Substantial Financial Allocation of €175,000 Secured for Lisbon's EuroPride Event
The Lisbon City Council has approved a collaborative agreement for EuroPride 2025, with the Mayor and the Councillor for Economy and Innovation voting in favor. The vote was possible due to the backing from the PSD/CDS-PP leadership, which governs Lisbon without an absolute majority.
The PS and PCP councillors abstained, while the opposition parties, including Livre, Cidadãos Por Lisboa, and the Left Bloc, voted against the proposal. The decision comes amid concerns about the "public controversies" surrounding the organization of EuroPride, with several entities abandoning the project citing a lack of support from the city council.
At stake is the transfer of €175,000 to Variações, the LGBTI Trade and Tourism Association of Portugal. The opposition councillors have expressed concerns about the association, with BE stating that it was "forced" to vote against this support due to Diogo Vieira da Silva, a former chairman of Variações, being under investigation for embezzlement and fraud.
The PS council has voiced "serious concerns" about the absence of LGBTI+ organizations in EuroPride and the lack of detail in the event's program, which is less than a month away. The council has also raised concerns over the disproportionate amount of resources allocated to EuroPride compared to other initiatives in the city.
In response, the PSD/CDS-PP leadership explained that the EuroPride collaboration agreement does not diminish support for other city initiatives. EuroPride is a significant European event focusing on human rights issues, aiming to foster dialogue, solidarity, and resistance in the face of challenges related to democratic values and fundamental rights in Europe. The event involves various stakeholders such as activists, community leaders, policymakers, and allies.
EuroPride 2025 faces controversy due to political or social disagreements, with some parties opposing public funding for LGBTQIA+ events due to ideological differences. These controversies can stem from differing opinions on the allocation of public funds, the political climate, and social attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ issues.
In light of the ongoing concerns, the resolution to proceed with EuroPride 2025 will likely continue to generate debate within the Lisbon City Council.
The transfer of €175,000 to Variações, the LGBTI Trade and Tourism Association of Portugal, for EuroPride 2025 has sparked controversy in Portugal's political arena, with opposition councillors voicing concerns about the association and the investigation into Diogo Vieira da Silva, a former chairman of Variações.
Despite these concerns, the Lisbon City Council's decision to support EuroPride 2025 is a significant step in the European event's focus on human rights issues, aiming to foster dialogue, solidarity, and resistance in the face of challenges related to democratic values and fundamental rights in Europe.
