Sphen and Magic shot to fame in 2018 when news of their same-sex male relationship made global headlines. Dubbed ‘the penguin power couple,’ the adorable and loyal duo celebrated six years together, successfully adopting and raising two chicks – Sphengic (Lara) in 2018 and Clancy in 2020.

Sphen and Magic are more than just a beautiful love story –their impact around the world as a symbol of equality is immeasurable. They inspired a Mardi Gras float, have been included in the NSW education syllabus, and even featured in the Netflix series Atypical. Countless books speak of their love story, even documentaries on same-sex animal couples have featured Sphen and Magic.

Through Sphen and Magic’s fame, the aquarium has been able to share important messages on conservation, plastic pollution, global warming, and the importance of protecting wild penguins through fundraising initiatives.

Richard Dilly, General Manager at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, said, “The loss of Sphen is heartbreaking to the penguin colony, the team and everyone who has been inspired or positively impacted by Sphen and Magic’s story.

“We want to take this opportunity to reflect and celebrate Sphen’s life, remembering what an icon he was, the unique bond he shared with Magic and the positive impact he made in the world.

“Sphen and Magic’s love story captivated the world and it’s been an honour to welcome local and international fans, some of which travelled long distances to see them in real life. The team’s focus is now on Magic, who will soon prepare for his first breeding season without Sphen.”

Sphen and Magic shared a bond unlike most other penguin couples – they could even be found together outside of the breeding season, which is unique for gentoo penguins. Sphen, the older of the two, was nearly twelve years old when he passed away earlier this month. This is considered a long life for a gentoo penguin, the species have an average life span of roughly twelve to thirteen years.

To help Magic, who turns nine in November, process the loss, the team took him to see Sphen so that he could understand his partner wouldn’t return. He immediately started singing, which was beautifully reciprocated by the colony.

Fans of Sphen and Magic are encouraged to leave a message of support to the team at https://www.visitsealife.com/sydney/information/news/vale-sphen/

The post Fans pay tribute following death of “gay penguin” at Sydney Aquarium appeared first on TravelTalk.

Celebrating 47 years, Sydney Mardi Gras continues to stand strong as a pillar of strength and unity and a monument for creativity and self-expression within LGBTQIA+ communities in Sydney and across the globe. The 2025 Festival promises to bring unforgettable moments, radiant performances, and vibrant events that honour the past, celebrate the present and inspire a future of inclusivity and acceptance.

The 17-day celebration culminates in the world famous Sydney Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday 1 March 2025. Community groups from around the country will gather on Oxford St, Flinders St, and Anzac Pde for the spectacular march, with their float concepts drawing on the 2025 theme, FREE TO BE.

The 2025 Festival theme FREE TO BE is a celebration of the strides toward true LGBTQIA+ equality while also acting as a global reminder that our fight is far from over, and that we are not truly free until we are all free to be.

“Free To Be is a manifesto of what our community has desired and fought for dozens of decades, and the reason why we will continue to be here, fighting, celebrating and being fiercely visible for the generations to come,” said Gil Beckwith, CEO of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. “Our theme is about making a statement to embrace and rejoice in our unique individuality as well as our collective identity. It is about the bravery to rise for each other in the darkest of times and protect the progress we’ve made, using it as a springboard toward the progress we deserve.”

The full Festival calendar and ticket sales will be revealed later this year promising a vibrant tribute to resilience, diversity and solidarity. A raft of ways to get involved in the 2025 Festival have also been announced today:

• Mardi Gras Parade: Applications to march in the 2025 Parade open today, 15 August, with up to 200 floats anticipated to take the streets. New for 2025, Airline Partner Qantas will provide up to a total of $25,000 worth of flights for interstate and regional groups, supporting them to participate in the 2025 Parade. Eligible groups can apply as part of the application process.
• Fair Day presented by American Express: Applications to host a stall at Fair Day 2025 open today, 15 August, with very limited spaces available following over 90% of 2024 stallholders rolling over to 2025.
• Volunteer: Applications to volunteer at the 2025 Festival open in September 2024.
• Mardi Gras+: Entries to host your event as part of the open-access Festival program ‘Mardi Gras+’ open today, 15 August.

Sydney Mardi Gras also announces the return of American Express as Principal Partner of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for the 2025 and 2026 Festivals.

Naysla Edwards, Vice President of Brand, Marketing and Member Experience said, “American Express has a long history of proudly backing our colleagues, customers and communities and we are delighted to extend our partnership with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras into 2026. Both of our organisations embrace diversity and stand for equity and inclusion, and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a powerful stage on which those values are celebrated.”

