The Danish Parliament (Folketinget) will fly the rainbow flag during Pride week in Copenhagen in August, despite several sponsors withdrawing their support for Copenhagen Pride. The Presidium of the Parliament, which is the leadership, has discussed the issue and decided to raise the flag, as stated in a press release from the Parliament. The Speaker of the Parliament, Søren Gade, explains in the statement that the rainbow flag primarily represents a cause rather than a specific organization. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the freedom to be who you are and live the life you want.
Several companies, including Netto, Maersk, and Novo Nordisk, have withdrawn their support for Copenhagen Pride after a controversy about their stance on the conflict between Israel and Gaza. Copenhagen Pride originally asked its partners to take a position on the conflict, but later retracted the statements and announced that partners should not take sides after all. This controversy has also led to the resignation of Copenhagen Pride’s former chairperson and spokesperson, Lars Henriksen.
The Danish Parliament will raise the rainbow flag on the Saturday of Pride week, a tradition they have followed since 2020. The flag will be placed on one of the two flagpoles in front of the main staircase at Christiansborg, where the Danish flag will fly on the other pole. The decision to fly the rainbow flag is currently valid until 2024, and the matter will be reassessed next year.