The vibrant heart of Monte-Carlo pulsed with unity and purpose on Thursday evening as nearly 200 people gathered at Marius Monaco to mark the fourth edition of Monaco Pride. Among the crowd were leaders from government, business, civil society, and the LGBTI community—joining forces to both celebrate diversity and confront the continuing inequalities faced by LGBTI residents and workers in the Principality.
The event was opened by Monaco Pride co-founders Lorenzo Turco, Hervé Aeschbach, and Annette Anderson, who reminded attendees why the initiative was launched in 2021: to recognise the contribution of the LGBTI community to Monegasque life, and to draw attention to the legal and social disparities that persist in one of the world’s most glamorous postcodes.
“Visibility is power,” said Anderson, urging those in the community not to hide for fear of discrimination. Quoting former U.S. President Barack Obama, she told the audience, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
While the atmosphere was celebratory—with live music from Fat Cat Hackett and the Diva Darlings, and spirited networking among participants—the underlying message was clear: Monaco has progress to make. The Principality currently ranks 43rd out of 49 European countries on the annual Rainbow Map, a widely used index that measures the legal and policy landscape for LGBTI people. A key concern remains Monaco’s refusal to legally recognise same-sex marriages conducted abroad. This leaves couples without access to family allocations, spousal retirement benefits, or adoption rights—protections readily available to their heterosexual peers.
Anaïs Berutti, co-founder of MonArcEnCiel, reflected on the non-profit’s first year of advocacy and said the time has come to “open a real dialogue, obtain concrete answers, and move forward together.” She also announced the association’s ongoing recruitment drive for new members and sponsors, aimed at amplifying its impact in 2025 and beyond.
Corporate support also played a key role in this year’s Pride. Gaelle Migani, COO of Barclays Private Bank Monaco, and her colleague Ben Hood highlighted the bank’s long-standing commitment to inclusion, noting that diverse workplaces and societies are not just fairer—they’re smarter and more economically resilient. As a visible statement of support, Barclays illuminated its façade on Avenue de la Costa in the colours of the LGBTI flag.
Hervé Aeschbach, former director of Fight Aids Monaco and a veteran of human rights work in the Principality, was heartened by the turnout. “It’s time to make some noise,” he said to rousing applause. It was a rallying cry for a more inclusive future in a country proud of its international character and now taking meaningful steps toward greater equality.
