From May 29 to June 14, 2026, Vienna will once again become the stage for Vienna Pride, Austria’s largest LGBTIQ human rights event. Vienna Pride is an annual fixture for the LGBTIQ community and a platform to advocate for equality and human rights with joy of life, visibility, and exchange. At the same time, it is clear that the path to full equality is still a long one.
Cuts to city funding lead to adjustments in the program
Due to budgetary pressure and the associated savings measures, there will be cuts to funding from the City of Vienna. As a result, Vienna Pride will open for the first time with a one-day Community Festival in the Prater featuring the Pride Run Vienna, and the Pride Village at City Hall Square can only take place in an adapted one-day format on the day of the Rainbow Parade. Other events will remain largely unaffected by the cuts.
The austerity measures of the City of Vienna are hitting Vienna Pride hard. Katharina Kacerovsky-Strobl, organizer of Vienna Pride and Managing Director of Stonewall GmbH, says: “Of course we are disappointed that the City of Vienna has to cut back on human rights work and that funding for Vienna Pride is being reduced by almost 50% to 350,000 euros, especially since Vienna Pride generates a multiple of that amount in added value for the city through tourism and similar effects. With all understanding for the economic challenges: such a cut must not be repeated. But it is also clear that it will not slow down the fight for our rights. As organizer, we bear the responsibility to ensure that Vienna Pride remains strong, visible, and effective in 2026, and we will live up to that responsibility. At the same time, it is important to us that the City of Vienna continues to recognize Vienna Pride for what it is: a central human rights and social institution of this city. Because a society that stands up for the rights of LGBTIQ people is a more open, inclusive, and stronger society for everyone.”
Ann-Sophie Otte, Chair of HOSI Wien, which organizes the Rainbow Parade, says: “That the city is also cutting funding in the field of human rights is frustrating. Especially in challenging times, reliable signals for protection, visibility, and equality are important. We are aware of the economic framework conditions and at the same time want to emphasize that such cuts must remain the exception so that equality for LGBTIQ people can finally be achieved. At the same time, we expect other key projects such as the Center for Trans Medicine to be consistently pursued.”
As the organizer of Austria’s largest human rights event, there is an awareness that in (financially) difficult times everyone has to do their part; therefore Katharina Kacerovsky-Strobl takes a constructive stance: “Especially now, as hatred against LGBTIQ people is intensifying, it is crucial that we stand closely together with all allies. The City of Vienna remains an important partner in this regard. At the same time, we will also organize a diverse and visible Vienna Pride in 2026. Vienna Pride is not just a series of events, but a place where queer people come together, find strength together, and appear visibly and proudly. That is why we will open Vienna Pride 2026 with a one-day Community Village in the Prater, where queer associations and communities can present themselves, enable exchange, and make LGBTIQ culture tangible for everyone. The Pride Run in the evening rounds off the day as a sporty Pride highlight. Over two weeks, a wide variety of side events will take place throughout Vienna.”
Rainbow Parade: Highlight of Vienna Pride
The highlight of Vienna Pride is the Rainbow Parade on June 13. As Austria’s largest demonstration, it sends a strong signal for equality and human rights. Tens of thousands of participants will once again march along the Ring Road against the direction of traffic.
Otte says: “Equality for LGBTIQ people has still not been achieved. The current government boasts of having the most comprehensive LGBTIQ government program ever. Now we are waiting for implementation: so-called conversion therapies, in which queer people are supposed to be ‘reprogrammed’ through psychological torture, as well as medically unnecessary operations on intersex minors, are still permitted – both must finally be banned. Especially in times of harsh cuts in the social sector, trans people must be granted non-discriminatory access to health services. The Rainbow Parade will also take our demands for protection and equal rights to the streets in 2026. Together with our supporters, we will once again set a strong sign for equality and human rights.”
City of Vienna must reduce funding
Deputy Mayor Bettina Emmerling (NEOS) emphasizes: “Despite a tense budgetary situation, it is important to me to continue to guarantee the visibility of the LGBTIQ community and to jointly uphold Vienna as a rainbow capital. Diversity, respect, and the right to live openly and self-determinedly are fundamental values of our society. Especially in challenging times, it is important to maintain solidarity and togetherness.”
Professional exchange and strong volunteer commitment
The Vienna Pride Conference will take place on May 29 at Vienna City Hall. Experts from politics, academia, business, and civil society will discuss current challenges and solutions for the LGBTIQ community.
Vienna Pride is largely carried by the community itself: around 200 volunteers will once again organize events, staff booths, and help shape the program in 2026. Together with the Vienna Pride Advisory Board, they ensure that the community spirit of Vienna Pride is preserved. The organizers would like to thank them already now.
Inquiries & Contact
Vienna Pride Press
Phone: +43 678 1329688
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://viennapride.at