The annual Festival takes place in the Australian hub for arts, culture, live music and performance making the glistening shores of Sydney the perfect backdrop for the 2025 Festival. Beyond the Festival’s official program, visitors can explore renowned galleries, museums and theatre as well as a booming food and creative scene.

For more information head to www.mardigras.org.au

The 2025 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival is proudly supported by Principal Partner American Express, Presenting Partner Coles Group and Government Partner of the Sydney Mardi Gras Festival, the City of Sydney.

THE DETAILS

Festival dates: 14 Feb – 2 March 2025
Parade date: 1 March 2025
Festival theme: FREE TO BE
More info: http://www.mardigras.org.au/

The post Theme and dates for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival announced appeared first on TravelTalk.

LGBTQIA+ travellers expect some form of discriminatory behaviour from both their fellow travellers (46%) and locals (54%) at their chosen destinations. Half (51%) agree that being LGBTQIA+ has made them more insecure and self-conscious as a traveller. This is of greater concern for those who identify as transgender (64%), intersex (57%) and non-binary (56%). Reported discrimination experiences for travellers in Asia-Pacific varied widely across the region.

Asia-Pacific LGBTQIA+ travellers who experienced discrimination whilst travelling: 

• India – 92%
• Singapore – 82%
• Thailand – 75%
• Vietnam – 69%
• Hong Kong – 66%
• Taiwan – 62%
• Australia – 53%
• New Zealand – 43%
• Japan – 36%
• APAC – 62%

Destination deliberations impact travel choices 

Reflecting economic uncertainties affecting parts of the world, accommodation that fits within budget is the primary concern for a majority (68%) of LGBTQIA+ travellers. The majority (67%) also believe that being able to be their authentic self on their trip is their next most important factor. Over half (56%) consider local legislation regarding LGBTQIA+ rights an important factor and a quarter (28%) have cancelled a trip within the past year after seeing a destination being unsupportive of its LGBTQIA+ residents.

When presented with the choice, over half (63%) say they prefer to visit destinations where LGBTQIA+ tourism is already well established, compared with 49% who would rather consider locations where their presence could contribute to broadening social awareness and acceptance. Nearly two-thirds (58%) are more likely to book travel experiences inspired by LGBTQIA+ pop culture with millennials (70%) the most likely.

Code-switching and travel personas

LGBTQIA+ travellers are actively adopting personas to protect themselves on their trips. A third of LGBTQIA+ travellers (36%) say that they modify aspects of their appearance and behaviour to avoid potential discrimination or unwanted attention, while 35% have created an alter-ego to navigate different environments when travelling. This is most common with transgender travellers (59%), and lesbian travellers (47%).

Travel industry allies

Travelling to destinations that have adequate legislation in place facilitates feeling included and this is reflected in interactions with those that work in the travel industry: 85% of LGBTQIA+ travellers feel comfortable when arriving to check in at their accommodation. When asked what features LGBTQIA+ travellers would like to see from travel companies to improve future travel experiences, 32% referenced filters that would facilitate identifying properties that offer a welcoming experience. This is of particular importance for transgender (49%) and genderfluid (40%) travellers.

“At Booking.com, we passionately believe that everyone should be able to travel and experience the world in their own unique way,” says Arjan Dijk, CMO and Senior Vice President at Booking.com. 

“As a gay man, I unfortunately know first-hand the challenges that persist in many parts of the world, including sadly with travel alerts already being issued ahead of Pride events this year. Despite all this, I am incredibly inspired to see LGBTQIA+ travellers resiliently embracing their lived experiences, both at home and during their trips. While real and tangible progress is being made, we must remain vigilant and do our part to make it truly easier for everyone to Travel Proud.”

Since launching in 2021, Booking.com’s Travel Proud program provides free inclusive hospitality training for accommodations to help them gain a better understanding of the specific challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ travellers. There are now more than 67,000 Travel Proud-certified properties globally including 3,199 in Australia and 381 in New Zealand on Booking.com.

In addition to the company’s global partnership with IGLTA, the International LGBTQIA+ Travel Association, Booking.com is now also exceptionally proud to be one of the newest partners of:

• Global Equality Fund. This unique public-private partnership brings together like-minded governments and private sector entities dedicated to advancing and defending the human rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ people around the world.
• Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center: Located in Greenwich Village in the heart of New York City, this landmark centre, opening on June 28, 2024, preserves, advances and celebrates the legacy of the historic Stonewall Rebellion and serves as a living monument to the advocates and pioneers who came before us and educates on the events that shaped the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.

