Copenhagen Pride is bigger than the parade, and this year its message is sharper than ever: until the job is done. If you care about LGBTQIA+ rights, city festivals, or the real politics behind public celebration, this conversation reveals what it actually takes to keep Pride free, visible, and impossible to ignore.
Derek is joined by Steve Taylor from Copenhagen Pride for a deep look at how the festival really works - from eight days of programming in August to year-round events, volunteer coordination, and the huge parade that fills Copenhagen with hundreds of thousands of people.
You'll discover how Copenhagen Pride balances protest and celebration, why the human rights tent matters as much as the stage, and what this year's 30th-anniversary theme says about the state of LGBTQIA+ rights in Denmark and beyond. Steve also breaks down the growing pressure on Pride from anti-DEI politics, sponsor pullback, and culture-war attacks - and why the organization still insists on free access, ethical partnerships, and allyship that makes space for the community itself.
We also get into the messy realities most people never see: how Pride is funded, why some companies stay involved while others back away, what happened when major Prides like Manchester collapsed, and why Copenhagen's model remains distinctly local, community-driven, and very Danish.
Steve Taylor helps oversee one of the most active Pride organizations in the world, with programming that stretches well beyond August. He brings insider perspective on the festival's growth, its political stakes, and the work required to keep it accessible to everyone.
Essential listening if you want to understand why Pride still matters, what is changing in Copenhagen, and how a city-wide celebration becomes a frontline for rights, visibility, and solidarity.
View the full CPH Pride Program here: https://www.copenhagenpride.dk/en/
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