Among the things to do in June in Milan, Pride cannot be missed. The iconic rainbow parade through the streets of the city to celebrate love, the freedom to be yourself, to love who you want, without discrimination. Unfortunately, the queer community still faces too much harassment, crime and abuse today. While much ground has been covered, much still needs to be covered. But time to time.
June is the month to remind everyone how love has no limits, represents the struggle of those who have put their heart and soul into it to be respected and get us where we are now. Sometimes even with life itself. June is the month of the Stonewall demonstrations that started the LGBTQIA+ community’s revenge movement to demand more rights, freedoms and protections. June is the most colorful month of the year where the sky is tinged with rainbows and the cities are filled with euphoria and gaiety.
Departure from Central Station heading to Peace Arch, where the big final event will then take place: we will hear from LGBTQIA+ associations and their claims, greetings from institutions but also some music, and lots of fun.
How the Milan Pride program is structured and small cautions to consider
Like last year, the meeting is in the Central Station area right in front on Via Pisani at about 3 p.m., where everyone, beautifully dressed, colorful and gay, gathers ready for the parade through the streets of the city. By 3:30 p.m.-4 p.m. we set off (usually we never leave on time, but who knows…) to cross the streets of Milan, pass through the Garibaldi area, skirt Sempione Park and reach the Arco della Pace at about 6 p. m. where the most celebratory moment takes place, institutions on stage, associations, shows, performances and big concert until midnight. At the moment the godmother for Milano Pride has not been announced, (Rome had Rose Villail – Naples Gaia).
Many artists brighten up the evening Among those who have alternated over the years on the Milano Pride stage are Baby K, Orietta Berti, Malika Ayane, the Coma_Cose, Aries, Angelina Mango, Kaze, Antonino, the French Saints, BigBoy, Geneva, Italy Bares, Ethan, Kaput, MyDrama, Yosef, Evra, Blue Phelix, Osvaldo Supino, Matteo Romano, Luigi Strangis, Protopapa with Drama.
It will be hosted by Marta Pizzigallo, Alessio Viola, Elena Di Cioccio, Paolo Camilli and Victoria Cabello. This year among the expected guests: Baby K, Orietta Berti, Ambra Angiolini, BigMama, Sarah Toscano, Midas and others.
Some things to keep in mind for June 24
The route is designed to be fully accessible.
Don’t forget that during Milan’s gay pride , some public transport lines may change service, with detours or temporary interruptions, at the behest of public safety authorities, to allow the parade to pass through. ATM will update passengers live on the dedicated website.
People are advised to bring water with them, it will be hot. There will be a lot of people, better to be preventative. Don’t forget sunscreen, cream, goggles and maybe a cap.
If you can , avoid bringing your 4-legged friend. For you it’s a time of celebration but for our beloved four-legged friends it’s agony, between heat, noise and confusion. They would be torn apart.
Are you ready to make your voice heard?