Pride Life is honoured to be proud partners of WorldPride and EuroGames, UKPON (the UK Pride Organisers Network), EPOA (the European Pride Organisers Association), and IGLTA (the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association). We work together to amplify the voices and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community across the globe and to stand up for social equality and diversity worldwide.
Our mission is to stop “pink washing” and to support inclusion with genuine organisations and groups that want to promote best practice, inclusion and diversity both internally and externally.
Global Partners
WorldPride and EuroGames
Welcome to Copenhagen 2021, the most significant LGBTI+ event in 2021 combining WorldPride, EuroGames, an eclectic arts and culture program, and the biggest ever LGBTI+ human rights forum. And #YouAreIncluded!
For decades Denmark has been amongst the most progressive nations in the world for LGBTI+ equality. We decriminalised homosexuality in 1933. Gender confirmation surgery first took place here in 1951. We introduced anti-discrimination legislation in 1987 and two years later legalised same-sex partnerships. More recently, in 2014, we became the first country to allow a legal change of gender without requiring prior medical approval, and in 2017 were the first to remove being transgender from the list of mental illnesses. We know Denmark has further to go but equality and human rights are in our DNA.
Sweden is also known as one of the most progressive countries in the world for LGBTI+ rights. We decriminalised homosexuality in 1944. In 1972, Sweden became the first country in the world to legally allow sex reassignment surgery. Discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression became illegal in 1987. More recently, in 2013, the requirement of sterilisation to change one’s legal gender was abolished. What makes Sweden one of the most LGBTI-friendly countries is that people continue to press for further improvements in LGBTI+ equality.
WorldPride
Twenty-five years after the first Copenhagen Pride, we will host WorldPride to celebrate and advocate for LGBTI+ equality worldwide. We’ll bring as many as 750,000 people to Copenhagen and Malmö (in Sweden, just a 20 minute journey across the iconic Øresund Bridge) for two Parades, signature parties, and opening and closing ceremonies at Rådhuspladsen – where that first civil partnership was celebrated back in 1989.
EuroGames
Six thousand athletes will join us to participate in the biggest EuroGames ever, with tournaments taking place in 29 different sports. Tournaments are open to spectators, and visitors can also take part in the ‘Sports to the People’ program of ‘drop-in’ sports including Drag Olympics, roller-skating, bicycle workshops and rainbow family sports.
The Sports Leader Conference will empower LGBTI+ sports groups to foster more inclusivity, and the Sports Village at Islands Brygge will be an open space for people to meet, engage in street sports, celebrate achievements and watch on big screens.
Arts & Culture
Across both cities the Arts & Culture program will include more than 100 events and four spaces curated by our own team:
‘Fluids’ at Gammel Strand, a space for embracing the fluidity within gender identity, expression and sexuality
‘Arcadia’, a sensory recluse at Rådhushaven
‘Centre of Attention’ at Huset-KBH and Vandkunsten for under 18s
‘Rainbow Children’ at BLOX, a space for breaking the binary in the most playful way for children and their families.
Human Rights Forum
The Human Rights Forum includes an opening event at UN City, a three-day Human Rights Conference at Øksnehallen, a five-day public participation event based on the Danish ‘Folkemødet’, an Assembly for parliamentarians at Christiansborg Palace, and a Summit on Refugees, Borders and Immigration taking place in Malmö.
#YouAreIncluded … and invited!
Through these four pillars of our event we’ll show that no matter who you love or how you identify, #YouAreIncluded at Copenhagen 2021.
The European Pride Organisers Association (EPOA)
About us
The European Pride Organisers Association (EPOA) is the network of European lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) Pride organisations.
Our history
We were founded in 1991 in London as a joint initiative of the Prides of Amsterdam, Berlin and London. Over the 28 years that followed, EPOA has consistently grown and now has more than 90 member organisations in over 30 countries.
Our work today
We hold the rights to the trademark EuroPride and our purpose of EPOA is to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Pride on a pan-European level and to empower and support local and national pride organisations in their efforts of planning and promoting Pride both as a celebration but also as a vital human rights movement. EPOA also works to facilitate networking and skill-sharing among members and we do this through our AGM and annual conference, and other trainings, seminars and webinars. We also advocate for the Pride movement at national and international level, including at the European Parliament.
The UK & Pride Organisers Network (UKPON)
The UK & Pride Organisers Network (UKPON) formed to bring Pride organisers together to share knowledge and experiences, to support each other, and to encourage a diverse and vibrant Pride movement around the UK.
Founded in 2016, the Network is powered by volunteers with an elected Board, inspires an identity of Pride that continues to flourish, and offers resources and advocacy for Members.
All Pride organisations are eligible to be members. New Prides are invited to be a part of the Network and have the option to register as voting members. Currently there is no membership fee, all you have to do is complete our membership application form
UKPON is an Associate Member of the European Pride Organisers Association and InterPride, and a member of the LGBT Consortium and ILGA Europe.
If you are planning to organise a Pride event and would like more information about becoming a Member of UKPON, please email board@ukpride.net
Let us know what you’re planning – please send all press release information to media@ukpride.net.
Membership of UKPON is available to any organisation that has produced a Pride event or plans to produce a Pride event in the UK within the previous or forthcoming calendar year and is open to anyone who is interested in furthering its purposes, and who, by accepting membership, has indicated its agreement to become a member and acceptance of the duty of members
The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA)
LGBTQ+ Travelers are Welcome Here.
IGLTA, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association was founded in 1983 and is the world’s leading network of LGBTQ+-welcoming tourism businesses. We provide free travel resources and information while continuously working to promote equality and safety within LGBTQ+ tourism worldwide. IGLTA’s members include LGBTQ+-friendly accommodations, transport, destinations, service providers, Travel Advisors, tour operators, events and travel media located in over 75 countries.
Our Mission
The mission of IGLTA is to provide information and resources for LGBTQ+ travelers and expand LGBTQ+ tourism globally by demonstrating its significant social and economic impact.
