Copenhagen Pride is Denmark's largest annual Human Rights festival, focused on LGBTQ issues. It involves the entire capital Copenhagen and is held in August. A colourful and festive occasion, it combines political issues with concerts, films and a parade. The focal point is the City Hall Square in the city centre. From around 2012 the festival usually opened on the Wednesday of Pride Week, culminating on the Saturday with a parade. In 2017, some 25,000 people took part in the parade with floats and flags, and more than 300,000 people were out in the streets to experience it.[1]
In 2022, Copenhagen Pride takes place over nine days from Saturday 13 August to Sunday 21 August. This is the longest Copenhagen Pride except for when the city hosted EuroPride (1996) and WorldPride (2021).
In addition to the Copenhagen Pride, there is a smaller annual pride in Aarhus and the MIX Copenhagen LGBT film festival.
History
Copenhagen Pride began in 1996 when Copenhagen was the European Capital of Culture and hosted the EuroPride event. From 1998 onwards the festival was called Mermaid Pride and from 2004 onwards Copenhagen Pride. During the first years the festival was held in June, but in 1999 it was moved to August. The city's pride festival has been held every year since 1996, one of the outstanding events being held in connection with the World Outgames in 2009.[2] In addition to the summer festival, the first Copenhagen Winter Pride was held in February 2015. In 2017 Copenhagen Pride won the bid to host WorldPride in 2021 that was an 11-day celebration of love, equality and human rights. WorldPride 2021 was combined with EuroGames hosted by the LGBT sports organisation, Pan Idræt.
Chairpersons
1996: Michael Nord
1999: Alis Engberg
2000: Stine Ringvig
2001: Klaus Bondam/Helle Cobold
2002: Helle Cobold/John Møgelvang
2003 - 2004: John Bertelsen
2005 - 2006: Thomas Bilgram
2007: Morten Hougaard
2008: Martin Fønss Dufke
2008 - 2012: Ole Santos
2013–2021: Lars Henriksen
2021-: Lars Henriksen (Political Chairperson) and Benjamin Hansen (Organisational Chairperson)
The daily management of the organisation is led by a Head of Secretariat, currently Steve Taylor.
Presenters
Presenters for various shows during the Pride week.
2014: DJ Tonny Liljenberg, Thomas Buttenschøn, Lucaléy, Sada Vidoo, World of Girls, Garek, Mettro, Silje Svea og Lynx, Our Lady J, Basim, Zindy, Sassa, Holestar, Campari Camping, Luux, Cisilia, Hector Lopez, Sy Lee, Annella Zarina Luckcrown, Scarletta Jackson, Divet, Glamboy P (Patrick Spiegelberg), Megan Moore, Pink Pistols, Hvide Løgne, Chili Goes Chili, Fjer, Amanda Wium, Freja Kirk, Tek Yon, DJ Mai Schaarup, Conchita Wurst[20]
2015: Thomaz Ransmyr, Rickard Söderberg, Magnus Carlsson, Anna Book,[22] Silje Svea & Lynx, Jonas Hedqvist, Ida Corr, Dj Dragdaddy & The C.U.N.T. Collective, Clara Sofie, Patrick Spiegelberg, Campari Camping, Thomas Madvig & Simon Witzansky, Borneland - live, Megan Moore, Steed Lord, Bronx & Ashibah, MNEK, DJ Robin Skouteris,[23] Lighthouse X, O’HARA feat. Ramona Macho, Danny Polaris, Scarlette, Royal Feet Factory, Vinnie Who, Glitter Boys vs. Witzansky[24]