Rome Pride: your love is as eternal as Rome

Written by our teacher Valentina Consoli

The year 1994 is remembered by many: Rome welcomes its first proud Pride! One of the most colorful, courageous, passionate and international celebrations in the world.

On July 2, 1994, Mario Mieli's Circle of Homosexual Culture took to the streets the first Italian "Gay Pride" parade. Thus, like other European and American cities, Rome waves rainbow flags. Moving them is pride, the desire not to hide, unity and the desire to "Make Noise." "Noise" is a reference to the song by Raffaella Carrà, an icon for the LGBT community, admired worldwide for her energy, courage and freedom.

Since then, amid bright colors and cheerful laughter, Roma Pride has become the center of activities and cultural events where people from all countries can meet, get to know each other, compare and love each other, without judgment or prejudice, without limits or boundaries! So it is that, thirty years after the first Italian Pride, on Sunday, June 15, at 4 p.m., a new lively parade of floats and dancers is ready to cross the Capital from Piazza della Repubblica to Viale delle Terme di Caracalla (in order: Via Cavour, Via Merulana, Via Labicana, Colosseum, Piazza di Porta Capena) amidst bright rainbow flags, hit hits and a magical atmosphere!

Once again this year there will be no shortage of godmothers: a figure from the world of entertainment, culture and activism in support of the parade and its values.
In 1994, the first female figure to stand up in court for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community was Emma Bonino, an Italian politician and activist. She joined organizer Vladimir Luxuria, a transgender icon in Italy.
In the following years, the role of godmother has been filled by singers such as Malika Ayane, Patty Pravo, Lady Gaga, Loredana Bertè; actresses such as Sabrina Ferilli, Cinzia Leone, Sabrina Impacciatore; showgirls such as Amanda Lear, Paola Barale and many others.

2024 is the year of Annalisa: Italian singer, third runner-up at the Sanremo Festival 2024. She will bring her songs on the Roma Pride love floats. The parade hosted by Rome is an unmissable opportunity to experience the city with fresh eyes and share the enthusiasm of the LGBTQ+ community!

So, on June 15, get ready to invade its streets with lots of energy and desire to shout to the world who you are! Rome events of the LGBTQIAK+ world are numerous: they want to draw attention to social issues, but also to bring people together, because "unity is strength."

Among the many gatherings are:
t1) he Photographic Exhibition "Pride and Memory" from June 10 to June 20 at the Museum of Rome, Trastevere: a more than current exhibition that traces the most important historical events of the LGBTQ+ movement in the Italian Republic.

2) The June 14 conference at 6 p.m. on "LGBTQ+ Rights in the World" at La Sapienza University: a meeting with activists engaged in today's challenges in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights worldwide, to reflect on gender identities and various diversities.

3) Those looking for a dash of "foreign love" in the Eternal City cannot miss the screening of "Pride" at Cinema Farnese on June 13 at 9 p.m. The film, winner of the "Queer Palm" award at the Cannes Film Festival, tells the story of the peaceful and solidarity alliance between LGBTQ+ activists and miners during the 1984 strike under Margaret Thatcher's government in Britain.

4) From Saturday, June 8 to Saturday, June 15, Coming out, a very popular discopub at the Coliseum, awaits you to dance in the name of free love among DJ sets and live drag shows.

5) On Saturday, June 15, from 10 p.m., everyone at "Rock Me Pride": the Pop Art-themed super party organized by Muccassassina (a reference point for Rome's LGBTQ+ community) to celebrate the Roma Pride Official Party at the Ippodromo delle Capannelle, one of the most summery and spacious nightlife locations in Caput Mundi, with Special Guest Annalisa, BigMama and many others!

Once again, Pride in the Capital is an anthem of pride.

It tries to turn the spotlight on issues we all hold dear: peace, equality, rights and the love we choose to give. As Sandro Penna said, "Happy he who is different, being he who is different!"

Are you ready to celebrate in the Eternal City? Remember: the open city, with its many colors, only lights up because of you!

If you are curious about the other events, visit romapride.it/pride-croisette to discover them all!

For the photos we thank @luluinitalia

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