For many people, especially in Western societies, the past decade felt like a time of unprecedented progress for LGBTQ+ communities. Pride parades grew in size and visibility, rainbow flags adorned city halls and corporate logos every June and queer characters took centre stage in popular media – from Netflix series like Heartstopper, Sex Education and Orange Is the New Black, to Oscar-winning films like Moonlight. These cultural milestones contributed to a widespread belief that queerness had finally entered the mainstream; that society, at last, was moving in the right direction.

But in 2025, that optimism is being severely tested. The political and social landscape in both the United States and Europe has shifted dramatically and the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation reveals a sobering truth: progress is not linear and rights that were once considered secure are now under active threat. This year’s Pride Month should not just be a celebration of identity and love – it should be a vital reminder of the work still ahead and a call to resist a growing wave of backlash.

The Political Backlash in the United States

In the United States, the last few years have witnessed an alarming surge in legislative efforts aimed at restricting the rights of LGBTQ+ people, particularly trans and non-binary individuals. More than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures since 2021, with many becoming law. These include so-called “Don’t Say Gay” laws that ban teachers from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity in classrooms, effectively erasing queer identities from educational spaces. Other bills criminalise gender-affirming healthcare for minors, going so far as to threaten parents and medical professionals with prosecution for supporting a child’s transition. Some states have also pushed to restrict drag performances in public, framing them as harmful to children, despite no evidence supporting such claims. These legislative trends are not isolated. They are part of a coordinated effort by conservative think tanks, religious lobbying groups and right-wing politicians to roll back civil rights under the guise of “protecting children” or “defending family values”.

This backlash is not just political. It is cultural. Right-wing media personalities and influencers have increasingly targeted LGBTQ+ people in their rhetoric, fuelling moral panic and misinformation. Online harassment, boycotts and conspiracy theories – such as the baseless claim that queerness is being “indoctrinated” into children – have gained traction in mainstream discourse. What we are witnessing is not a fringe phenomenon but a concerted effort to re-stigmatise queer existence. In this climate, Pride becomes more than a tradition; it is an act of defiance, of visibility and of survival.

The Rise of Right-Wing Extremism in Europe

While the United States garners much attention, Europe is also facing a troubling resurgence of far-right ideologies that are deeply hostile to LGBTQ+ rights. In countries like Hungary and Poland, governments have institutionalised homophobia and transphobia through legislation and public messaging. Hungary, for example, passed a law banning the depiction of LGBTQ+ content in schools and children’s media, effectively labelling queerness as harmful. In Poland, the rise of “LGBT-free zones” – municipalities that have declared themselves opposed to so-called “LGBT ideology” – has created a climate of fear and exclusion. These are not symbolic gestures; they send a clear message that queer people are not welcome and that their identities are incompatible with national or religious values.

Elsewhere in Europe, the rise of populist and nationalist parties has placed LGBTQ+ rights at risk in more subtle but equally insidious ways. In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her party have questioned the legality of same-sex parenting and proposed restrictions on adoption by queer couples. In Spain, far-right parties have gained traction by spreading disinformation about gender education and opposing trans rights. Even in countries with relatively strong legal protections, such as Germany or France, far-right parties like the AfD and Rassemblement National are gaining momentum – and with them, openly anti-queer platforms. This political shift is often accompanied by a cultural narrative that frames LGBTQ+ inclusion as a symptom of “decadent liberalism”, threatening traditional values and national identity.

In this environment, Pride takes on a new urgency. It becomes not only a space for joy and self-expression, but a frontline in the defence of democracy and human rights.

Hate Crimes and Violence on the Rise

The consequences of this political and cultural shift are not theoretical. They are being felt in real and often violent ways. Hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people have risen significantly across both the United States and Europe. In 2024 alone, multiple Pride events were targeted by violent extremists. In some cases, events were cancelled due to safety concerns. Trans people, in particular, face disproportionate levels of violence, discrimination and even murder. In the US, the Human Rights Campaign has tracked an increase in fatal violence against trans and gender-nonconforming people, especially Black and Latinx trans women.

The normalisation of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric has lowered the threshold for harassment and assault. People feel emboldened to shout slurs, vandalise queer spaces or attack individuals simply for existing openly. The internet, too, has become a dangerous space – with coordinated hate campaigns, doxxing and misinformation spreading rapidly. In this context, Pride is a vital counterforce. It asserts the right of queer people to be seen, to take up space and to live freely and safely. It also offers a visible show of solidarity that can make a difference in the lives of those who are isolated or afraid.

Queer Youth Under Threat

Young LGBTQ+ people today face a complex paradox. On one hand, they have greater access to language, resources and online communities that affirm their identities. On the other, they are growing up in a world where their existence is politicised, debated and increasingly criminalised. For many queer youths, coming out is still a terrifying prospect – especially in conservative communities or in homes where acceptance is far from guaranteed. The mental health statistics are deeply concerning: queer youth are significantly more likely to experience depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation, often as a result of family rejection, bullying or societal stigma.

The current political climate only worsens these challenges. Laws that ban discussion of LGBTQ+ topics in schools mean that queer students are erased from the curriculum, denied role models and made to feel invisible. In some cases, educators are legally prohibited from affirming a student’s gender identity or even acknowledging it. This systemic erasure has devastating consequences.

In such an environment, Pride Month becomes not just a celebration but a lifeline. It shows young people that they are not alone, that they have a community behind them and that their identities are not something to be hidden or ashamed of – but something to be proud of.

Pride Is Protest – And Always Has Been

As corporate floats and sponsorships have become a staple of many Pride parades, it’s easy to forget that Pride began as a riot. In June 1969, queer and trans people – many of them Black and Brown – fought back against police raids at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. What followed was not a party, but a protest. Pride was born out of resistance, civil disobedience and the refusal to remain silent in the face of systemic oppression.

Today, that legacy matters more than ever. As the rights of LGBTQ+ people come under renewed attack, Pride must reclaim its original purpose. It’s not about rainbow merchandise or social media branding. It’s about making noise, taking up space and demanding justice. It’s about remembering that the progress society has made was not given freely; it was fought for and it must be defended.

In 2025, Pride is not a luxury. It is a necessity.

Global Solidarity in a Divided World

While much of the conversation focuses on Western democracies, it’s crucial to remember that around the world, LGBTQ+ people continue to face extreme violence and oppression. In Uganda, a harsh anti-gay law passed in 2023 introduced life imprisonment and even the death penalty for some same-sex acts. In Russia, “LGBT propaganda” laws have been expanded to effectively criminalise any public expression of queer identity.

Pride Month is not only a time to reflect on local challenges, but to stand in solidarity with global struggles. Queer liberation must be international, intersectional and inclusive of the most marginalised. Pride is a moment to amplify voices that are silenced, to support activists on the front lines and to remind the world that LGBTQ+ rights are human rights, everywhere.

Why Pride 2025 Matters

There was a time when many believed the fight for LGBTQ+ equality was nearly over; that the tide had turned irreversibly in favour of inclusion, acceptance and dignity. But the events of the past few years have shattered that illusion. Progress is fragile. Rights can be rolled back. Visibility can be weaponised.