity of the capital but the country as a whole right through to 3 am. First celebrated in 1997, the capital’s Pride has evolved into an extravagant summer event, welcoming over 70,000 Pride enthusiasts each year, making it one of the city’s largest annual highlights.
For info visit: www.ilga-portugal.pt
Évora Pride [ 3–9 June 2024]
This year, the capital of Alto Alentejo will be holding its second annual Pride from 3–9 June, featuring a range of concerts, debates, films and exhibitions showcasing the fight for equality, along with a special exhibit titled Love and Hate. The highlight of the week-long event is, of course the Pride march, which will take place on Praça do Giraldo at 5 pm on 8 June, featuring LGBTQ+ organisations, groups and party-loving individuals in a colourful display of celebration, highlighting the diversity of the city.
For info visit Instagram: @evora_pride
Porto Pride Fest [12 & 13 July 2024]
One could say this is the Pride of the North, when Porto paints the streets in every colour of the rainbow for its very own Pride celebration. Starting at 6 pm on 12 July with a range of concerts, drag shows and DJs performing at Parque da Pasteleira, the event will run late into the night, showcasing a range of local and national talent. The party continues on 13 July with more music and entertainment on Praça da República, where the annual Pride march departs at 3 pm. The march will follow through Gonçalo Cristóvão viaduct, Santa Catarina before ending at Jardim da Cordoaria where the reading of the manifesto will take place.
For info visit: www.portopride.com
LGBTQ+ bars:
For those of you looking for somewhere to dance the night away, be sure to check out the Algarve’s LGBTQ+ friendly bars. The three most established bars include Loft in Portimão, Connection Bar in Albufeira, and Prestige in Faro. Each is unique, and with a host of events lined up during Pride month and throughout the year, there’s something for everyone, so do keep an eye out on social media for up-and-coming events and maybe even a drink promotion too.
Pride itself is a time to celebrate diversity, equality and love, and what better way to celebrate than here in Portugal, a country that offers safety to all regardless of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation. While much has still to be done, Portugal, along with many countries around the world, is working hard to make a safer, non-judgemental environment in a world which we all must share. It was in 2015, when the Portuguese Parliament unanimously approved a measure that would recognise 17 May as National Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. The Portuguese parliament stated that it was committed to “engage in fulfilling national and international commitments to combat homophobic and transphobic discrimination”, thus paving the way for an equal society.
Please check with local media as events may be subject to change at short notice.
Did you know…
Did you know that the largest Pride event in the world is held in São Paulo, Brazil and attracts over three million people annually?
Main photo: Pride Parade LGBTI+ Lisbon, June 2022 © Ana Mendes Esquerda.net, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Pure Love
A poem to mark Gay Pride month by Sáor-Íde Dolan
In the vast expanse of the world,
two souls found solace
In the embrace of each other, they discovered love’s grace
Two young girls, with hearts full of hope and desire
Unsure of the future, but certain of their fire
They met by chance, in a world that seemed so cruel
But in each other’s presence, they found a precious jewel
Their love bloomed like a flower in
the spring
A fragile thing, yet so powerful and awe-inspiring
They danced under the moonlight,
hands intertwined
Their laughter echoing through the night, so pure and divine
Together they roamed the streets,
carefree and unafraid
In their own little world, where love never fades
As they gazed into each other’s eyes, they saw their dreams
A future filled with love, and endless streams
Of joy and happiness, of laughter and tears
They faced the unknown, hand in hand,
without fears
Their love was a beacon, shining so bright in the dark
A guiding light, leading them on their path
Through trials and tribulations,
they stood strong
Their love was their anchor, their hearts beating as one
They faced adversity, prejudice and hate
But their love was a shield,
protecting them from fate
They stood tall, against the world’s cruel gaze
Their love was their strength in their turbulent days
They knew that their love was forbidden, in the eyes of many
But to each other, they were everything, their love pure and plenty
They defied the norms, the rules
and the hate
For their love was true and it was their fate
As they grew older, their love only deepened
Like a well that never runs dry,
forever unbidden
They faced the challenges of life,
hand in hand
Their love enduring, like the
shifting sand
And so their love story continues,
a tale of two hearts
Bound together by love, never to part
Two young girls, falling in love with each other
A love so pure, a love like no other.
