Pink Parade 2017

Its summer, which in the LGBTQ community can only mean one thing, its Pride season somewhere. In Nice and the whole of the French Rivera, we tend to call it time for the Pink Parade.

The date changes every year depending on permission from the city for the street events during the height of the tourism season and it seems every year it’s on the edge if it will even happen at all. And especially given the tragic event that took place last summer on the Promenade in Nice on Bastille Day, security measures are high this year and the city has never felt safer.

Word got out by the organizers from the ALGAE Nice Cote d’Azur committee as early as possible that this year’s Pink Parade event will be on Saturday, August 5^th, 2017 at 4:30pm starting with a request for everyone to meet at Place Massena where a reflection will begin honoring those who are no longer with us.

After the gathering then everyone will be welcomed to mobilize as one, and as usual with these type of street parades, there is a lot of joy, smiles and love in our hearts.

Shortly afterwards, at 7pm there will be a ‘Pink Drink’ outdoor dance party at the MAMAC with various local DJ’s followed by an evening of entertainment and special events at all the various associations, bars, restaurants and nightclubs throughout the city.

A big thank you needs to go out to the organizers who year after year still have to push for this important occasion to go forward, as yes, in this day and age there is plenty of basic rights violations including assaults, discrimination, etc., all on a daily basis around the world.

Something though that has always been special about the Pink Parade is, although many of these Pride events around the world have now become very commercialized, including overpriced parties that exclude many people or the main reason behind the need for this day of recognition, in Nice, the whole of the Cote d’Azur comes together truly as a community.  Here in Nice, everyone is invited to the Pink Parade no matter who you love and participation in the day of events is always for you to enjoy.

Happy Pink Parade 2017 everyone!