We will not be sabotaged

The smear campaign against Copenhagen Pride’s artists has gone too far and is damaging our community.

Once again, a smear campaign is being waged against Copenhagen Pride and some of our artists. A campaign that involves public accusations of the artists as people who receive blood money.

The accusations that Copenhagen Pride’s board prioritises money over activism are unfounded. All of our funds are used solely to support the rainbow community, and no board members, including our chairperson, receive a salary.

We are a non-profit NGO, which means that we do not support any government, including the Danish government, and we have no way of making a profit – all our funds are used to support and promote our community.

Copenhagen Pride has a clear ethical policy on partnerships. For example, we do not collaborate with arms dealers or support rogue states, and we base our assessments on UN lists. We do our research.

Copenhagen Pride is an LGBTI+ organisation with a clear purpose: To strengthen and make the rainbow community visible.

There are many important and hard-working rainbow organisations in Denmark that fight for the rights of their members. Our mission is to support them in their work, promoting rainbow culture, rainbow businesses and activist projects by creating platforms for them.

The campaigns against us cause great harm by undermining this important work.

Public shaming of people who participate in Copenhagen Pride with crude accusations of receiving blood money and supporting genocide is both unacceptable and untrue. These accusations jeopardise people’s livelihoods and safety. The accusations against artists and activists are particularly dangerous as they can lead to threats and harassment.

It’s fine to fight hard for a specific cause, but we will not accept the sabotage of our cause and harassment of our participants.

We urge you to stop this smear campaign – not for our sake, but for the sake of the artists and performers who are being attacked with outrageous and untrue accusations.

We do not want division within the community as it only benefits our opponents. Unfortunately, it seems that the greatest damage to our community right now is coming from a small group of people within the community itself. They should not be allowed to destroy the work of all the important associations and deprive them of their platforms.

That’s why we say to all our artists: by performing at Copenhagen Pride, you are contributing to a cause that strengthens our community and promotes equality. Your participation helps us create an inclusive society for more people.

We are proud of the work we do together and the community we work for. Your participation in Copenhagen Pride is an important part of our mission to celebrate diversity and promote acceptance.

And most importantly: We have your back.