01 June 2022
Pride around the world: Celebrate LGBTQ+ Month with IHG Hotels & Resorts
June marks the official beginning of Pride celebrations in many places around the world, coinciding with the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City. There are many ways – and places – to experience Pride in person, whether you are part of the LGBTQ+ community or consider yourself an ally. From the iconic celebrations in New York City to parades in Taiwan, we’ve rounded up some of the most popular festivities around the globe and where to stay.
New York City Pride
On June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in New York City’s Greenwich Village –becoming the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ movement around the world. One year later, the Christopher Street Liberation Day Committee organized the first NYC Pride March, and marches have continued every year since. With a bevy of events throughout the entire month, including the annual march to Pride Island, the premiere LGBTQ+ music festival experience on Governors Island, NYC Pride is louder and prouder than ever.
Where to Stay: To be in the middle of it all, you can Stay With Pride at InterContinental New York Times Square. This offer includes “Cocktails for Two” (a twist on the InterContinental75 Diamond Anniversary cocktail, but with pink champagne!) along with a portion of booking proceeds being donated to The Trevor Project. Plus, the hotel’s restaurant, The Stinger, will be decked out for Pride with a new floral installation at the entrance – you won’t want to miss it (very ‘gram worthy)! The fun doesn't stop there, throughout June, voco Times Square South will offer The Pride & Rosé, which includes a special bottle of Veuve du Vernay champagne in the room (so the party can start right when you walk in!).
São Paulo Pride
São Paulo Gay Pride is considered one of the largest Pride parades in the world based on sheer number of attendees. It started in 1997 with roughly 2,000 participants, but now attracts an estimated three to five million participants each year. As one of the top Pride parades, there is a range of LGBTQ+ related activities and events. In fact, while the official schedule runs for five days, things start happening in the city several days earlier. This June, expect everything from dance performances to fairs to street markets.
Where to Stay: Arguably, the best place to stay during Pride is in the charming Jardins District, which is just a short trip from some of the most well-known gay bars. The neighborhood is also home to the best hotels and restaurants in the city, including InterContinental São Paulo. Here, you can enjoy exclusive elegance with personalized amenities, an outdoor pool and unparalleled views from the hotel’s 20th floor Club Lounge. The hotel is also only a four-minute walk from the Museum of Art of São Paulo, the meeting spot for the Pride parade, which will feature more than two dozen specially themed floats.
Madrid Orgullo
Spain was one of the first countries in the world to legalize gay marriage back in 2005, and Madrid remains the center of LGBTQ+ life in the country. From July 1- 10, thousands of people will arrive in the city for Orgullo, the Spanish word for Pride. The highlight of the week is the parade along the Paseo Del Prado. This year’s program also includes a series of street programs and Europe’s largest outdoor concerts (on six different stages!) close to the Chueca neighborhood in downtown Madrid. It is the neighborhood where Pride got its start in the city and where the LGBTQ+ community began settling down in the 80s, transforming Chueca into an area of freedom, tolerance, and diversity.
Where to Stay: Conveniently located in the heart of the city, Hotel Indigo Madrid - Gran Via is the perfect home base to feel the buzz of Spain’s capital city and be close to all the action Orgullo offers. The hotel is only 10 minutes from the Chueca neighborhood, making it easy to attend all of the Pride festivities – including the traditional High Heels Race! Back at the hotel, travelers can take in the city and gaze at Pride celebrations happening below while sipping a signature cocktail or taking a dip in the infinity pool from the hotel’s stunning rooftop terrace.
London Pride
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pride in London since its first march in the UK. Approximately 2,000 people took part, a fraction of the estimated 1.5 million who now attend. The 2022 Pride Parade is returning to the streets of the capital on July 2, tracing the original route of the march that passes important sites from UK’s LGBTQ+ movement. In honor of the 50th anniversary, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ employee resource group, Out & Open, is partnering with Pride in London on June 4 for its milestone fundraising concert at Royal Albert Hall – Proud and Loud: Celebrating 50 Years of Pride. It will certainly be a night to remember, with showcases from iconic trailblazers from the LGBTQ+ community and memorable music performances from Hayley Kiyoko and Calum Scott.
Where to Stay: From its historic and contemporary design to its unique culinary experiences, Kimpton Fitzroy London is a luxurious haven to take in the energy of Pride. Plus, it’s central Bloomsbury location gives you easy access to all of the Pride celebrations taking place in the city, including a visit to Soho, one of London’s best-known gay-friendly neighborhoods with an abundance of LGBTQ+ bars and clubs. Before heading out for the night, make sure to stop at Fitz’s, the hotel’s glamorous cocktail den.
Tel Aviv Pride
Visitors from Israel and all over the world come out in full force for Tel Aviv Pride. The first Pride parade took place in 1993, marking a monumental turning point in LGBTQ+ rights in Israel. Since then, Tel Aviv Gay Pride Week has ushered in gay-friendly events across the city. You won’t want to miss this year’s Pride parade on June 10 or any of the other fun events (epic beach parties, anyone?).
Where to Stay: Offering stunning ocean views of the Mediterranean Sea, InterContinental David Tel Aviv is a modern showstopper in a historic city. Here, you’ll only be a seven-minute walk from Charles Clore Park – the last stop in this year’s parade which will transform into a lively afterparty. To recoup the next day, take time to relax and unwind at the outdoor pool or enjoy a luxurious treatment from the hotel’s spa.
Taiwan Pride
Pride celebrations don’t always occur in June or July – October is LGBTQ+ History Month – and many cities around the world hold their Pride parades in October. Taipei, Taiwan, is one of those cities with this year’s parade (one of the largest Pride celebrations in Asia) happening Oct. 29. Taiwan was the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage in 2019, and over the past several years, support for the LGBTQ+ community in Taiwan has been increasing steadily. If you want to visit Asia’s most LGBTQ+ friendly nations, you can’t miss a trip to Taiwan.
Where to Stay: Situated in the Dazhi District, Hotel Indigo Taipei North is a great home base to discover this colorful neighborhood. Adjacent to historical and cultural landmarks, the hotel’s design takes inspiration from the surrounding mountains and river (which you can enjoy panoramic views from SneaKOUT, the hotel’s cozy bar). Plus, there is plenty to see and do near the property, and with a metro station nearby, you can find easy transport to this year’s Pride festivities.
With IHG’s reimagined loyalty program, IHG One Rewards, members receive richer benefits and faster ways to earn and redeem valuable points on each stay. IHG One Rewards members can also earn up to 4X bonus points on stays this summer – perfect for booking that Pride trip.
Ready to get your Pride on? Start planning here.
Ends
About IHG®
IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.
With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has around 6,000 open hotels in over 100 countries, and more than 1,800 in the development pipeline.
- Luxury & Lifestyle: Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo
- Premium: voco hotels, HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels
- Essentials: Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels
- Suites: Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Candlewood Suites
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 325,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.
Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG One Rewards. For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.