Pride month amid the pandemic: Rainbow flags unfurl in offline and online events

Rainbow flags added colours of hope, and freedom globally during the Pride Month, celebrated in June each year. As the pandemic threatened to dampen festivities, virtual celebrations allowed people from all over the world to partake and rejoice in pride festivities.

In the latter half of the month, however, as countries across the globe began to ease lockdown restrictions, parades were held but with fewer numbers than usual due to the social distancing norms in place.

Global Pride: The world marches on, virtually
COVID-19 couldn't beat pride, as virtual celebrations were a huge hit. A livestream that lasted 24 hours was organised on June 27 as a part of Global Pride, with LGTBQIA+ communities from several countries, world leaders and artists being a part of the virtual parade.

Global Pride 2020 was organised as a solution to pride parades being cancelled worldwide (Credits: Instagram/globalpride2020)Tel Aviv: Soon to recognise same-sex unions
In honour of pride month, Mayor Ron Huldai, announced that Tel Aviv, Israel shall allow unmarried couples, including same-sex couples, to register as a union. The spirit of the Middle East's largest pride parade was kept alive by people flowing out into the streets with rainbow flags for a celebratory rally organised on June 28.

Tel Aviv citizens stepped out for a celebratory rally after Mayor Huldai's announcement

Pride power in Madrid
While the coronavirus scare had all of Spain's pride movement energy channelled into virtual events, no one could stop people in Madrid from attending the Critical Pride parade on June 28.

Madrid celebrated its Critical Pride parade with gusto

Taiwan celebrates pride and conquering COVID-19
Taiwan's capital Taipei was covered in rainbow hues so bright, not even the heavy rain could wash them away. Although the number of attendees were limited as compared to parades in the past, Taiwan was one of the few places in the world to have successfully beat coronavirus and allow its citizens to step out and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.

Rain did not stop citizens in Taipei from celebrating pride

New York City steps out to honour 50th pride parade anniversary
Despite the world's biggest pride parade being cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, New Yorkers stepped out to mark the 50th anniversary of the pride parade, which was first held on June 28, 1970. While there was a virtual pride rally organised instead of the actual parade, people still stepped out to celebrate the golden jubilee.

The New York Pride parade marked 50 years since its first rally

Sao Paulo lights up - with pride!
Since South America's biggest pride parade could not take place this year due to the pandemic, a Puerto Rican artist decided to light up Sao Paulo in the colours of the ‘The Global Rainbow’- an outdoor laser projection created by Yvette Mattern. The lights were projected into the Brazillian night sky to mark Gay Pride Parade Day on June 14.

'The Global Rainbow' created by the Peurto Rican artist Yvette Mattern
- Shivika.Manchanda@timesgroup.com & Eesha.Thorat@timesgroup.com


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