Under the thematic umbrella "We are ready", the organizers are preparing a whole marathon of cultural and community events, part of a program that will culminate with the Bucharest Pride March scheduled for June 29th. Over 25,000 people are expected to take to the streets to celebrate diversity and advocate for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.

For the second year in a row, Bucharest Pride addresses the urgent need for legal recognition and protection of all families formed by same-sex couples and will convey a message from society: We are ready.

We are ready for a Romania where LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families are seen, recognized and protected. The adoption of laws to meet these real needs can no longer be postponed.

Despite the discouraging discourse of policymakers, statistics show that Romanian society in 2024 is more prepared for equality than ever before. According to data published in the latest ACCEPT study, the level of support and empathy among Romanians for LGBTQIA+ families has increased significantly in recent years.

A historic majority represented by 56% of them agree with marriage or other forms of legal recognition for same-sex couples - 13 percentage points more than in 2021. Moreover, 72% of Romanians believe that their families would not lose anything if same-sex families had equal rights, according to a statement from the association.

"Love is innate, hate is learned. We all know how to accept, to exist, to love, even if sometimes we need time to learn to show it. Towards ourselves, but also towards others. It's a process that a good part of society has already gone through. For some, it takes longer, for others less.

We call allies those who have embraced it and who have remembered that it is not hate that will help us grow together, but love and understanding towards others. And we thank them. 'We are ready' is about all of us: LGBTQIA+ individuals, our families, allies of the community - people who every day take steps towards a more welcoming, diverse, inclusive world.

We are all, in one way or another, ready for love! We are just in different stages of accepting this fact", emphasizes Florian-Mihail Păun, coordinator of Bucharest Pride 2024.

Since 2004, the LGBTQIA+ community in Romania has taken to the streets to celebrate their identity, make their voice heard, and claim their rights.

In 2023, the LGBTQIA+ community march attracted over 25,000 people, much more than in 2022 when 15,000 participants joined the march.

For 2024, the organizers anticipate an exponential increase in participation as a reaction to the defiant attitude that the Government displays towards the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community in Romania.

With its first edition organized in 2021, Pride Park quickly became one of the most important cultural events held outdoors in Bucharest.

As a promoter of diversity, this festival highlights the talents of local LGBTQIA+ artists, giving them visibility and celebrating cultural creations that embrace and represent the LGBTQIA+ community.

Additionally, Pride Park builds a safe space for initiatives and projects of other LGBTQIA+ organizations in Romania. Access to all events within Pride Park is free.