Former Vice President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and pop star Kesha are among the additional world leaders, allies and LGBTQ celebrities who are set to headline Global Pride 2020.
Organizers are also working with the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement to “amplify black voices, acknowledging the international response to the death of George Floyd and the unprecedented demand for racial justice,” according to a press release issued on Friday.
Natalie Thompson, the co-chair of the Global Pride organizing committee, talked about how important this partnership with Black Lives Matter is to her personally.
“As a Black woman in the LGBTQIA+ community, I feel we must confront the systemic racism and violence facing my Black brothers, sisters and non-binary siblings, in the larger culture and within the LGBQIA+ community,” she said in a press release. “I could not think of a larger platform than Global Pride to do this.”
Global public figures and LGBTQ allies are scheduled to speak, including Victor Madrigal Borloz, the UN’s independent expert on protection against anti-LGBTQ violence and discrimination. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is also slated to make an appearance.
Global Pride organizers announced more celebrities will join the extensive headliner list; including Todrick Hall, Adam Lambert, Rita Ora, Pussy Riot and Natasha Bedingfield.
Laverne Cox, a transgender actress and LGBTQ advocate, is also set to appear in “Disclosure,” Netflix’s new documentary on trans representation in television and film premiering on June 19.
Hall will be streaming the event on his personal YouTube channel, in addition to iHeartRadio and Global Pride’s channels.
Michelle Meow, the executive producer for Global Pride, said she is looking forward to bringing Pride to different countries, cities and regions around the world.
“50 years ago, grassroots organizations came together to plan the first Gay Liberation Day that changed the world, including the Daughters of Bilitis, Gay Liberation Front, Mattachine Society and Lavender Menace,” she said in a press release. “The production of Global Pride has been planned in the same grassroots manner, but with a 21st century technological twist. LGBTQIA+ people from around the world will come together virtually during this crisis of racial injustice and a pandemic.”
According to data collected by the European Pride Organizers Association, more than 500 Pride events have been canceled or postponed around the world. Many organizations have submitted content to be streamed at the 24-hour event, and Global Pride organizers are now sorting through 1,000 pieces of digital content.
All of the funds raised by Global Pride will be distributed to Pride organizations in financial need, according to event organizers. The event can be viewed online for free at globalpride2020.org and YouTube on June 27.
Story courtesy of the Washington Blade.