This Will Change at the Vienna Pride in 2026

The Vienna Pride 2026 will take place from May 29 to June 14. It is Austria's largest LGBTIQ+ human rights event and a platform to advocate for equality and human rights with joy, visibility, and exchange. The 30th Rainbow Parade will take place on June 13. The organizers criticized the city of Vienna's funding cuts in a statement on Friday.

Therefore, the Vienna Pride will be opened for the first time with a one-day community festival in the Prater with the Pride Run Vienna, and the Pride Village at Rathausplatz can only take place in a modified form for one day on the day of the Rainbow Parade. Other events remain largely unaffected by the cuts, the organizers confirmed.

Pride Organizer: "We Are Disappointed"

"Of course, we are disappointed that the city of Vienna has to save on human rights work and that the funding for the Vienna Pride is being cut by almost 50 percent to 350,000 euros, especially since the Vienna Pride generates a multiple of value creation for the city through tourism and similar activities," said Katharina Kacerovsky-Strobl, organizer of the Vienna Pride and managing director of Stonewall GmbH. Such a cut should not be repeated, she demanded. It is important that "the city of Vienna continues to recognize the Vienna Pride as what it is: A central human rights and social institution of this city. Because a society that advocates for the rights of LGBTIQ+ people is a more open, inclusive, and stronger society for everyone."

Deputy Mayor Bettina Emmerling (NEOS) emphasized in the statement that it is important to her "to continue guaranteeing the visibility of the LGBTIQ+ community despite a tense budgetary situation and to uphold Vienna as the rainbow capital together." Especially in challenging times, it is important "to maintain solidarity and togetherness."

Greens See "Fatal Signal"

Ann-Sophie Otte, chairwoman of HOSI Vienna, which organizes the Rainbow Parade, expressed frustration over the cuts. "Especially in challenging times, reliable signals for protection, visibility, and equality are important. We are aware of the economic conditions and would like to emphasize that such cuts must remain the exception so that equality for LGBTIQ+ people can finally be achieved. At the same time, we expect that other key projects, such as the Center for Trans Medicine, will be consistently pursued," demanded Otte.

"These cuts are a disastrous signal - and they are particularly disappointing because they are supported by SPÖ and NEOS," said David Stögmüller, LGBTIQ+ spokesperson for the Greens, in a statement. "Especially at a time when queer people are increasingly being attacked, threatened, and politically instrumentalized across Europe and also in Austria, cohesion, backbone, and clear signs of solidarity are needed - not cuts in visibility and human rights work," he demanded.

Rainbow Parade in Vienna Again in 2026

The highlight of Vienna Pride, as every year, is the Rainbow Parade, which will take place on June 13, 2026. Over 300,000 people are expected to attend the Rainbow Parade on the Ringstraße and demonstrate together for acceptance, respect, and equality.

"Equality for LGBTIQ+ people has still not been achieved," said Otte. She is waiting for the implementation of the measures announced by the government. "So-called conversion therapies, where queer people are supposed to be 'reprogrammed' through psychological torture, as well as medically unnecessary operations on intersex minors, are still allowed - both must finally be banned. Especially in times of severe cuts in the social sector, trans people must have non-discriminatory access to healthcare services," demanded the organizer.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.