“Being at Pride means learning to live freely.” Voices of those facing persecution at home were heard at Pride
Published: Aug 1, 2025 Reading time: 2 minutes Share: Share an articleIn many countries around the world, LGBTIQ+ people are denied even the most basic rights. In several of these countries, we support local defenders of queer rights. One of them visited us this year on the occasion of Pride.
Michael comes from a North African country, and he is a sociologist and human rights activist. Among other things, he focuses on creating safe spaces - he founded the The Open Heart Initiative, which builds such environments for queer Christians. We work with him continuosly.
“Being here and experiencing Pride means learning to live freely. It’s like taking a breath for the first time,” Michael said during a discussion we organized alongside the screening of the film The Blue Caftan, which sensitively explores queer themes in North Africa and the Middle East.
Responding to questions from the audience, he spoke about how intolerant society in some countries is towards LGBTIQ+ people, and about the severe repression queer people are forced to endure.
He also emphasized that under such conditions it is critically important to create a community where people know each other, where they can trust one another, and where no one sees the other as a threat. “At home, people often think that we, queer people, don’t exist. I have never known real freedom in my home country,” Michael said.
He shared his experience again during a discussion with other panelists at the Mezipatra Queer Film Festival. In addition, our Langhans Centre near Wenceslas Square is currently hosting the exhibition Where Our Home Is / Kde domov náš, which examines how artists of different backgrounds grapple with questions of home and identity. The works touch on queer experiences, national belonging, and marginalization, opening conversations about often taboo subjects connected to minority rights.
As is tradition, we are also joining Saturday’s Pride Parade—our group will be number 26. Don’t hesitate to march with us!
On the occasion of Pride, we would also like to highlight our brochure Being LGBTIQ+ in Another Country, which offers an overview of the situation of LGBTIQ+ people in 20 countries where People in Need operates. It covers legal frameworks, social barriers, and the stories of local activists.
The publication addresses a wide range of challenges queer people face—from the illegality of same-sex relations to the long journey toward formal recognition of partnerships, with all the opportunities and risks this may bring. It also provides practical advice for volunteers and professionals working with LGBTIQ+ people in an international context.
Help us support people who are fighting for human rights. Their lives are at stake. Contribute to our SOS Freedom appeal.
