It’s June, so Pride is in the air everywhere we look! And isn’t it a gorgeous view? Today we dive deep into the history of Pride in Portugal and how this celebration continues to be a source of inspiration for the country’s LGBTI+ movement.

June is undoubtedly the most vibrant and empowering month of the year, as it marks Pride Month celebrations across the globe, including Pride Month in Portugal. Colourful, uplifting parades, festivals, and parties make this month’s calendar a never-ending spectacle. Commonly known as “Gay Pride”, LGBTI+ Pride Month is dedicated to elevating all LGBTI+ voices, culture, and rights.

June commemorates the years of struggle for civil rights and the ongoing pursuit of equal justice under the law for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, an other Queer individuals. 

But why is June the month of Pride? 

As writer Evan Katz would say, “Napkin on your lap, fork in hand, it’s time to dig in.” Although the pursuit of LGBTI+ rights reaches back to other centuries, with individuals subjected to public hostility, legal prosecution, and widely denied protection against discrimination in employment, housing, military service, and private and public services, it was only in the 20th century that we started to see a wave of organised activism to secure civil rights and freedoms for the Queer community.

Recognised worldwide, the event that catalysed the LGBTI+ rights movement occurred in June 1969. Following a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York, the Stonewall Riots (also called the Stonewall Uprising) provided a spark that ignited the LGBTI+ rights movement, not only in the United States but all over the world. 

The Stonewall Riots triggered a Queer revolution in the USA, leading to the first Pride Month ever in 1970, which was held as a pacifist march with no dress restrictions, where people could express themselves and their sexuality freely. Since then, Pride parades have been organised worldwide to stand against discrimination and violence towards the LGBTI+ community.

“Pride” was the name designated to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Since then, many other countries joined the movement and protest yearly with peaceful parades and celebrations for a more inclusive and progressive society.

Portugal: A change is gonna come. And it did!

Four years after the first Pride held in the USA, something happened in Portugal, that would change the country in unprecedented ways. At the time, the country was governed by the Estado Novo dictatorship, one of the longest authoritarian regimes in Europe in the 20th Century. But on the 25th of April 1974, the Carnation Revolution started as a military coup to topple the regime that, coupled with civil resistance, ended up receiving mass support from people on the streets.

A new wave of democracy was ushered in, censorship ended, political prisoners were freed, and free speech was allowed. Each year, Portugal celebrates Freedom Day on the 25th of April. And in 2023, we celebrated 49 years of freedom in all its magnificence, with people going out holding carnations in their hands! 

If you’re wondering, the name “Carnation Revolution” comes from Celeste Caeiro, who offered red carnations to the soldiers on the street while people celebrated the end of the dictatorship, which sparked others to do the same. As with the Stonewall Riots in the USA, the Carnation Revolution can be seen as a turning point for people to come together publicly to resist decades of oppression, discrimination, and violence.

So what happened next?

But despite the overthrow of Portugal’s dictatorship after a long period of oppression, the LGBTI+ community was still sparsely discussed until the Penal Code changed in 1982 to abolish all laws criminalising homosexuality, making Portugal one of the most progressive countries in the world at the time. This progressive attitude towards LGBTI+ issues continues until today. With wide-ranging anti-discrimination laws, Portugal is one of the few countries that explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. 

Now, Portugal is one of the most egalitarian countries in Europe regarding LGBTI+ individuals’ legal rights, due to tremendous strides made to create a more accepting and inclusive society. Among these changes are the recognition of same-sex marriage in 2010, adoption by same-sex couples in 2016, and the law allowing transgender individuals to change their gender without undergoing medical procedures, also in 2016. 

When did the first Pride occur in Portugal?

Pride might be a synonym for celebration, but it will always be indissociable from the political achievements that led to equal rights for the LGBTI+ community. Portugal is the perfect example.

The first Pride in Portugal occurred in 1997, before the passing of many inclusive laws, which might indicate the event’s relevance for the country’s collective consciousness. ILGA Portugal, founded in 1995, had been taking its first steps towards the creation of a safety net that could protect the LGBTI+ individuals and their families. ILGA Portugal and the Lisbon City Council picked Príncipe Real Square, one of the most LGBTI+-friendly spots in town, to host Lisbon Gay Pride, officially known as Arraial Lisboa Pride. It was a success, with more people attending than expected. The Portuguese media covered the event, comparing the attendances: “Two thousand in Lisbon, 300 thousand in Paris and 500 thousand in New York”. 

It was the beginning of a celebration that would change the LGBTI+ movement in the country forever. According to Gonçalo Diniz, ILGA Portugal’s founder, the event was born out of the need to create a sense of belonging and community that would replace shame with Pride.

Some memories from the very first Pride celebrations in Portugal! Credits to ILGA Portugal.

What about now?

In 2023, Pride’s mission remains the same. Despite efforts and accomplishments, the LGBTI+ community still faces discrimination and inequality in Portugal and globally. By celebrating Pride, we spotlight these issues and demand a more inclusive society. Fortunately, Portugal continues to fight against stigma, actively pushing our community towards a more peaceful and open-minded spirit.

As part of the official program of Festas de Lisboa, which take place in June, Arraial Lisboa Pride is organised by ILGA Portugal in partnership with the Lisbon City Council and EGEAC, the city’s cultural agency. In contrast to other cities, Pride here takes place into two moments: the Lisbon Pride March and the Arraial Lisboa Pride—an outdoor concert and celebration.

This year, the Lisbon Pride March, which starts at Príncipe Real, occurs on the 17th of June, with the Queer community occupying the streets of the city so that their voice can be heard once again, celebrating what has been achieved and fighting for what has yet to be completed. What’s more, now, marches are held not only in Lisbon but from the north to the south of the country: Porto, Bragança, Barcelos, Braga, Guimarães, Chaves, Viseu, Covilhã, Vila Real, Coimbra, Aveiro, and Faro are only some of the many cities and towns that host a Pride Parade!

Arraial Lisboa Pride new image for 2023
Save the date! If you’re in Lisbon make sure you visit Arraial Lisboa Pride in June.

Arraial Lisboa Pride 2023

Arraial Lisboa Pride will take place on the 23rd of June in Lisbon’s main city square: Terreiro do Paço. Considered the country’s largest community and association event, attracting huge crowds each year—with over 100,000 visitors in 2022—you will find a selection of bars, food stalls, and an impressive stage lineup featuring guest DJs, dance acts, bands, and appearances by special international guests. As usual, since its foundation in 2019, Proudly Portugal will also attend this year’s Pride, so make sure you stop by our stand!

Arraial Lisboa Pride is both a political rally and a party, and free to enter, meaning everyone is welcome to celebrate and show their support. It’s an inclusive, family-friendly event, with activities available for young and old, and even pets!  Will you join us?

Now that we’ve taken a trip down Memory Lane, it’s good to remember: as the needs of the LGBTI+ community evolve, so must Pride. Pride is not just a celebration or parade but an opportunity to rally around those who are persecuted, underrepresented, underserved, or ignored. 

During Pride Month, we continue to demand justice and equity for all LGBTI+ people. Although much has changed since the Stonewall Riots and Carnation Revolution, there remains work to do, especially when the unstable political climate threatens to undo years of activism and social achievements.