From November 1 to 3, 2024, Tom Hecker, Interim President of the Board of Directors of Rosa Lëtzebuerg, and Andy Maar, Board Member, participated in the Annual General Meeting of the European Pride Organisers Association (EPOA) in Porto, Portugal. We arrived the day before and took the opportunity to explore some of Porto’s cultural and historical highlights.
Our sightseeing led us to the famous Café Majestic on Santa Catarina, a bustling shopping street known for its Art Nouveau architecture and unique atmosphere. We then admired the iconic Ponte Dom Luís, which connects the banks of the Douro River and offers impressive views. Another highlight was a ride on the Teleférico de Gaia, providing us with a spectacular view over the old city and river. We ended the evening relaxing on a terrace, enjoying cheese and bread with a beautiful view of the illuminated city.
Friday, November 1, 2024: Opening and First Plenary Session
The first day began at 10:00 a.m. with participant registration. A workshop was offered for first-time attendees, with helpful introductions by Julia Maciocha and Lars Arnesen. The opening speech at 1:00 p.m. included greetings and an introduction to the agenda by the presidents of EPOA and Variações, as well as a representative of the Portuguese government.
At 1:30 p.m., the formal opening of the AGM started with roll call and the confirmation of proxy votes. The official part of the assembly began with the appointment of election officers and a timekeeper. From 1:45 p.m., reports from the Board, the Treasurer, and the Diversity and InterPride Working Groups were presented, followed by an open Q&A session.
In the afternoon, important topics and resolutions were discussed, including:
- Creation of a Nominations Committee: The aim was to establish a framework for future nominations to the Board of Directors, with a focus on diversity and suitability.
- Monitoring of EuroPride Hosts: A proposal to introduce evaluation processes to monitor the progress of EuroPride hosts in organizing their events, ensuring a smooth execution.
- Response to Geopolitical Crises: A draft to develop EPOA guidelines for handling international crises.
The day ended with the first round of voting, followed by a shared dinner at the Angel’s Share Restaurant at World of Wines (WOW) Porto. The evening culminated in a concert by Fado singer Miguel Bandeirinha, highlighting the cultural charm of Portugal.
Saturday, November 2, 2024: EuroPride Allocation and Workshops
The second day began at 9:00 a.m. with presentations of bids for EuroPride 2027. The candidate cities were Torremolinos (Spain), Turin (Italy), Vilnius (Lithuania), and Gloucestershire (United Kingdom). After the presentations and a short break, the bids for hosting the 2025 AGM and candidates for various Board positions and EPOA representatives were introduced at 11:55 a.m.
In the afternoon, several workshops offered valuable insights into current issues in LGBTIQA+ activism:
- Safe Spaces within the LGBTIQA+ Community: A workshop by Tomas Hanratty and Felix Fernandez Garcia on strategies for creating safe and inclusive spaces.
- LGBT Refugees in Europe: Juan Carlos Alonso Reguero and Joseph Lyons highlighted the challenges faced by refugees in Europe.
Subsequently, the initial voting results and final reports on past and upcoming EuroPrides were presented. The evening ended with a festive gala dinner and an entertaining drag show, hosted by Finalmente Club, which was a highlight of the night, reflecting the participants’ celebratory spirit.
Sunday, November 3, 2024: Closing Workshops and Future Prospects
The last day began with additional workshops on global solidarity initiatives and strategies to strengthen the Pride movement. The “Pride in Action” presentation was particularly noteworthy, focusing on strategies for increasing visibility and expanding Pride organizations.
In the final plenary session at 11:00 a.m., discussions on ecological sustainability for Pride events took place. Members exchanged views on strategic priorities and the work plan for the coming year. The AGM concluded with an official closing speech and an invitation to a communal lunch.
Conclusion
Participating in the EPOA AGM was a rewarding experience for us at Rosa Lëtzebuerg. In addition to important decisions and discussions about the future of the EuroPride movement, the AGM provided numerous opportunities to connect with other European organizations. The workshops and plenary sessions offered valuable insights for our future work and reinforced our commitment to the LGBTIQA+ community. We thank EPOA and Variações for the organization and look forward to applying the knowledge gained to our activities.
