South Pole celebrations, Cuban protests and first-time Prides bringing LGBT+ defiance and joy

More than five decades since the Stonewall Riots sparked the modern LGBT+ rights movement, new Pride movements and events are still emerging every year.

All around the world queer communities are gathering to mark Pride month – some for the first time ever, many in countries where the fight for LGBT+ rights is still in its early days.

Here are some of the latest Pride parades we’ve welcomed in the last few years.

Havana, Cuba (2019)

Although homosexuality has long been decriminalised in Cuba, the inaugural Pride parade was not permitted by the country’s strict communist government.

Despite this, more than 100 activists took to the streets with rainbow flags in a rare public show of defiance in the tightly-controlled country.

Nevertheless, activist Raul Soublett told AP: “It was a complete success because we got so many people together despite all the expectations of government interference. It’s historic.”

Kuujjuaq, Canada (2021)

This year the tiny Inuit community of Kuujjuaq in Quebec, Canada happily celebrated its first ever Pride parade, “sharing a message of hope for freedom of choice and acceptance for all”.

The event was reportedly attended by around 80 people, who marched through the village carrying rainbow flags and signs while wrapped in warm clothing.

“The group had lots of positive feedback and everyone was excited and glad that Kuujjuaq had its first Pride parade,” said organizer Aputi Unatweenuk.

Kathmandu, Nepal (2019)

Although Nepal has celebrated the LGBT+ community at events since 2002, activists were keen to hold an independent Pride parade to increase LGBT+ visibility in the Himalayan country.

“There has always been a romanticisation of Nepal as being one of the more tolerant countries in Asia; however, the ground reality is very different. The laws are not actually implemented, making it more difficult for our community,” trans campaigner Rukshana Kapali told the Himalayan Times.

The first official march in Pride season took place in 2019, organised by the Queer Youth Group and the Queer Rights Collective, alongside other grassroots LGBT+ groups.

Antarctica (2018)

Ten Antarctic residents – and no, they weren’t penguins – made history by showing their support for LGBT+ rights on the southernmost continent in 2018.