The City in Vigil
Explore cities that welcome vigils, creating spaces of inclusion and hope.
The history of the Vigils
Learn more on the first Vigil and how they became an international event
Grarphic Kit
Download the free and customizable graphic kit, to promote local vigils
Interviews
A series. ofinterviews to pastors, experts, NGO leaders, courtesy of La Tenda di Gionata
Testimonies
Stories of faith and welcome that
illuminate the path towards more open and inclusive communities.
COMING SOON
The Vigils
Every May, churches and communities across the world pause together to pray in vigil.
The Vigils For the Overcoming of Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, are simple, but powerful gatherings of people who light a candle, say a prayer, and remember those hurt or lost due to homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia. But they are also moments of shared joy, gratitude, and hope. They are not protests but acts of presence, of love, and invitations to believe that something better is possible.
The Story
The first vigil was held in 2007, after the suicide of Matteo, a sixteen-year-old boy from Turin who had endured daily bullying in silence. His death left behind a question: how could Church leaders remain silent? To break that silence a group of LGBT Christians in Florence lit a candle. That simple act began a movement. In that first year, 14 cities held vigils. Over time, the tradition has grown into a network of communities praying and remembering together.
To Vigil
To vigil is to resist erasure.
It means refusing indifference,
affirming the dignity of those
who suffer violence or exclusion
because of who they are.
It is a way to say
we are still here.
We remember.
We hope.
GNRC and The Vigils
GNRC renews its collaboration with La Tenda di Gionata to support the international spread of the Vigils, bringing wider connections, more languages, and a shared commitment to building bridges between LGBT+ people of faith and Christian communities worldwide. This year, GNRC will also encourage the production of informative materials, community focused content, and broader dissemination to further strengthen the visibility and impact of the Vigils.
La Tenda di Gionata and The Vigils
Since 2007, the association La Tenda di Gionata has supported the Vigils in Italy by connecting local groups, sharing resources, offering logistical guidance, and helping the movement grow. It has created liturgical booklets, published testimonies, and coordinated communication between communities. Thanks to this ongoing effort, the Vigils have expanded, remained accessible, and welcomed people from diverse backgrounds and traditions.
But above all, the Vigils
belong to the community.
Quick Links
Visuals
Every year a free graphic kit is distributed to support local vigils. These materials include posters, social media visuals, and templates that can be downloaded and adapted by anyone organising a vigil.
Quick Links
Graphic Kit
Every year, La Tenda di Gionata produces a free graphic kit to support local vigils. These materials are curated by artist Alessandro Ludovico Previti and include posters, social media visuals, and templates that can be downloaded and adapted by anyone organising a vigil.
Find your Vigil
Every May, cities across Italy and beyond join in prayer.
The 2025 list will be published soon and will expand in time. To signal a new vigil write to: progetti@gionata.org
From our blogs
Choosing the Word That Will Unite the Prayer Vigils 2026
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CEI press conference: dialogue, women and LGBT
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Prayer Vigils in Malta
Each year in May, communities across the world gather for the Ecumenical Prayer Vigils to Overcome Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. These vigils form a shared spiritual movement grounded in remembrance, prayer, and hope. They are not tied to one name or...