Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion: Rainbow Platform's Journey through Pride Events in 2023

Author Jason Frazer

In September's retrospective article on the Rainbow Platform's two-year journey, we explored various parts of our six distinctive programmes. Today, we turn the spotlight on a vital fourth initiative - our Pride Awareness Programme.

Empowered by the European Dialogue of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, this crucial programme capitalises on the diverse spectrum of Pride parades and events across Europe. Our mission is to organise small forum discussions on the significance of diversity in political representation, featuring local liberal representatives as speakers. The audience for these forums comprise of political activists and civil society actors gathered within the vibrant framework of Pride festivals.

As a convergence point, these forums unite liberal political figures, passionate activists, and dedicated members of civil society. Together, they delve into the dynamic topic of representation in politics and brainstorm strategies to enhance political inclusivity.

The programme's essence lies in spotlighting liberals as champions of political representation, igniting public debate on the critical issue of representation. Even in societies with LGBTQI+ political representatives, certain segments within the community remain underrepresented, notably queer women and transgender individuals.

As EuroPride 2023 drew to a close in Malta on September 16th, it provided us with a moment to reflect on this year's Pride season.

Valetta

Our most recent journey took us to the vibrant streets of Malta, where the LGBTQ+ community's spirit shone brightly. In collaboration with FNF Europe, we proudly organised our EuroPride event, advocating for greater diversity in politics.

The event proved to be an enlightening experience, characterised by impassioned discussions, moving stories, and a collective call for a more inclusive European political landscape.

Antwerp

In mid-August, we embarked on our pre-Pride march, beginning with a tour of Antwerp's City Hall, where we had the privilege of hearing from Vice Mayor Erica Caluwaerts. Invited by OpenVLD, we joined forces with our ambassadors and allies for three days of engaging discussions, hosting our second "Circles of Diversity Discussions" powered by the European Liberal Forum.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam welcomed us on a rainy weekend, as we joined our friends from VVD & D66 for the final boat of Amsterdam's Pride Parade, sailing through the city's enchanting canals. In the lead-up to Pride, we engaged in discussions with PRIDE66, accompanied by Dutch politicians Alexander Hammelburg and Carline van Breugel, exploring how local platforms expand the concepts of diversity and inclusion. Additionally, we met with VVD & D66 representatives in The Hague and had the privilege of listening to policymakers and key activists who made invaluable contributions to our cause.

Bratislava

In July, we connected with our ambassadors from Progresívne Slovensko for an engaging conversation about diversity, minority issues, and Slovakia's political landscape.

Budapest

Also in July, we hosted a sobering discussion on LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary, which scored only 30% in ILGA-Europe's 2023 Rainbow Index.

During a round table discussion with Katalin Cseh, a Member of the European Parliament from Momentum Mozgalom, we focused on the repercussions of Hungarian policies across Europe and it's their neighbours. The highlight of the event was our founder, Luis Cano, taking on the role of DJ for the Pride Parade.

Vienna

June marked the beginning of Pride Month, and we kicked off our Pride Programme in the picturesque Austrian capital. Hosted by NEOS and moderated by FNF Europe, we engaged in a lively forum discussion on diversity in European politics.

Through these diverse Pride events across Europe, we continue to champion diversity, inclusivity, and political representation, making strides toward a more equitable and inclusive future for Europe. Pride is impactful, and while certain countries in Europe are more LGBTQ+ friendly, there remains a lot of work to do for those that don't!

Be sure to catch up on some vital Pride events that we've attended this year. These are best seen on our Instagram and Twitter pages - so be sure to give us a follow.

Email us at hello@rainbowplatform.eu if you are interested in becoming a Rainbow Platform Ambassador or if you know someone who would like to be one.