Heraklion Self-Organized Pride Initiative

The Heraklion Self-Organised Pride Initiative (Αυτοοργανωμένο Pride Ηρακλείου) is the grassroots collective behind Crete's main Pride. First staging a march in 2015, this volunteer assembly of LGBTQIA+ students, activists and young residents organises the annual festival each summer without corporate sponsorship, funding it through merchandise and community fundraising. Alongside the march — which traditionally sets off from Georgiadis Park — it runs talks, film screenings, performances and parties, and acts as the most visible LGBTQ+ community presence in a city with no permanent queer venue. It is an event-organising collective rather than a walk-in centre, so the easiest way to reach it is through its social media around Pride season (early July).