VARESE – Everything is ready for Varese Pride 2024, the event that has animated the city of Varese since 2016 with the colors and values of the rainbow, to promote the culture of inclusionrespect for human rights and solidarity towards LGBTQIA+ people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer, intersex, asexual and other gender identities and sexual orientation) and their families.
The appointment
Varese Pride 2024, organized by Arcigay Varese, is organized in partnership with the Municipality of Varese, under the patronage of the University of Insubria and the Canadian Embassy in Italy, as well as the participation of numerous city and provincial entities.
Varese Pride 2024 offers a series of events that will take place throughout the month of June, transforming the traditional Pride Week into Pride Month.
«Our city is inclusive, liberal, pluralist and supports full respect for the civil and social rights of all citizens – explains the Councilor for Culture Enzo Laforgia – Every year thousands of people participate in the Pride demonstration to give voice and support to these rights, in the fight against any type of discrimination.”
«The colorful wave of Pride returns to reiterate the defense of civil rights regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression – he adds the Equal Opportunities Councilor Rossella Dimaggio – to guarantee everyone the freedom to live their loved ones without any type of discrimination and in any context, be it work, family or social”.
Events
The Pride Month events are organized by local entities, who wanted to contribute to creating a rich and varied program, capable of offering cultural, artistic and social proposals. Among the planned initiatives, there will be exhibitions, shows, debates, screenings, workshops, meetings and moments of conviviality, to involve the widest and most varied audience possible, raising awareness on the issues of diversity and human rights. The complete list of events is on the website varesepride.it/events.
Among the guests of the events on Wednesday 12 June at 8.30 pm there will also be the national president of Arcigay Natascia Maesi at a talk on the topic of transfeminism at Tumiturbi.
The highlight of Varese Pride 2024 will be Saturday 22 Junewhen the procession will be held which will start at 5pm from Piazza Monte Grappa and will travel through the streets of the historic center to the rhythm of music selected by DJ Ilariasds until arriving at the Giardini Estensi, where the Varese Pride Night will take place, a large outdoor party with music, entertainment and exceptional guests, including the singers Yosef and the Varese native Riki Cellini. The godmother of the event will be Romina Falconi, a Roman singer-songwriter with an eclectic and irreverent personality, she is an icon of Italian pop music and a passionate activist for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. With her powerful voice and sharp lyrics, Romina has won over audiences with songs that address important topics such as love, identity and self-acceptance. The special guest Chadia Rodriguez, an Italian-Moroccan rapper, will perform at the Pride Night at the Giardini Estensi, an explosion of energy and talent who conquered the Italian music scene with his unique style and bold lyrics. With her scratchy voice and magnetic presence, Chadia addresses important issues such as female empowerment, inclusion and the fight against stereotypes; Also present are the drag queens La Ines, La Safira and Miss Nuit Blanche, who with their glamorous charm and their irony will be able to enchant and entertain the public with their performances. The evening will continue with a DJ set by Cusa DJ, resident DJ of Varese Pride. With his infectious energy and eclectic music selection, he knows how to get everyone dancing and having fun. Her passion for music and her commitment to the LGBTQIA+ cause come together in engaging and emotion-rich sets, making her an icon of Varese Pride.
Illuminated Estense Palace
Varese Pride 2024 will also be an opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community with two symbolic gestures: the lighting of Palazzo Estense, seat of the Municipality, with the colors of the rainbowand the installation of LGBTQIA+ flags in various points of the city, to demonstrate the closeness of the institutions and citizens to the cause of Varese Pride.
In view of the event, the president of Arcigay Varese, Giovanni Boschini, declared: «Recent data on the increase in violence and discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people in Italy and Europe are alarming. 61% of respondents to the FRA LGBTI Survey III said that violence against LGBTI people has increased in Italy since 2019. In our area, over 200 people turned to the anti-discrimination center for incidents of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Italian government’s refusal to sign international declarations to protect LGBTQIA+ rights further aggravates the situation, demonstrating a worrying lack of commitment in the fight against homophobia and transphobia.”
For more information on the program Varese Pride 2024 and on how to participate, you can visit the official website www.varesepride.it or follow the social channels on Facebook @varesepride and Instagram @vareseprideofficial.