The post Research reveals how Australian LGBTQIA+ travellers are redefining travel appeared first on TravelTalk.

• The Seattle Pride Parade, featuring over 250 organisations
• Pride in the Park offers performances, food trucks, and community booths
• A comprehensive LGBTQ+ Seattle Guide for year-round community support

Seattle’s vibrant LGBTQ+ culture shines throughout the city, particularly in neighbourhoods like Capitol Hill. Visitors can experience drag shows, dine at farm-to-table restaurants, and shop vintage fashion, all while supporting queer-run businesses. Inclusive accommodations like the Lotte Hotel and the Sound Hotel welcome LGBTQ+ travellers.

The post Seattle celebrates 50 years of Pride with month-long festivities appeared first on TravelTalk.

Travelproud launched on Monday and Traveltalk’s digital editor, Dan Lake said the timing of the launch was just right.

“While here in Australia we usually celebrate pride during the summer, internationally June is Pride Month, so it’s great to launch Travelproud this month.”

Lake says sharing these stories is something that is very important to him, and a recent experience is what drove him to today’s launch.

“Sadly, I’ve had homophobic language aimed at me from within this industry within the last year, so there really is a need for those who are proud members of the community to stand up and be visible.”

“Some spaces still aren’t safe,” he said.

He says being a welcoming destination or experience for LGBTQI+ travellers isn’t about having screenings of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, it’s about all aspects of a business or location, such as staff training, visibility and diversity in marketing.

“There are so many amazing stories of people doing great things within the travel industry to make it totally inclusive and welcoming for both the travellers and the organisations within it, and I can’t wait to tell those stories,” he said.

Jenny Evans and Jenny Rowland, the publishers of Traveltalk share Lake’s enthusiasm for the new content hub.

“As the publishers of Traveltalk, we are thrilled to introduce our new Travelproud section.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to celebrating diversity and inclusivity within the travel industry. We are excited to share inspiring stories that highlight the progress and efforts being made to create safe and welcoming environments for LGBTQI+ travellers.

“Our goal is to foster a sense of pride and belonging for everyone in our community.”

Content from Traveltalk’s Travelproud section can be found here.

If you have a story you’d like to tell, contact editorial@traveltalkmag.com.au or dan@traveltalkmag.com.au.

The post Traveltalk launches Travelproud LGBTQI+ content hub appeared first on TravelTalk.

Leading travel risk management and assistance provider World Travel Protection’s annual business traveller survey* reveals only 9% of organisations offer information on LGBTQIA+ rights before visiting a country for those who disclose their LGBTQIA+ identity, and even fewer (8%) provide such information for those who do not disclose.

Media personality Tim Lai, who is also Marketing Manager for LGBTQIA+ education charity The Pinnacle Foundation, travels overseas regularly for work. He says throughout his previous career in the technology sector spanning multiple organisations, he was never provided with support or information about the LGBTQIA+ landscape of his destination.

“As an openly gay man, I struggled when visiting countries with openly anti-LGBTQIA+ stances,” Lai says.

“While I appreciate that much improvement has been made in providing support, knowledge, and cultural education by global organisations these days, more needs to be done. Companies need to ensure that LGBTQIA+ employees are well-informed about the local laws and social attitudes of the countries they are sent to and provide resources or contacts to ensure their safety.

“The progress is commendable, but we must continue to push for comprehensive, actionable support for all LGBTQIA+ professionals working abroad,” he says.

Paul Trotter, World Travel Protection’s Intelligence and Security lead, reports that Tim’s experience is unfortunately common for many business travellers.

He says the disappointing survey results highlight a lack of progress in addressing the needs of LGBTQIA+ employees. In response to these challenges, Trotter offers six invaluable tips for companies responsible for the well-being of their travelling employees.

Understand the legal landscape

With 70+ countries criminalising same-sex relationships, and increasing anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment even in previously ‘safe’ regions, awareness and proactive measures are vital. Engagement with certain websites or apps in some jurisdictions can result in fines or imprisonment, highlighting the importance of understanding local laws and potential consequences. However, only 1 in 7 employers offer LGBTQIA+ rights information before international travel. It’s crucial for organisations to provide employees with resources to research destinations, such as Smartraveller, for the latest safety advice. Resources like the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association and the Human Dignity Trust also offer insights into global LGBTQIA+ rights and legal protections.

