Wanderlust

Ten Euro Prides To Blast Off Summer 2012

With the seriously un-fun May Day protests behind it for another year, Europe’s now ready to get down to the important business of wanton revelry and its first major round of 2012 pride celebrations. From Athens and Riga to Gothenburg and Gran Canaria, Euroqueers will take to the streets—and dance floors—over the next several weeks to celebrate being out and proud.

Here’s a look at what’s on tap across the continent from now through early June.

Click through for more details on Pride festivals across Europe

Image by zugaldia

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEdUOUAGRu0#!

Maspalomas GayPride
Gran Canaria, Spain
May 7 to 12

Spain’s second largest LGBT pride event after Madrid, Gran Canaria’s Maspalomas GayPride is a week-long homofest that includes a slew of parties (e.g., beach, pool, and foam) and a drag diva gala. Saturday’s parade is followed by a dance and performance extravaganza that’ll this year feature Swedish DJ/singer Basshunter and Colombian/Dutch singer Jody Bernal.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NBZ4BPjuAI

The Pride
Brussels, Belgium
May 11 to 13

The 17th edition of  The Pride (with the slogan “Visible Citizens: I Want to Be! Do You?”) kicks off with a Friday-evening street party, followed by Saturday’s PrideVillage, parade, DJ sets, performances and dance parties.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4QYk7PF2UE

CSD Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf, Germany
May 25 to 28

The highlight of Düsseldorf’s extended weekend Pride celebration is Sunday’s “demo parade,” which follows along the banks of the Rhine and by city hall. A big gay German street party follows.

 

Ljubljana Pride
Ljubljana, Slovenia
May 26 to June 2

Slovenia’s main Pride celebration is a week-long affair that includes several theater and music performances. Saturday afternoon’s pride parade is the main event, followed by DJ sets and a dance party.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9-cngwMg-w

Athens Pride
Athens, Greece
June 9

The largest gay celebration in southeast Europe, Athens Pride expects some 12,000 attendees to come out for this year’s parade on late Saturday afternoon. Berlin’s Männer-Minne gay men’s chorus kicks things off.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_EQ5SB-nfA

Rainbow Pride Bratislava
Bratislava, Slovakia
June 9

Bratislava’s first pride in 2010 was marred by violence, but last year Amnesty International got involved and Slovak police were better prepared to protect participants. This year’s event promises to be the largest, safest and best Slovakian Pride event yet.

 

 

Baltic Pride
Riga, Latvia
May 30-June 2

Despite the fact that Riga’s city council is now considering a “homosexual propaganda” ban similar to the one in St. Petersburg, Baltic Pride will return to the Latvian capital this year after its 2011 incarnation in Tallinn, Estonia.

Image via Facebook

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TSHRYnR7ng

CSD Dresden
Dresden, Germany
May 26-June 3

Under the slogan “Same obligations = Same rights,” the Saxon capital’s pride is, as usual, an action-packed week of events, including workshops, religious services, a street festival, performances, leather and gender-f*ck parties, and a closing “CSD Motorcycle Ride for All.”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcXSUgWLkTU

HBTQ Festivalen
Gothenburg, Sweden
May 30-June 3

This Swedish city hosts its annual queer festival at the end of May, with performances, parties and a Rainbow Parade through town on Sunday afternoon.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuaJejS0zn4

Warsaw Pride
Warsaw, Poland
June 2

Home to the continent-wide EuroPride in 2010, Warsaw presents Eastern Europe’s biggest pride, with thousands annually taking part in the Polish capital’s Equality Parade.

 

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