Moldova Pride 2025 Festival has begun: “We are at a decisive moment. The future belongs to us, but we must defend it”

Moldova Pride 2025 Festival has begun: “We are at a decisive moment. The future belongs to us, but we must defend it”

Chișinău, 11 June 2025 – Last night, the 24th edition of the Moldova Pride Festival officially opened in the presence of the LGBTQI+ community, allies, diplomats and civil society partners. Under the slogan “Don’t Mess with the 5%”, this year’s edition calls for civic responsibility and solidarity in the face of political and social threats targeting LGBTQI+ people.

The event was opened by Angelica Frolov, Executive Director of the GENDERDOC-M Information Centre, who spoke candidly about the festival’s 24-year history and the challenges of the present:

“For the first time in my life, I am no longer certain of a safe future. We are at a decisive moment—one that will lead our country either towards a future in which LGBT+ people are citizens with equal rights, or back towards a past in which every act of visibility will come at the cost of our lives and health.”

Angelica Frolov issued a strong appeal to citizens and political leaders, reminding them that elections crucial to the future of democracy and equality in the Republic of Moldova would take place in the autumn. “There is still time to prevent a possible tragedy for our community. We must roll up our sleeves and fight,” she added.

In recognition of courage within the community, the celebration also included a rainbow flag-raising ceremony, with activists Eugen Gînju and Lux given the honour this year.

Awards for civic courage and engagement

The ceremony also featured the presentation of the Inimi Implicate (“Committed Hearts”) Awards, given annually to people who make a significant contribution to defending LGBTQI+ rights. This year’s recipients are:

Veaceslav Mulear – Coordinator of GENDERDOC-M’s Health Programme, the first gay man to take the Police of the Republic of Moldova to court—and win.

Katarzyna Remin – a Polish activist, founder of a network of parents supporting their LGBTQI+ children and of the “Let Us Offer Each Other a Sign of Peace” initiative in Poland.

Awards were also presented to:

Cristina Prepeliță, Lorelei Grigoriță, Elvira Dragnoi, Igor Brumărețchi and Eugen Gînju – for their civic courage and willingness to be publicly visible.

Antonina Goloseeva and Cătălin Lungu – in recognition of their support for and loyalty to Moldova’s LGBTQI+ community.

Diplomatic allies standing with the community

His Excellency Fred Duijn, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Moldova, and Falk Lange, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chișinău, spoke at the opening. Their speeches reaffirmed their firm commitment to human rights and continued support for Moldova’s LGBTQI+ community.

About the festival

The Moldova Pride Festival is organised annually by the GENDERDOC-M Information Centre and features a series of civic, cultural and community events. This year’s programme includes:

Pride Park 2025 – 14 June, in central Chișinău: an outdoor festival dedicated to free expression, art, activism and queer health.

Pride March – 15 June, through the streets of the capital, as an act of resistance and dignity.

Dozens of events are being organised as part of the festival, all aimed at providing space, safety and visibility for a community that refuses to remain silent.

For more details, follow the official Moldova Pride Festival page or watch live streams of the events on Instagram: @centrul_gdm.

#MoldovaPride2025

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