Consider the culture

Understanding cultural context is crucial beyond legal considerations. Discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community may persist even in places without explicit legal targeting. Be mindful of attire and behaviour, stick to well-lit areas, and use buddy systems for safety, especially at night. One of World Travel Protection’s partners, Riskline, recently released a graphic with a global overview of LGBTQ travel, which is a good visual representation of traveller safety by country – but it’s important to remember that differences can exist within each country as well. 

Engage carefully with local authorities

Seeking assistance from local authorities can be helpful, as some locations offer support from law enforcement officers for travellers feeling threatened or unsafe. However, in regions where LGBTQIA+ relationships and identities are criminalised, engaging with law enforcement may not always be safe. It’s crucial to be aware of the social and cultural attitudes toward sexuality and gender before seeking help from authorities.

Safety in numbers

World Travel Protection’s survey reveals 39% of Australian business travellers are concerned about facing discrimination for their gender or sexuality during their business trips, with women (45%) more concerned than men (32%). Safety in numbers cannot be underestimated. World Travel Protection advises LGBTQIA+ travellers to stick with colleagues or their local host while exploring unfamiliar territories. Employers should assess employee comfort before assigning destinations and consider sending multiple representatives for support in locations that are less safe.

Utilise technology for safety

Using travel assistance apps for prompt alerts and easy access to help, including dedicated support for LGBTQIA+ travellers via World Travel Protection’s Travel Assist app, can enable employees and companies to monitor situations closely and access immediate assistance in emergencies.

Prioritise Mental Health

Mental health should not be overlooked amid the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ travellers. Navigating cultures and political landscapes that are openly hostile to their identities can have a detrimental impact on mental well-being. Experiencing overt danger and harassment is an obvious source of stress and anxiety, but the pressure to conceal one’s sexuality or gender expression can also be profoundly harmful. Employers should prioritise mental healthcare by providing access to support services and regularly checking in with employees while they are on the road.

*Opinium online survey conducted from 1 February to 8 February 2024 with 500 people who travel for business at least once a year in Australia. This survey is part of a wider survey of 2,000 people across UK, Australia, US and Canada (500 respondents in each region) who travel for business at least once a year.

The post How to prepare and support LGBTQIA+ employees during work travel appeared first on TravelTalk.

Here’s a  peek at some of what you’ll find in this year’s collection.

Sport the latest Disney Parks styles with the Disneyland Sport Jersey for Adults.

Featuring vibrant rainbow trim  and embroidered logo detail to the front and back, this jersey is a comfy and cute way to celebrate Pride.  Complete the look with the Mickey Mouse Loungefly Mini Backpack which celebrates the different ways to  say ‘love’ throughout the globe.  

Next up, the Mickey Mouse Icon Zip Hoodie for Women! Complete with an allover print pattern and  embroidered heart shaped logo with rainbow striped Mickey Mouse icon on the chest, this zip hoodie is the  perfect fit for Pride celebrations. It pairs perfectly with this rainbow-handled Disney Pride Mug featuring  artwork of Mickey Mouse, Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Disneyland logo.

For the ultimate fan at heart, brighten your collection with new additions to Pin Trading, ornaments and  collectibles: 

• R3-RN8W, a new astromech droid, rolls straight off the Droid Factory production line and features a  colourful design incorporating every colour of the rainbow. 
• Hang this rainbow-hued sculpted heart in your home year-round with this addition to the Disney  Sketchbook Ornament Collection. 
• Wear your pin collection with pride! The Mickey icon colourful cloisonné pin has embossed facets that  will make this the jewel of your collection.  

The Disney Pride Collection was created by members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community. The Walt Disney  Company proudly works with nonprofits throughout the year to support the LGBTQIA+ community.

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Sponsored by Internova Travel Group and now in its fifth year, PROUD Experiences provides a platform for global travel brands, products, and services to meet with agents, travel planners and media who are focused on creating and promoting itineraries for their LGBTQIA+ clients.

Commenting on this year’s event, PROUD Experiences Event Director, Simon Mayle said: “This was our biggest and best edition yet. We’re delighted to have connected more leaders in the travel and lifestyle sectors together than ever before to develop business strategies, expand LGBTQIA+ understanding and connect like-minded peers to help drive the pink tourism sector. Our content sessions were inspiring and energetic, featuring two superstar sportspeople telling their stories to the top and their LGBTQIA+ travel experiences.”

