In August 2021, the rainbow will radiate all over Copenhagen, when the Danish capital along with Malmö are hosting WorldPride and EuroGames.
The events are held as one LGBTQ mega event under the title Copenhagen 2021, and for the first time the two events are held at the same time, in the same city.
In the recently agreed budget settlement for Copenhagen, the municipality has secured Copenhagen 2021 17.3 million Danish kroner in total over the next two years
“One of the most beautiful things about our city is that there is room for everyone and that we treat each other properly and respectfully. Copenhagen 2021 will be one big party in Copenhagen where everybody is included. At the same time, this sends an important signal to the world about how we look at things here in Copenhagen: Here, you have the right to be who you are. The community has room for all of us, that’s how it is, and that’s how we will fight for it to continue“, says Lord Mayor of Copenhagen Frank Jensen.
At Copenhagen 2021, the signal sent by the City of Copenhagen by supporting the LGBTQ is very well received.
“It is important for our guests from all over the world that they know that Copenhagen takes LGBTI+ rights seriously. And when the municipality backs Copenhagen 2021, it sends a strong signal to the outside world that inclusion and respect for human rights is important. Unfortunately, LGBTQIA people are still experiencing discrimination and hate crimes, so we need to continue the fight to ensure LGBTQIA-people can feel and act safely at all levels of society regardless of gender expression, sexual orientation or gender identity“, says Ane Rindom, chairperson of the board for Copenhagen 2021.
In the City of Copenhagen, several of the budget parties are very satisfied with the signal that the municipality is now sending with the financial support.
“I am really pleased that with the Copenhagen Municipality’s budget agreement for 2020 we will secure support for Copenhagen 2021. Copenhagen 2021 will be one of the most diverse, engaging and relevant events in Copenhagen’s history, and I look forward to showing the rest of the world that Copenhagen stands side by side with LGBTQ-people around the world in their fight for justice“, says Mayor of Culture in Copenhagen, Francisca Rosenkilde (Å).
Also, the Danish Social-Liberal Party is pleased that the municipality of Copenhagen has pledged to support Copenhagen 2021.
“I am so glad, we have finally found the funds it required from the City of Copenhagen, and now we have come a big step closer to meeting the great ambitions we have with the two events“, says Tommy Petersen form the Danish Social-Liberal Party in the City of Copenhagen.
The ambitions for Copenhagen 2021 are to create the most inclusive event ever, which can help to create better conditions for the LGTBQ environment in Denmark and internationally. At the same time, Copenhagen 2021 will be the largest human rights event ever in Denmark.
“We really appreciate this announcement from the City of Copenhagen, and it provides us financial security towards August 2021. But there is still a long way to go, and I hope that many others will now follow for us to show the whole world that Copenhagen and Denmark is inclusive and at the forefront of the fight for human rights“, says Lars Christian Østergreen, Director of Copenhagen 2021.
Lars Christian Østergreen therefore hopes that other municipalities will follow Copenhagen’s example, just as there is a need for companies and organizations to support Copenhagen 2021.
Copenhagen Pride is the host of WorldPride 2021, which has been licensed by InterPride. Pan Idræt is the host of EuroGames 2021, which has been licensed by the European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation. Copenhagen 2021 will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmö, Sweden