Believe it or not – one of the world’s most colorful events will be held at one of the world’s most unlikely of places. Yes, Antarctica will be setting the stage for love and acceptance by organizing its first official Pride March this June. Preparations for the celebration have begun since April itself, when ten LGBTQ+ workers at the United States McMurdo Station came forward with the Pride flag to initiate the movement. Apart from spreading awareness regarding the LGTBQ community in the world, the initiation has been a lovely personal experience for many of the workers.
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The event will be held at McMurdo Station, Antarctica’s largest research station, promising to be a fun-filled occasion with game sets and movies. Though there are only 133 people stationed at the moment, the workers have hosted several other LGBTQ social events and enjoyed LGBTQ-positive TV shows. Shawn Waldron and Evan Townsend, who work at the station, believe that their initiative will reach out to as many people from the LGBTQ community as possible. According to Townsend, the limited population on the continent helps people to come out of the closet, and make personal friendships with each other.
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Whereas there are so many ‘developed’ countries that have failed to accept the LGBT community wholeheartedly Antarctica has been claimed to be the world’s first ‘LGBT-friendly country’. In 2016 Aaron Jackson had travelled around Antarctica with the Pride Flag to demonstrate LGBTQ rights. Jackson is the Founder and the President of the non-profit organization ‘Planting Peace’, which helps in promoting peace all over the world. The organization is also known for buying a house opposite to the anti-LGBTQ Westboro Baptist Church and painting it in rainbow colors.
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Despite being located at such a remote corner of the world, the Pride March is a progressive event as it encourages the people of the LGBTQ community to express themselves without judgment, fear and discrimination. Promoting the values of inclusivity and open-mindedness among us all, the Pride March will be a historical event in the history of Antarctica – otherwise known as a land of ice, rock and penguins.
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