Kicking off the week, the Big Gathering brought the community together to update attendees on lessons learned since the last event in 2023. Led by renowned travel expert, Ed Salvato, the event welcomed to the stage American basketball player, actress, model and influencer Crissa Jackson, as well as world record holding triathlete, Raymond Braun, both sharing their thoughts and experiences.

Integral to PROUD Experiences is the Masterclass programme that runs throughout each event featuring influential speakers sharing personal stories and advice to help the industry evolve and welcome their LGBTQIA+ guests. Leading hospitality training executive, Jim McPartlin led the way followed by a panel featuring Caroline Beteta, President and CEO at VisitCalifornia, and Tom Kiely, President and CEO at West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board.

PROUD Experiences 2024 welcomed some 182 exhibitors from 30 countries including Estonia, Jamaica, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, St Barths and Vietnam to name a few. Over 182 buyers and agents from 14 countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, UK and USA were in attendance as well as 32 media and content creators from 7 countries. Over 6,000 pre-scheduled appointments took place to expand networks, exchange experiences and share valuable knowledge on the LGBTQIA+ travel industry.

Luxury travel buyers, exhibitors and sponsors alike were enthusiastic in their praise of the role of PROUD Experiences in supporting the industry to promote inclusive travel across the world.

Asan Askin, Director, West Coast & Entertainment Services, First in Service Travel commented “For us, it’s all about the safety of our clients and ensuring they feel welcome wherever they travel. It’s great to see so many brands we have met with this week being so open and understanding. There has been some interesting dialogue at PROUD Experiences this week, we’ve met with some inspiring suppliers that we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet outside of such an inclusive event like PROUD.”

Elvira Reyes, Sales Director, Thompson Zihuantanejo & Hyatt Secrets Tulum commented “PROUD Experiences has been so beneficial for us. We are here to do business, but the different Masterclass and educational sessions have provided us with so much information that we can implement in our properties. Our resorts are very inclusive, but we can always do more to embrace the LGBTQIA+ community and ensure everyone feels safe.”

Caroline Beteta, President & CEO of Visit California said “We’re honoured PROUD Experiences found its way to Los Angeles, where California’s welcoming culture was on full display for this group of key travel industry leaders. California is perhaps known best for how its communities celebrate diversity and pave the way for the rest of the nation when it comes to inclusivity and representation across sectors and experiences – and I’m thrilled to share that distinction with my colleagues from Los Angeles Tourism and West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board.”

Jeff O’Neill, Luxury Travel Advisor, Global Travel Collection said “As this is my first PROUD Experiences, I’ve been so pleased with how approachable everyone has been and ready to do business. The Masterclasses and training time away from meetings have been so important for me with some highly insightful topics and great guest speakers. Looking forward to the event returning to Los Angeles again next year.”

President & CEO of West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board, Tom Kiley, proud sponsor of PROUD Experiences for a second year running added “West Hollywood was founded 40 years ago to support and protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community – and today the city stands firmly as a welcoming destination, on the forefront of progress. Showcasing our small but mighty city of West Hollywood to buyers, sellers and media through PROUD Experiences is our joy and our purpose,”

Wanda Albano Ahmadi, Senior Director, Communications at Beverly Hills Conference & Visitor Bureau expressed “PROUD offers a great forum for discussion around how we as destinations can ensure inclusive and welcoming experiences. We love being able to showcase all that Beverly Hills has to offer for LGBTQ+ travellers, from unparalleled shopping and luxury hotels to world-class dining and lush green spaces.”

The next edition of PROUD Experiences will be once again held at LA’s Fairmont Century Plaza, 2-4 June 2025.

The post LGBTQIA+ travel event Proud Experiences reveals record attendance appeared first on TravelTalk.

Paris Pride Parade 29 June

Marche des Fiertés, the Parisian Pride festival, is one of the oldest Pride celebrations in Europe, dating back to 1977. Winding through some of city’s most iconic streets marchers and visitors will enjoy iconic landmarks such as Place de la République and Place de la Bastille celebrating the occasion.

For LGBTQIA+ events all year long, especially during Pride, this vibrant neighbourhood of Le Marais is highly recommended. Connect to Paris from London on the Eurostar in under 2h30.

Madrid Pride Parade 6 July

Madrid Pride, also known as MADO, is set to transform the city’s streets with poetry, puppetry, dancing and more. Travelling along the iconic Paseo del Prado and through one of Madrid’s most famous calles, marchers will enjoy a series of concerts and drag shows on the six mega stages. Most activities take place in the vibrant neighborhood of Chueca, where the atmosphere is loud and proud, welcoming more than 2 million people each year. Connect to Madrid from Barcelona in 2h30.

