By Rich Waterworth, General Manager, TikTok EU

Every summer, in towns and cities around the world, Pride fills our streets with colourful, love-filled, and joy-inspiring celebrations of the LGBTQ+ community. That the Covid-19 pandemic has limited in-person celebrations this year, as Pride marks its 50th anniversary, is a huge disappointment for many. So, to make up for it, we've been having a month-long Pride celebration on TikTok across Europe.  

Over the last few weeks, our creators have been talking about their #PrideIcon and sharing what or who they are coming out for, with more than half a million videos set to Diana Ross’s iconic track I’m Coming Out. As a platform, we've organised an amazing series of LIVEs with LGBTQ+ trailblazers and allies, and we're highlighting iconic artists and tracks on the app's Sounds page. Finally, we're featuring the best and brightest of TikTok’s LGBTQ+ community and some of our amazing TikTok employees in a new brand film .

Pride also serves as a powerful reminder of how far societies have yet to go to root out the discrimination and hate that the LGBTQ+ community still faces day in and day out. As an organisation, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the LGBTQ+ community as it continues to fight for acceptance and equal rights.

We’re proud to be partnering with charities across Europe that are fighting to protect and further the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. We’ve launched new donation stickers for the LGBT Foundation in the UK, La Refuge in France and Diversity in Italy, among others, to make it easier for our creators to support these causes with in-app donations. We are also working with these partners, and others like them, to become a better employer, a better platform and a better ally for the LGBTQ+ community.

Our commitment to the LGBTQ+ community extends well beyond Pride. Everything we do at TikTok is about providing a safe space for people to express their ideas and creativity, no matter who they are or who they love.

Wishing you all a happy Pride!