Global Black Pride will be held in Paris in 2026
Celebrations will be for French-speaking Afroqueer communities and others.
Global Black Pride is a cultural, political, artistic, and festive event that, since 2020, has aimed to promote the legacy and visibility of Afroqueer communities, particularly those from diasporas or immigrant backgrounds, due to legal discrimination in 65 countries around the world.
The dream of a former Nigerian refugee in the United States
Founded by Micheal Ighodaro, a Nigerian activist against serophobia and homophobia who sought refuge in the United States in 2015 after Nigeria enacted the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act in 2014, Global Black Pride decided to set up shop in Paris in 2026, because “Paris remains the city of love,” says Jean-Luc Romero-Michel, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of the fight against discrimination.
But in addition, “French-speaking Afroqueer communities are even more invisible and marginalized than others, both in the media and at major international events,” lamented Johnny Clergé, delegate of the Arc-en-ciel d’Haïti (ORAH) organization.
This situation is not unrelated to the choice of Paris as next year’s host city, according to Micheal Ighodaro: “The 2022 edition was held in Toronto, Canada, and the 2024 edition was in Atlanta, United States, two English-speaking North American cities.”
Meeting a need in France in Paris and uniting activists
To prepare the French and European public, as well as local Afroqueer communities, many of whom have roots in the Caribbean or Africa, a festive ceremony was held on Oct. 17 in the reception hall of the Paris-Centre City Hall.
One by one, a panel of prominent figures in the international LGBT+ community expressed their support and determination to see Global Black Pride take root in the heart of the French capital in 2026.
Jean-Luc Romero-Michel, the deputy mayor of Paris in charge of the fight against discrimination, was the first to speak, stating how important Global Black Pride is in a context of “democratic decline” in Europe and around the world.
This was followed by a speech by Thomas-Steve OIogo Issekou, member of the Global Black Pride oard of directors and founder of the association Arc-Essentiel, which helps LGBT+ people who have been granted refugee status in the Ile-de-France region to integrate into society.
Then Caribbean queer artist Estelle Prudent, who initiated the Queer Super Power photography project portraying Afroqueer people, took the floor to emphasize the importance and historicity of Global Black Pride in Paris. “We want to make this Pride a place of dialogue and memory, where art, politics, and care come together. A space that connects diasporas, overseas territories, cities, and suburbs around a single conviction: there is no freedom without inclusion, no pride without all our prides,” Prudent said.
Finally, the Nigerian-British Anglican Rev. Jide Macaulay of the House of Rainbow in Manchester, a respected figure in the international fight against HIV, closed the speeches before Micheal Ighodaro once again thanked the City of Paris for its decisive support in bringing Global Black Pride to fruition, which will take place in 2026 from Tuesday, Sept. 9, to Saturday, Sept. 13.
See you in September 2026 and before
However, echoing the words of Jean-Luc Romero-Michel, he pointed out that, for him, beyond the festivities, the safety of participants is paramount, recalling the challenges that lie ahead: “Last year, our community village was vandalized by a homophobe in Atlanta, and for us, safety comes first.”
The cutting of the red ribbon that followed heralds 11 months of cultural events that will bring together Paris, France, Europe, and the French-speaking world with Global Black Pride.
In addition, the dance club Liquorice invited the public to join them on Dec. 5 for an evening that will be announced on social media, particularly their Instagram page.
