Papel Pride

A grassroots Pride in the province of Rome

Papel Pride is one of the most original experiences in the Italian LGBTQIA+ landscape: it was not born in a major city, but in a municipality within the metropolitan area of Rome, Monterotondo, in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio. Its starting point is not an institutional committee but a physical space: Papel, a literary café in the city center founded by Laura Seneca, which over time has transformed into a safe space for local queer individuals, alongside the Out of the Closet collective.

For its first few editions, the pride celebration took place primarily within the café's premises, featuring concerts, readings, and shows. Then, in 2025, came the leap: the community took to the streets with the first true city parade, turning the streets of Monterotondo into a shared public space. Since then, Papel Pride has been featured in the national press as one of Italy's smallest Prides, and precisely for that reason, one of the most significant: it proves that visibility is not a privilege reserved for metropolises.

The parade and the city

The heart of the day is the parade, which gathers in the early afternoon and winds through the historic center of Monterotondo, concluding at the Papel premises, where the event dissolves into a long party. Floats, flags, handmade signs, and loud music: the parade maintains a deliberately artisanal and participatory dimension, with an invitation to all citizens to bring their "voices and colors".

The route is more than just an itinerary: crossing the streets of a provincial town center has a clear political value, as it makes a community visible that might otherwise face greater isolation in non-metropolitan contexts. This is one of the recurring themes in the speeches from the stage, alongside denied rights and safety in public spaces.

Between performance, drag, and culture

The program alternates between political and artistic moments. Drag queens play a central role as godmothers and performers, with a clear philosophy: drag language is not mere entertainment, but an expression of culture, politics, and identity. Alongside the stage, there is space for debates, speeches by local LGBTQIA+ associations, DJ sets, and book presentations, often hosted in local bookstores in the late afternoon.

• City parade through the historic center
• Drag shows and artistic performances
• Speeches by associations and activists
• Book presentations and cultural meetings
• Music and DJ sets at the Papel venue

A year-round commitment

Papel Pride is not an isolated event: the organizers run listening groups, support activities, and initiatives throughout the year aimed primarily at young people, to combat loneliness in provincial settings. The June day is therefore the most visible moment of ongoing community work.

When to go

The event is held every year in June, during Pride month, typically on a Saturday afternoon. Monterotondo is about twenty kilometers from Rome and is easily accessible by train, making Papel Pride a viable destination even for those arriving from the capital who want to experience a city-sized Pride that is less overwhelming and closer to the people who bring it to life.