Copenhagen Pride once again filled the streets of the Danish capital with festivity and color, though participation numbers were lower than in previous years. According to Benjamin Hansen, the chair of Copenhagen Pride, at least 15,000 people took part in Saturday’s parade. The police estimated that the number of spectators along the route was at the same level as last year, with around 250,000 people in attendance.

Last year, the parade boasted around 35,000 participants, and the organization anticipated approximately 20,000 this year. However, the final count was around 15,000, which is significantly lower than earlier estimates. Since February, Copenhagen Pride has faced considerable challenges following a statement expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people, which raised questions regarding its partners’ activities in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Despite issuing a subsequent apology, nearly half of the sponsors withdrew their support, as reported in May.

Before the festival, Benjamin Hansen emphasized that these issues would not affect the event’s execution. “Copenhagen Pride will be as it always is, and most people will not notice the difference,” he stated in a written comment prior to the event.

The parade celebrates and highlights the rights of LGBTI+ individuals, beginning at Frederiksberg Town Hall and making its way through the city to City Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen). LGBTI+ encompasses various sexual minorities and gender identities, and the festival serves as a significant tribute to diversity, inclusion, love, and community.