New Voices of Solidarity experience invites the world to watch together, reflect together, and build community beyond the Awards

Amsterdam, Netherlands — July 21, 2026 — As LGBTQIA+ communities gather for WorldPride Amsterdam 2026, Charter for Compassion, in partnership with Rainbow Advocacy Foundation and OUR PRIDE Connect, will host a global community gathering surrounding the 2026 International Pride Awards on Wednesday, August 5.

The event creates a welcoming online space where participants from around the world can experience the official International Pride Awards livestream together before continuing the conversation through live discussion, film, and global networking.

Presented annually by UNDP and ILGA World, the International Pride Awards recognize individuals and organizations whose courage, leadership, and commitment are advancing equality, dignity, and inclusion for LGBTQIA+ people worldwide.

Rather than simply watching the ceremony, participants will share the experience as a global community.

Following the Awards livestream, Felipe Zurita Quintana, representing Charter for Compassion, will host Voices of Solidarity Live, inviting attendees from every region of the world to reflect on the stories they have witnessed, celebrate this year's recipients, and explore how compassion, storytelling, and community can inspire continued action.

The evening will continue with a special presentation from the Queer2Queer Video Series, followed by an audience Q&A with filmmaker Bennett Singer (subject to confirmation), and a screening of the acclaimed documentary Brother Outsider, celebrating the life and legacy of civil rights strategist Bayard Rustin.

The gathering is designed for participants who are unable to attend the Awards ceremony in Amsterdam, creating a worldwide space where people can experience one of WorldPride's most meaningful events together.

The following evening, Thursday, August 6, Voices of Solidarity continues with an international celebration of storytelling, featuring live music, international LGBTQIA+ short films, filmmaker conversations, the global launch of Steps to Liberation, and the introduction of OUR PRIDE Connect, a new initiative designed to foster year-round collaboration among LGBTQIA+ advocates, artists, educators, and allies.

"The International Pride Awards celebrate extraordinary people who are changing our world," said John Boswell, President of Rainbow Advocacy Foundation. "Our hope is to extend that celebration beyond the ceremony itself by creating a place where people everywhere can gather, reflect together, and build lasting global connections."

"Compassion begins with listening to one another's stories," said Felipe Zurita Quintana, Global Host of the August 5 gathering on behalf of Charter for Compassion. "By bringing people together from different countries and cultures, we hope to create meaningful conversations that continue long after the Awards have concluded."

Together, the two-day experience transforms a livestream into a shared international gathering centered on recognition, storytelling, compassion, and community.

Participants may join from anywhere in the world through OUR PRIDE Connect, with registration available online.