March 17, 2008
The Honorable Nikitas Kaklamanis
Mayor of Athens, City Hall
63 Athinas Street,
Athens 105 52
Greece
Dear Mayor Kaklamanis,
On behalf of the City and County of San Francisco, it is with great encouragement that I write to you about the possibility of hosting the Pride Parade in the beautiful City of Athens.
Each year our city hosts a magnificent Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Pride Parade and event that attracts nearly one million visitors to San Francisco during the summer. Pride has been a significant yearly event for San Francisco since 1972 and helps build the unique character of our city. The theme of San Francisco’s Pride this year is “United for Pride, Bound for Equality,” which greatly reflects our mission of guaranteeing civil rights to all citizens.
The theme of Athens Pride event this year is very similar to ours in that your LGBT community is working for equality and embracing their diversity within your city. Though the Athens Pride celebration is very new to your city, it has the potential to eventually bring Athens great success, like it has done for San Francisco.
San Francisco has always enjoyed hosting a large Pride festival and for being recognized as a city that strives to celebrate diversity. I encourage you to host Athens Pride this year, and to send the message of equality throughout your beautiful city and the world.
With warmest regards,
Gavin Newsom
Mayor