Rome Pride Parade 15 June

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Rome Pride. Participants will have the opportunity to take in iconic sites including the Colosseum and the Roman Forum during the march. This year’s official after-party is the Rock in Roma event, featuring dozens of artists. The celebrations include everything from street parties to water park events and gatherings at popular clubs. Connect to Rome from Milan in just over 3hrs.

Berlin Pride Parade 27 June

From welcoming around 450 attendees in its first year to now expecting around half a million participants, Berlin Pride is no doubt one of the biggest celebrations in Europe. Meandering past iconic landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column, parade goers will enjoy quite the city tour. Apart from the street concerts, performances and after-parties, visitors can also enjoy Euphoria, a 25,000 sqm space dedicated to Pride events and celebrations. The OBB night train connects Zurich to Berlin in about 8h30.

Amsterdam Pride Parade 27 July

The 27th Amsterdam Pride Canal Parade will take place in the afternoon and feature 80 decorated floats travelling down the city’s canals. This family-friendly event extends beyond the canals, with smaller events taking place in different neighborhoods. This year, around half a million people are expected to celebrate Pride in Amsterdam, making it one of the biggest events of the year. Connect to Amsterdam from Paris on the Eurostar in just 4hrs.

Milan Pride Parade 29 June

While Rome may be the capital of Italy, Milan proudly holds the title of the capital of gay culture in the country. This distinction explains why Milan Pride is not only the largest in Italy, but also one of the most significant in all of Europe. Participants can expect numerous events, including drag shows, DJs, concerts, exhibitions and workshops covering everything from civil rights and LGBTQIA+ history to mental health and more. The parade itself takes off from Milan’s Central Station and concludes at the Arco Della Pace, where festivities continue through the night. Connect to Milan from Venice in 2h30.

London Pride Parade 29 June

The first official UK Gay Pride Rally took place in 1972 with just 200 participants. Today, London Pride attracts around 1.5 million people, making it one of the largest Pride events in the world. The parade route typically starts at Hyde Park Corner and winds its way through Piccadilly, Haymarket, Trafalgar Square and finally to Whitehall Place. This year, the British Museum will be presenting “Desire, Love, Identity: Exploring LGBTQ Histories” with free tours from 1 June to 29 June. Connect to London from Brussels in just over 2hrs.

Other Pride parades include the Helsinki Gay Pride Parade on 29 June; and the Antwerpen Pride and Gay Pride Prague Parades both on 10 August.

agent.raileurope.com

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SAS believes in a world where everyone is respected and valued for their unique selves. Through the collaboration with Pride, SAS aims to support the important work Pride is doing. Embracing diversity and inclusion is a key aspect of SAS’ sustainability efforts. The goal is to actively foster an inclusive corporate culture where all employees feel safe and valued.

“Teaming up with Pride feels important and very natural for us at SAS, we believe that everyone should be treated equally and have the same rights no matter who they are or who they love. We know that many of our colleagues have been asking for us to engage in Pride and we are happy to announce this partnership today”, says Pernille Vang Ormholt, Executive Vice President Chief People Officer at SAS.

To celebrate Pride and the upcoming Pride weeks, SAS is launching the concept “You Be You” to highlight the diversity within the company through personal stories and interviews. You Be You reinforces the company identity as an inclusive organization, showcasing its commitment to openness, tolerance, and diversity every day of the year, not just during Pride.

In December 2010, SAS made history as the first airline in the world to host a same-sex marriage onboard a flight between Stockholm and New York. With the “Love is in the Air” campaign, SAS became the first company globally to launch an LGBTQ campaign in mainstream media. The following year, SAS introduced the “SAS Gay Crew Guide,” a gay travel guide to Stockholm.

“SAS is Scandinavia’s leading airline with home bases in three of the most LGBTQ friendly countries in the world. We bring guests of all nations and cultures together and welcome everyone on board regardless of ethnic origin, age, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, or identity. Pride has always been in our DNA, and we are proud to continue celebrating people and places that embrace LGBTQ life”, says Anko van der Werff, SAS President and CEO.

Oslo Pride takes place from June 19 to June 29, Stockholm Pride from July 29 to August 3 and Copenhagen Pride from August 10 to August 18. As part of the partnership, SAS will participate in the annual parades in Oslo and Stockholm and host various activities at Copenhagen Pride.

For more information: http://flysas.com/en/pride

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