Portraits of Pride: What Pride means to people around the world

Published 5:06 PM ET, Wed June 24, 2020

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Drag artist Nina West says her first Pride was a pivotal moment in her life. "I remember how overwhelmed I was," she says, "and how I had no idea that this rich, immense, beautiful community existed." Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for VH1

Comedian and activist Bob the Drag Queen remembers one person who approached her during Pride. "Someone told me they drove four hours to be there. They told me, 'This is the only place and the only time of year I can hold my partner's hand and kiss my partner on the streets.' That's what Pride is all about," she says. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images North America/Getty Images

Carlos Castaño Rodriguez, a member of the LGBT Spanish Federation, says there is a responsibility for the LGBTQ community to celebrate Pride, especially for those who don't get to enjoy that freedom. "We can use our privilege to be visible. So those that do not have that privilege may feel less alone and may feel seen," Rodriguez says. Carlos Castaño Vocalía

The LGBTQ community's fight for equality is far from over. Jojó Majercsik, a spokesperson for Budapest Pride, says that transgender people are especially vulnerable, particularly in rural areas of Hungary. Jojó Majercsik

Julio Moreira is the director of Grupo Arco-Iris, a LGBTQ organization in Brazil. He says poor and Black members of the community there face even more discrimination. Denilson Vieira

Chris Frederick was the executive director of New York City's Pride celebration in 2019. The event also marked 50 years since the Stonewall Riots. "Pride is that one time of year where everyone comes together to raise up issues and amplify voices within our community," he says. BFA Agency - Kim Geronimo

Bodhi Calagna is an international DJ who recently came out as trans non-binary. "Even though Prides are canceled all over the world, [and even] if we don't have a place to go and fly our flags, you get all of us online together," Calagna says. "Pride just radiates even more." Bodhi Calagna

Activist Paulo Batista says his first Pride after his 2010 transition surgery was liberating. "I wanted to take my shirt off for the first time and not be scared. My scars were still kind of fresh," he remembers. Courtesy Paulo Batista

Mathieu Chantelois, the former executive director of Toronto Pride, says marking Pride virtually in 2020 is a unique opportunity. "We're not going to be thousands of people in the streets, but we're all going to be in front of our screens, and we will celebrate," he says. "We will be together. We are going to create a sense of belonging." Courtesy Mathieu Chantelois

Sara Cunningham started "Free Mom Hugs," a group of parents that provides hugs, love, and support for LGBTQ youth. "It's a matter of life and death that we find a way to celebrate our children or we will suffer with them through self-harm, alienation, or worse," Cunningham says. Rich Fury/Getty Images North America/Getty Images for GLAAD

Miss Peppermint marches in the LA Pride Parade on June 9, 2019. "Finding and seeking out community in any way that you can is essential," she says. "It's lifesaving." Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images North America/Getty Images