Prague Pride calls on attendees to make a statement about family in 2024

The annual Prague Pride Festival will this year take place from Aug. 5-11 in the Czech capital. The centerpiece parade will march through the center on Aug. 10, passing landmarks like the Astronomical Clock and crossing the Vltava River.

The festival drew over 60,000 participants last year and hopes to attract more in its 12th year. Organizers emphasize the event’s significance as the country continues to debate equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.

“After seven long years of waiting, what did our members of parliament give same-sex couples? A partnership is replacing a registered partnership. You can’t even legally acknowledge your partner’s child unless they’re biologically related to your partner,” Prague Pride organizers said in a press statement.

The festival is calling on attendees to make a statement and “show those conservative MPs that clinging onto outdated views in a country where Sunday mornings are more about brunch than church is just plain embarrassing.”

Prague Pride 2024 will also show that family is not defined by blood relations. “What makes a family a family is love, mutual respect, and unconditional acceptance. Therefore, family does not always have to be people who share genes."

In addition to the parade, the seven-day festival will feature a lineup of parties, cultural events, and community activities across the city. Highlights include the Pride Village on Střelecký island, the Pride Club for late-night revelry, and the English-friendly Pride Café.

The festival is supported by the City of Prague and several government officials, including the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and the first deputy prime minister.

Attendees are encouraged to visit the festival’s website to plan their trip and stay up-to-date on the full program of events.