The 2012 “Same Rainbow” Pride Parade in San Francisco. Photo © Torbakhopper, licensed Creative Commons Attribution
Commemorating the Stonewall riots, June is LGBT Pride month. Here are a few upcoming events in the United States.
Chicago Pride consists of two weekends of huge celebrations. To kick off the first day of the festival on Saturday, June 21, Oscar-winning actress, Grammy-winning singer, and Chicago native, Jennifer Hudson will be performing. The excitement of the festival continues with two days of drag shows, a pet parade, and more than thirteen performers. If you like to run (or walk), be check out the annual lakefront 5k and 10k races on Saturday, June 28. Hungry after the run? Fill your cravings at the food truck fest. After refueling, put on your best sports costume and get to Neverland, the Summer Olympics-themed costume party with international DJs Ivan Gomez and Alex Acosta. Finally, at 12pm on Sunday, June 29, you can’t miss the Pride parade through Boystown.
Gay Pride Parade NYC 2013. Photo © Bob Jagendorf, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
The city that is larger than life will be celebrating the theme “We Have Won When We’re One.” On Saturday, June 28, the Hudson Terrace (an exclusive, modern nightclub and upscale lounge with killer views) will hold the VIP Rooftop Party, one of the hottest events for men. If you’re feeling lucky, continue the night at the Hammerstein Ballroom for the extravagant Spain’s WE Party: Casino. The same night, Teaze will be the official Pride dance party for women. (It was formerly known as Rapture on the River.)
On Sunday, June 29, Laverne Cox will be one of the grand marshals of the annual civil rights demonstration. Demonstrators will march with over 50 colorful floats lighting up the concrete jungle along 5th Avenue to end at Greenwich Village. Browse around at the PrideFest street fair following the march for some delicious food and music. That evening, end Pride Week at Dance on the Pier with DJ Grind, DJ Pagano, and a performance from Demi Lovato. You won’t miss the rainbow sky during the grand finale fireworks.
Start the weekend off with the 27/82 fundraising concert on Friday, June 28, and enjoy performances by Hunter Valentine, Mary Lambert, and Connor Zwetsch. On Saturday, June 29, there will be food, drinks, and music at St. Pete’s largest block party as a warm-up for the parade. When the sun starts setting, the vibrant parade will take off. Finish off the weekend with the Pride Festival—you’ll get to meet new people as you explore the vendors along Central Avenue.
San Francisco knows how to celebrate like no other. Get ready to “Color Our World with Pride” at the largest LGBT gathering in the nation on the weekend of June 28 and 29. With a main stage and 23 community-run stages, there will be tons of performances for all interests on Saturday, June 28. Witness floats and people wearing fancy costumes at the legendary parade along Market Street on Sunday, June 29.
Ready to party? The options are countless. She Said SF is hosting several lesbian events on Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28. The biggest Pride party in the city’s history is the WE Party: Prison of Love at the Armory on Saturday as well. On Sunday, you can catch Quentin Harris at Poolside Pride Party at The Phoenix Hotel.
Unlike all other cities, Atlanta Pride Festival is in the fall during National Coming Out Day weekend. If you like cocktails, don’t miss an amazing cocktail party held in the world’s largest aquarium for the Official Atlanta Pride Kick Off Party on Friday, October 10. The festival itself takes place over the weekend in Piedmont Park, culminating in a parade on Sunday, October 12. (See the Atlanta Pride website for further details.)
