Pride season is upon us.
With June the start of Pride Month, the LGBTQIA+ community and allies are getting ready for some long overdue celebrations as most festivities were canceled or went completely virtual in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than just a reason to party and dance to Lady Gaga remixes (not that there’s anything wrong with that), Pride Month commemorates the uprising at New York City’s Stonewall Inn in June 1969, and the birth of the modern gay rights movement. In addition, Pride gatherings allow members of the community to connect and celebrate the basic freedom of being allowed to be their authentic selves.
While this year those things feel even more needed after more than 15 months into the pandemic, cities are finding new ways to adhere to safety protocols with a mix of in-person and virtual events.
Many locations like San Diego, Las Vegas, and Miami typically hold their Pride celebrations in months other than June, while others like Chicago and Detroit have postponed their events until the fall.
Check out how cities from New York to Los Angeles, and across the country, are celebrating Pride Month 2021 in June.
New York City
After celebrating World Pride in 2019, New York City will return to an in-person parade after holding a virtual celebration in 2020.
The NYC Pride March takes place Sunday, June 27th with a location still to be determined. Organizers plan to feature live performances and interviews and have tapped “Star Trek: Discovery” star Wilson Cruz and activist Ceyenne Doroshow among the list of parade Grand Marshals. Following the commencement of the parade, it will be able to be viewed online.
Other events include the PrideFest street fair in Greenwich VIllage, a virtual Youth Pride gala for teens, a human rights conference, family movie night, and an immersive virtual culinary experience benefitting God’s Love We Deliver. For a full list of events go to NYCPride.org.
Philadelphia
The City of Brotherly Love has moved their annual LGBT Pride Day Parade and Festival until Labor Day Weekend in September. But to give the community a chance to celebrate in June, Philly AIDS Thrift, a nonprofit shop that raises proceeds for organizations fighting HIV and AIDS, is collaborating with Philadelphia Film Society on a drive-in movie experience.
On Wednesday, June 2, the John Waters cult classic "Female Trouble" will screen at the Navy Yard.
Dallas
Dallas has two in-person events scheduled to take place on Friday and Saturday, June 4 and 5.
Both will occur in the Band Shell at Fair Park, with Friday’s focus on musical entertainment and Saturday dedicated to drag and comedy performances. Both events will be able to viewed virtually for those who feel safer celebrating at home. Tickets can be purchased in advance at DallasPride.org.
Minneapolis/St. Paul
The Twin Cities will host a series of events beginning with Pride Grand Marshal MASKqueerade Party on Thursday, June 17th at two separate locations.
Parents and kids can join in on the fun during Pride Family Fun Day on Sunday, June 20th at Como Park East Pavilion, while sports fans can celebrate at Pride Night celebrations at the MN United game on June 23 and at the WNBA’s MN Lynx game on June 25th. A full rundown of events can be found at TCPride.org.
San Francisco
While San Francisco canceled their traditional parade down Market Street in the Castro district, Bay Area residents will be able to celebrate with three socially distant outdoor events.
Two films will be screened at Oracle Park over the weekend of June 11th and 12th. On Friday, moviegoers can enjoy the film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony-winning musical “In the Heights.” On Saturday, “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” will be the center of attention. Another screening (film title TBD) is set to take place on June 18th at the African American Art & Culture Complex in honor of Juneteenth. Tickets and information for all events can be found at SFPride.org.
Los Angeles
The City of Angels has also canceled their traditional massive parade through West Hollywood and will instead host a free streaming concert on TikTok, entitled “Thrive With Pride Celebration,” on June 10 with Charlie XCX.
In addition, two outdoor in-person events have been scheduled. On June 11th, the LA Dodgers will host its annual Pride Night, while on June 26th, fans will gather under the stars to catch a film screening (title TBD) at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Full details and ticketing can be found by heading to LAPride.org.
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