Athens Pride

Athens Pride is an all-volunteer, non-profit registered partnership operating under the Greek Civil Code since 2006. Its primary function is to organize the annual Athens Pride festival and parade. Additionally, Athens Pride produces cultural, social, and political events during the year, alone or in partnership with other organizations.

The mission of Athens Pride is to elevate the visibility of LGBT persons in Greek society, and in so doing advance their rights and demands. Athens Pride also raises youth awareness and support through its Volunteer Program.

Athens Pride provides a free public platform for all LGBTQI community organizations to put forth their aims, activities, and specific demands. Other participants include human rights groups, political parties, and affiliated cultural and civil society organizations. Athens Pride also hosts a number of health organizations that offer vital information as well as free on-site HIV/STD testing.

The first Athens Pride took place in June 2005. Although various “pride” events had been held in the city since the mid-1980s, Athens Pride 2005 marked the first Pride Parade through the city center and past the Hellenic Parliament during daylight hours. Approximately 500 people took part in that event.

Since 2005, the Athens Pride festival has grown exponentially in size, recognition, and respect. It is estimated that 20,000 adults and children of all ages, identities, and walks of life took part in the 10^thAthens Pride on June 14, 2014.