100 Pride Events Have Been Cancelled — Here's What They're Doing Now

As the number of Pride events cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic reaches 100 worldwide, event organizers are refocusing their efforts to meet an entirely new set of challenges ahead. The International Association of LGBTI Pride Organizers (InterPride) and the European Pride Organisers Association announced they have teamed together to form the COVID19/Pride International Coordination Group to respond to the needs of the community at an international level during this crisis.

"Today brings the devastating news that the number of Prides cancelling or postponing because of COVID-19 will pass 100, and it's very clear that this pandemic is going to have a huge impact on our movement," Kristine Garina, President of the European Pride Organisers Association, said in a press release. "Right now we must all be focusing first on our own wellbeing and the welfare of those around us, but we are passionate about Pride and we will work together, and do all we can, to help Pride organisers get through this."

Made up of a number of various Pride groups and movements worldwide, the group planned on holding its first meeting today with regularly scheduled meetings going forward. Among the groups invited were Consolidated Association of Pride, CSD Deutschland, Fierte Canada Pride, UK Pride Organisers Network, and US Association of Prides. Each participating group will be asked to funnel the information gleaned from the meeting back to their members and communities.

In the U.S. Pride plans are certainly in flux. L.A. Pride has postponed its 50th anniversary and the first-ever Pride of the Americas, which was slated to take place in Fort Lauderdale, was fully cancelled. Other cities like New York City and San Diego are all moving forward cautiously, monitoring the situation.

Rather than dealing solely with matters pertaining to Pride events, the goal of the new group is to channel the combined resources to help the community weather the crisis together.

"As we face an unprecedented global threat, our Pride movement will come together to support each other and create community at a time when we need it most," said Linda DeMarco, Co-President of InterPride in the release.

InterPride has more information at their website. They also have an interactive map and spreadsheet of known changes to LGBTQ+ Pride events worldwide.

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