Athens Pride Party 1996 -2001

Back then our pride could not go out and parade in the streets, but it found its expression in big parties. These parties were organized with great passion.

I will never forget the first one in 1996 (which I co-organized with a very beautiful non-Greek girl whom I wish to acknowledge for her invaluable assistance). When I woke up the next day I received a call from the Municipality of Athens and was met with an astonishingly hefty fine for plastering the entirety of Athens with posters for my party!

I organized some Pride Events on my own, one with the assistance of Fotis Sergoulopoulos and Yannis Tsirogiannis, and two Pride Events with Grigoris Vallianatos.

MARIA CYBERDYKE

“Since 1996, Cyberdykes have organized a series of Pride Events in a large Athenian club, uniting the entire gay & lesbian scene of Athens. I present you one of my press releases that has been preserved since then and here you can see all the flyers of the Athens Pride Parties, where I was having guests from abroad and bringing together the most famous names of the Athenian music scene. Back when the word parade still seemed like a joke. Historic events, mass postering, flyers and a crowd overflowing with pride.”

PRESS RELEASE:

ATHENS GAY PRIDE PARTY`99

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual

“The end of discrimination at the end of the millennium”

WED.30 JUN

PLUS SODA

Jimmy Somerville

A personal appearance

On stage 02.00

He has openly declared his homosexuality.

He began his career in the late ’70s. A founding member of Bronski Beat and the Communards, he enjoyed huge success in the ’80s and established himself as one of the biggest pop icons. Since the late ’80s he has maintained a highly successful career. Getting to ’99, Jimmy Somerville presents his new album “Manage the damage”, featuring the amazing first single “Something to live for”, set for release on June 28th by Planetworks.

DJ Line up:

FOTIS SERGOULOPOULOS
MS LEFKI
AKYLLAS
L-SEGA
JUNIOR SP.

Supported by :

Magna, Dazzle, PlanetWorks, MadTv, OZON, ARTS&HOLIDAYS, Air Manos, Greek Gay Guide, Queer Nation, Bears of Athens