Despite regional and national differences common in the European context, all four bids for the pan-European LGBTI+ event ‘EuroPride’ in 2027 are clear that protest remains at the very heart of the Pride movement, and is more important now than it has been for many years.

Bids from ACOGAT Torremolinos Pride (ES), Coordinamento Torino Pride (IT), LGL / Baltic Pride (LT) and Pride in Gloucestershire (UK) are published today by the European Pride Organisers Association (EPOA), which licenses the event, ahead of a conference in Porto (PT) in November at which the winner will be selected.

Lenny Emson (he/him), President of EPOA, said today: “The rights of liberties of LGBTI+ people are at risk everywhere in Europe, and we are already seeing governments rolling back on our rights despite vocal opposition. The four bids published today demonstrate that in the bidding nations of Spain, Italy, Lithuania and the UK our community is concerned but determined to fight back.”

“Prides in Europe have, since the early 1970s, brought the right for LGBTI+ equality on to the streets, and they continue to do so. Those who think that Pride has lost its meaning or has become politically muted should read these bids and see that, at every corner of Europe, protest is in our heart and in our lungs. Wherever EuroPride takes place in 2027 we are sure to be out, loud and proud.”

Jose Ignacio Martínez Pérez (he/him), President of ACOGAT Torremolinos Pride (ES), said:

“The history of Torremolinos, for more than 100 years, has been going through waves of avant-garde, freedom, multiculturalism and diversity. Many don´t know that the city was home to the first gay bar in Spain or the repression of police raids during the dictatorship, and yet, since those difficult times, freedom for the LGBTIQ+ community has flourished. All this on the Mediterranean Sea coast, which is an ancient symbol of freedom and communication between cultures. Torremolinos’ candidacy to host EuroPride 2027 synthesizes all this history, values and social awareness. Because Torremolinos was, and is, a ‘coast of freedom’.”

Alessandro Battaglia (he/him), Spokesperson for Coordinamento Torino Pride (IT), said:

“We are living in a very difficult and worrying historical moment and for this reason we are very proud of the work we have done to deliver the Torino Pride Bid for the candidacy for EuroPride 2027. It has been intense and fruitful and confirms our commitment to gaining Equality and Freedom for all and to our fight for all LGBTQIA+ lives. This candidacy has been and will be the new impetus to courageously continue to aim as high as the structures of our logo and our Mole Antonelliana. We must continue to do it United and Together.”

Vladimir Simonko (he/him), Executive Director of LGL (LT), said:

“The slogan of our EuroPride 2027 bid ‘free to be (yourself)’ encapsulates the spirit of the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy: Building a Union of Equality where you are free to be yourself. EuroPride  in Vilnius would coincide with the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU highlighting the integrity of LGBTIQ+ rights on both national and European levels. It is symbolic that Vilnius applied to host EuroPride while celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Baltic Way, a peaceful political protest in which a human chain spanned the three Baltic countries and sent a strong message of freedom for divided Europe.”

Richard Stevens (he/him), Chairperson of Pride in Gloucestershire (UK), said:

“The UK stands at a pivotal moment in its LGBTQ+ history. The hard-won progress of the past two decades faces increasing challenges from a rising tide of extremism. As a new UK government seeks to redefine its relationship with Europe, EuroPride 2027 offers an unparalleled opportunity to drive meaningful progress for LGBTQ+ people. Our vision for EuroPride 2027 is to create a lasting legacy that extends beyond Gloucestershire and the UK, impacting the LGBTQ+ community across Europe. We are committed to involving, including, sustaining, and empowering our community, delivering a powerful message: You Are The Voice!”