As a community we fall in love and create relationships of tenderness and affection, while many of us create our own families, which we usually have to keep out of sight in order to protect them. In a society that denies and stigmatizes them, the Greek government fails to vote legislation that protects the families of LGBTQI people and allow them to live in dignity enjoying the same rights as all other families. From adoption not being foreseen by the law for Civil Partnership bill to the exclusion of married trans people from the Legal Gender Recognition bill and the annulment of the same-sex marriage performed in Tilos by the Supreme Court, the family life of LGBTQI people continues to be ignored institutionally and thus put at risk.

As LGBTQI individuals though we don’t only create families, but also grow in them often in difficulty since our family relationships are tested from negative stereotypes and the stigma from which our community suffers. Thus, it is an undisputed fact that the self-acceptance of a LGBTQI child begins often within the family and by the acceptance of the child’s sexual or gender identity from their parents.

From the 20th to the 23th of June 2018, Thessaloniki Pride fights for our right to parenthood and to making our own families while emphasizing on the bond of our existing family. With a slogan of “A Family Thing” we welcome all to join Thessaloniki Pride’s inclusive family and celebrate in a series of art exhibitions, outdoor parties, concerts and, of course, the big Pride Parade on Saturday, 23rd of June.

Wednesday, 20.6 Zefksidos st.
17:30-23:30 OPEN AIR CHECKPOINT PARTY
Outdoor street party and cosplay contest
Positive Voice & ThessCheckpoint

Thursday, 21.6
20:30-22:30 ΜΥ CHILD Oikopolis (29Α Ptolemaion, 5th fl.)
A feature documentary by Can Candan (Turkish, Greek subtitles)
Thessaloniki International LGBT+ Film Festival
22:30-00:00 Short Animation Films Urania Bar (4 Paikou, rooftop)
Animation screening
TAF – Thessaloniki Animation Festival

Friday, 22.6
18:30-20:30 PRIDE FORUM City Hall, M. Anagnostakis Hall (1 Vas. Georgiou)
LGBTIQ people and family life: the challenges
Rainbow Families, Proud Parents, 11528 By Your Side
19:30-21:00 STREET ACTIONS Chrimatistiriou sq.
My life, my rights: informative action
Transgender Support Association
 Interactive floor game
TRY – Thessaloniki Rainbow Youth
21:00-2:00 STREET PARTY Chrimatistiriou sq.
DJ sets

Saturday, 23.6 White Tower
12:00-18:30 PRIDE FAIR
info kiosks
body painting
pride shop
 rapid test
games (Mind Trap)
photo booth
free hugs
meditation
workshops
human library
18:30-19:00 STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT
by participating organizations, bodies and the Mayor
19:00-21:00 PRIDE PARADE
Pride march at the center of Thessaloniki (Ethnikis Aminis, Tsimiski, Venizelou, Nikis)
21:30-00:30 PRIDE CONCERT
Concert by the rainbow-lighted White Tower

Parallel events
U=U Ypsilon (5 Edessis)
Campaign briefing “HIV: Undetectable = Untransmittable”
Positive Voice & ThessCheckpoint
duration: 19.6 19:00-20:30
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE TOSS gallery @ La Doze (1 Vilara)
A. Kaiafas art exhibition
duration: 19-29.6 20:00-2:00 (opening 21.6 21:00) 
QUEERPOP DESIRES Anothen (22 Kar. Ntil, 1st fl.)
Dante Amoretto art exhibition
duration: 16.6-5.7 9:30-3:00, (opening 16.6 20:00)
ILLUSTRAIGHT (OR NOT)? BAU’s (5 Navarinou sq. & Vironos)
Art exhibition
AddArt
duration: 17.6-10.7 18:00-3:00, (opening 17.6 20:00)