The countdown is on: EuroPride Vienna 2019 is only one month away and the preparations are going into the hot phase. From 1st to 16th of June, EuroPride Vienna will be the largest event of the European LGBTIQ community (LGBTIQ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer). With more than 50 different events, Austrian and international visitors will be offered a varied programme and will come together under the motto “together & proud”  for equality and acceptance of LGBTIQ people.

Away from stereotyped thinking “LGBTIQ people are only shrill and colourful”

EuroPride managing director Katharina Kacerovsky emphasizes the importance of eliminating prejudices and pigeonholing: “LGBTIQ people are present in every area of life and have different characteristics, attitudes or interests, just like everyone else. LGBTIQ people cannot be categorized. This is exactly what the EuroPride Vienna events show: whether for art and culture lovers, children and families, for sports enthusiasts or cinema fans”. In addition, this year the Life Ball will be included in the EuroPride programme. At the grand finale, the Rainbow Parade, life and love will be celebrated on 15 June and will be demonstrated for the equal rights of LGBTIQ people. With this variety of different events, visibility is to be ensured in all areas of life.

Strong partners for an important event

In addition to the funding of the City of Vienna, numerous cooperation partners such as Wien Energie, REWE Group, Erste Group, ÖBB, Arbeiterkammer, Gilead, Red Bull, Almdudler, Heineken, Schlumberger, Stolichnaya and Gordon’s Gin support EuroPride Vienna. Among other things, by sponsoring, special campaigns and events or by presenting themselves at a stand in the EuroPride Village. In doing so, they underline the growing importance of the Pride and are committed to the LGBTIQ community.

Furthermore, EuroPride Vienna and the companies maintain a close exchange in order to increase the visibility and sensitization of LGBTIQ people. For modern, open, future-oriented companies, diversity and the inclusion of all people is an essential part of the corporate culture and is seen as great potential for all. EuroPride Vienna considers itself in the role of combining business with activism so that both sides can seize new opportunities.

Vienna Pride becomes EuroPride Vienna

The EuroPride is the pan-European Pride-event and takes place in a different European country every year. It was brought to Vienna for 2019 by the Homosexual Initiative (HOSI) Vienna, which was able to convince the umbrella organisation of European Pride organisers with its event concept. Stonewall GmbH was founded especially for the organisation of EuroPride Vienna whose sole owner is the association HOSI Wien.

Thus Vienna Pride could be expanded from a four-day to a two-week event in the last two years. Since 2016, the number of visitors to the event as a whole and to the Rainbow Parade has risen by around 50 percent. Up to 1 million people from all over the world are expected to join forces and stand up for the rights of LGBTIQ people, take the opportunity for international networking and celebrate with pride. So many additional participants also mean longer preparations, which is why the registration deadline for contributions to the Rainbow Parade this time is already 15th of May – well over 300,000 people are expected to attend this event alone.

Open for the world together

EuroPride Vienna is organised in cooperation with numerous LGBTIQ organisations and hundreds of volunteers. Under the motto “together & proud” it stands for cosmopolitanism, acceptance and respect and calls for a common and proud stand for the rights of LGBTIQ people.

Information on the programme and registration for volunteers can be found at www.europride2019.at