Illegal Pride: How Do People Celebrate Pride Where Being Queer is Illegal?

Growing up as queer, femme-presenting, white person in Spain, I have experienced difficulties and complexities in navigating sexual development and exploration. Homophobia and misogyny are still part of Spanish culture, and anti-LGBTQIA+ violence is experienced regularly—as seen in 2021, when Samuel Luiz died following a homophobic attack outside nightclub. People often disregard your sexuality through seeing it as a “phase” and calling your partner(s) your “special friend,” or they hyperfocus on it, hypersexualize you and your partner(s), call you slurs, … the list goes on. As with my previous piece, ”Honoring Pulse Night of Remembrance",“ I feel it is important to remember that the fight for equality is not over, and that Pride—although a celebration—is also a protest.

In Spain, homosexuality was decriminalized in 1979 and gay marriage has been allowed since 2005, as with the majority of Western countries. Although these countries are not perfect in their protection of their queer citizens, and in fact may be scarily regressing in regards to the rise of the far right and anti-trans discourse, it is still the case that queer people have the same formal rights as their cis-het fellow citizens, and that Pride is celebrated legally. 

However, there are many countries where this is not the case. So, what does celebrating Pride look like in countries where you are persecuted for being queer?

Countries where being queer is illegal in 2023

There are approximately 64 countries that have laws against homosexual activity. In some of these countries, such as Afghanistan, Brunei, Iran, and Mauritania, being queer can be punishable by death. Hence, as queer folk exist everywhere, I was curious about how they—on top of simply navigating existence in these spaces— celebrate, or rather, protest during Pride. 

Russia

Russia has recently gained a lot of media attention in relation to its anti-LGBTQIA+ propaganda legislation, which “criminalizes the promotion of ‘non-traditonal sexual relations’.” The spread of anti-queer legislation is heavily influenced by the Russian Orthodox Church, with its leader blaming Pride parades for the war in Ukraine. He also stated that Pride is a “loyalty test to Western governments,” condemning Pride and queerness as morally wrong and as Western phenomena, when this is far from the case.

Within the context of this highly polemical country, Pride parades have still been celebrated for a number of years, but not without complications.  Moscow Pride has been ‘celebrated’ since 2006, but has faced hostility and bans from authorities and leaders as well as poor police protection. In 2007, Pride organizers were arrested as they entered Tverskaya Square, occupied by police and nationalists screaming offensive anti-gay chants. In 2012, Moscow's city and district courts banned Pride in Moscow for 100 years, prohibiting Pride until 2112. 

Because these events are unauthorized, the organizers and participants that go to Pride in Russia every year are at risk of being detained, or worse. Their way of ‘celebrating’ Pride is therefore by actual protest, by standing for what they believe in even though the consequences may be arrest. The intimidation and difficulties faced in queer Russia “reflects the climate of intimidation.” The international backing of these movements, however, is what keeps them going. 

Jamaica

Being queer in Jamaica is not an easy existence. From the anti-queer violence that persists in the country to the colonial anti-sodomy laws and the mob-killing of a 17-year-old queer boy, it is clear that there are various obstacles in the way that continue to make Pride an unsafe event. 

However, even though its reputation as “one of the most homophobic places in earth”—a description made famous by Time Magazine— the LGBTQIA+ organization J-FLAG is working to change this narrative. J-FLAG seeks to create a Jamaican society which respects and protects all and is committed to “empowering the LGBT community.” Among many other things, they advocate for policy and legal reform in order to make these positive changes. Moreover, they are active participants of Jamaican Pride, which began in 2015. 

Jamaica has made so much progress that it can no longer be deemed one of the most homophobic places on Earth, and it has now held Pride events since 2015. This is largely due to  the advocacy of J-FLAG, and its impact has allowed queer Jamaicans to feel they have the right to hold space. Although the colonial-era “buggery law” has not changed, social attitudes continue to change everyday. 

Uganda

Like other parts of East Africa, Uganda is a deeply conservative region where hostility towards queer people is common. In 2023, Uganda’s parliament approved “one of the world’s strictest anti-homosexuality legislation” which punishes anyone found engaging in same-sex relations to life imprisonment. Furthermore, anyone found committing “aggravated homosexuality”—sexual relations characterized as involving individuals under the age of 14 or over the age of 75, and applying specifically to repeat offenders—is punishable by death. 

It is fair to say that in light of such legislation, queer people are scared and may choose to celebrate Pride by keeping themselves and their loved ones safe. Many queer people have gone into hiding, but many also took to the streets in protest of this bill. 

Pride Uganda held its 10th anniversary last year, despite its celebrations and protests being tainted with police raids, beatings, and assaults. All Out—a global movement and non-profit organization “for love and equality”—helped fundraise Uganda Pride to ensure safety, fun, and accessibility of the event. Moreover, in light of the police raids, Rainbow Riots organized a secret Rainbow Riots Pride in Kampala. They made sure their security was tight and that the address didn’t get into the wrong hands, and then “danced the whole night through.” They said that despite the danger and sadness felt during Pride, their party was joyous and ended the difficult week on a victorious note. 

Pride: persistence, resistance, and joy

As Pride month draws closer to an end, it is important to reflect on the different ways Pride is lived and celebrated throughout the world. Although formal rights are not revolutionary when it comes to societal attitudes and dangerous far-right and transphobic movements that continue to stain current mainstream discourse, they are important in order to establish a foundation of equality. Formal rights act as a safeguard against discrimination, ensuring that marginalized groups are recognized as equal members of society and have access to fundamental rights and opportunities. By codifying these rights, societies can actively address systemic biases and work towards creating a more just and inclusive environment for everyone.

Although we have a long way to go, the struggle and fight for the rights of queer people around the world ought to ignite a queer solidarity that extends beyond borders, especially as Pride comes to an end. 

Written by Alicia Caldentey Langley (she/they).