Pride Celebrations Worldwide Will Likely Be Canceled Due to COVID-19
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As of today nearly one hundred gay pride celebrations have been cancelled globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interpride, the international gay pride organization wrote on its website that, “The increasing spread of the Coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic presents a major impact on LGBTI Pride events worldwide in 2020. InterPride is supporting all Pride Organizations by sharing resources & guidance, collating information, and coordinating a global response. InterPride is not a medical authority and can not provide clinical or medical advice. Pride Organizers are encouraged to read and follow the guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO) & any regional Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. Additionally, Prides should follow the advice and regulations from their respective national, state or provincial health authority on safety at public and major events. WHO have also published helpful recommendations for those planning mass gathering events, such as Pride. InterPride & our partners recommend that all Pride organisers have contingency plans in place should there be a need to postpone or cancel their event, and also consider the impact that public concern about coronavirus might have on volunteer recruitment, travel and other factors.”
“As we face an unprecedented global threat, our Pride movement will come together to support each other and create community at a time when we need it most” – Linda DeMarco
Learn more: https://t.co/RYAqDKsMC4
photo credit: https://t.co/YLSD5YqoNc pic.twitter.com/uTedj1Tnzd
— InterPride (@InterPride) March 20, 2020
Billboard reported: “With the vast majority of U.S. Pride celebrations slated for the months of June and July, L.A. Pride’s postponement might be a bellwether. Currently, most American Pride parades and festivals — including New York City’s — are moving forward with what San Diego Pride has described as “informed and cautious optimism.” But a source close to a different U.S. city’s Pride fest believes it will be nearly impossible for their summer celebration to go ahead as planned. To an extent, the writing is on the rainbow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo banned gatherings of more than 500 people in the state indefinitely, which makes the future of NYC’s globally-renowned gathering uncertain. Its organizers, however, remain undaunted.
Photo above: Brian Kyed@brnkd on Unsplash.
“New York City Pride is more than ever concerned with the safety and well-being of those who attend our events and programming,” says David Correa, interim executive director of NYC Pride. “We’re continuing to monitor the situation in New York as closely as possible and working with city agencies to stay abreast of what changes are happening. As of today, we are moving forward with our planning for June 2020 Pride.”
