News
Rainbow PRIDE Bratislava with mayor's approval kicks off with same-sex marriages
(BRATISLAVA, 3th May 2012) This year's Rainbow PRIDE Bratislava starts 9th June at 1 p.m. at Námestie Slobody. The event, with the approval of the mayor Milan Ftáčnik, will begin with an opening ceremony with three symbolic marriages on the podium. Three couples – male, female, and male-female - will say their “I do's“ together to point out the absence of laws for LGBT people and to publicly celebrate their partnerships.
„We're enjoying the support of Mr. Ftáčnik for the second year. We think it's one of the most important signals that the local government could send towards its citizens. Bratislava thus becomes an open European city represented by a mayor who supports minorities and disadvantaged groups. We appreciate this position,“ says Romana Schlesinger, the event's director.
Rainbow PRIDE Bratislava will also be supported by several foreign embassies, Members of the European Parliament and dozens of public figures of Slovak culture and public life who endorse the event's message, including Judita Hansman, Kristína Farkašová, Nikita Slovák, Ivan Binďo Bindas, Michael Szatmary, Oľga Záblacká, Erik Binder, Martin Poliačik, Juraj Droba and musicians such as Milan Konfáter Band, Hugo Čávez Band, Billy Barman, Vanda, Miss Angelika, Boboš Procházka, Marek Wolf, band Afro Campana and others. „More and more people are voicing their support of Rainbow PRIDE. Some speak up on their own because they feel the need to attach their name to our efforts and goals. We're happy for their support and for the fact that increasingly more people share the values of an open society and equal rights for everyone,“ says Andrea Fridmanská, production manager of music at Rainbow PRIDE.
The series of events accompanying Rainbow PRIDE Bratislava begins 25th May at 6 p.m., when the members of the LGBT community join the monthly cycling event Critical Mass. The event starts at Námestie SNP. Foreign ambassadors, Slovak celebrities and other public figures will be pedaling in the name of PRIDE. This event is, like Rainbow PRIDE and its Week of accompanying events, open for public.
Rainbow PRIDE Bratislava 2012 is a Slovak pride march for equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. It is organised by the civic association Queer Leaders Forum together with a group of independent activists.
WHEN and WHERE: 9th June 2012 at 1 p.m. at Námestie Slobody in Bratislava
Cycling event: Námestie SNP, 25th May at 6 p.m.
Accompanying events: The week from 2th June to 8th June in KC Dunaj, Bratislava
After Party PRIDE: 9th June at 8 p.m. in KC Dunaj
