Organised by the association Mon Arc-en-Ciel at Stars of Monaco on Wednesday 8th July, this year’s Monaco Pride served as a major turning point for the Principality’s LGBTQIA+ community. While organisers and guests celebrated the gathering, the primary focus remained on securing fundamental rights for workers and families.
Advocates at the event stressed that the push for equality, specifically for social security and legal protections, is not a request for special treatment, but a demand for non-negotiable rights. Annette Anderson, a key figure behind the iconic Stars of Monaco, called on the Principality to ensure that every resident and worker is included and treated as an equal to any other citizen. In an interview with Monaco Life she described the event as follows: “It’s a call to the Principality to make sure that every person who works and lives here is included and is equal to every other citizen and worker in Monaco”.
Legislative and judicial developments
The push for reform involves a coalition of voices, including those within the legal and political spheres. Monegasque politician Béatrice Fresko-Rolfo highlighted a government announcement, which was made on 29th June, regarding the introduction of a new legal mechanism for same-sex civil unions. While advocates see this as a necessary first step, they remain cautious, with Fresko-Rolfo noting that “the devil is always in the details” when it comes to the forthcoming legislative bills.
Sarah Filippi, a lawyer at the Monaco Bar, explained that the judicial system has supported their cause despite some institutional resistance. She hopes that local interpretations of ‘public order’—often used to block change—will evolve to match European standards that guarantee rights for foreign nationals. Reflecting on her involvement, Filippi said to the audience: “It was very complicated for me to take the floor in a fight that I did not think I would one day lead by your side”.
In addition, future laws will prioritise the ‘best interests of the child’, a move to give same-sex families protections similar to traditional households.
Community visibility and continued optimism
Performers and charity volunteers also showed their support. Drag queen Manel Dalgo, a professional performer and long-time volunteer for Fight Aids Monaco (FAM), highlighted the importance of staying visible. Dalgo, who is appearing in a charity cabaret show called ‘FAM’ this December, encouraged the community to keep working toward these goals.
As the Principality moves forward with these reforms, activists remain optimistic, with Filippi concluding, “What I hope is that this subject will quickly no longer be one, and that we will finally be in total equality because I believe that is what each of us deserves”.
See also:
Monaco moves toward same-sex civil unions, government confirms
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Main photo: Lorenzo Turco and Annette Anderson. Photo by Monaco Life