The Czech capital’s fourth annual Pride promotes peace in Europe, with a new mobile app.
Prague Pride, now in its fourth year, has emerged as one of the most vibrant, friendly and culturally innovative Prides in Europe, and continues its tradition with a new tech-based initiative.
This year, for its August 11-17, celebration, Prague Pride takes the message of tolerance and solidarity viral the launch of a first-ever “Pride avatar” program that will enable LGBT people in repressive societies around the world to attend Prague Pride safely and virtually from wherever they are.
Live “avatars” attending Prague Pride will march on behalf of those unable to be there and will share messages, photos and short videos from the parade and festival with them via an easy-to-use mobile app.
This means that any LGBT person anywhere in the world, especially in places such as Kiev, where the Pride march was canceled because Ukraine authorities could not guarantee the safety of participants.
“In Moscow, such parades have been banned until 2112 and attendees in neighboring countries risk attacks from the police or extremists,” said Czeslaw Walek, president of Prague Pride.
This year’s Prague’s Pride parade will kick off from Prague’s world famous and storybook-perfect Wenceslas Square. The festival itself will feature more than 100 cultural and social events, including a live concert by the ‘80s cult gay band, Pet Shop Boys.
Prague Pride is the biggest and most open LGBT festival in the region andhas risen in importance, especially in the wake of Putin’s homosexual propaganda law. The Czech Republic remains the most tolerant country of the former Eastern Bloc and Prague Pride organizers are on a mission to send a message of support to the many LGBT in Eastern Europe who face persecution by their government and extremist groups.
LGBT people facing persecution globally will be able to connect to a secure website, choose an actual person who will be attending Prague Pride, and virtually join the Parade, receiving messages, photos and short videos.