Pride 2008
There are dozens of gay pride parades and festivals going on all over the United States this summer, plus many overseas and at least two in Canada. Pageants, parties, parades and an air of tolerance and acceptance will rule many city streets for weekends if not a whole week throughout June and July. Read on to find out which festivals are coming to a city near you!
The city of Memphis, Tennessee hosts its Mid-South Pride 2008 festivities starting on June 3 and ending on the 15. The Pre-Pride event on Sunday June 1 will showcase many female impersonators all vying to win Miss Mid-South Pride. The official kickoff event will feature the fabulous Leslie Jordan in a stage adaptation of his book My Trip Down the Pink Carpet at the Michael D. Rose Theatre at the University of Memphis. Other events throughout the week include the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center 's CookOUT, the Just Us Magazine Launch Party, PRIDE Party at the Crossroads Bar, a community forum, movie screenings, and a one person comedic performance entitled "The Re-Education of George W. Bush-No President Left Behind!" Also, check out "An Evening With Nancy D. Polikoff", author of Beyond (Straight & Gay) Marriage,Valuing All Families Under The Law. The presentation, reception and book signing are all free!
Of course there is also the Mid-South Pride's 2008 parade and festival itself. This year's theme is "Many Cultures, One Community" and will feature singers Ari Gold and Rachel Panay, the newly-crowned Miss Gay Heart of America 2008 as well as food vendors, information booths and an awards presentation. The closing party will also feature Ari Gold. www.midsouthpride.org
Capital Pride storms Washington, D.C. beginning June 6. The Pride parade is Saturday June 14 and the Pride festival is Sunday June 15. With a theme of "History. Vision. Legacy." there are many educational, civic, and social events including the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington Presents "America , The Fabulous!" The Chorus and last year's pageant winner, Miss Route 66, "take a musical road trip across America." Flags, batons, and a "Red State/Blue State patriotic medley" honor this election year. Other events include the Capital Pride Annual Town Hall Meeting, the Mr. and Miss Capital Pride Pageant, an Interfaith service, Annual Capital Pride Bachelor and Bachelorette auctions, parties, and the parade and festival. www.capitalpride.org
Boston, Massachusetts Pride 2008 goes from June 6 through the 15 and includes a week of cool book signings with Scott Pomfret, author of Since My Last Confession, Terrance Dean, author of Hiding in Hip Hop, Johnny Diaz, Boston Boys Club, and the ubiquitous Leslie Jordan who will be signing copies of his book My Trip Down The Pink Carpet. Boston Pride has not one, but two block parties in store with the Stuart Street Block Party featuring DJs Tracy Young and DJ Ranny. Then there is the Jamaica Plain Block Party featuring DJ Kritin Korpos and a construction sight theme complete with dancers, body art, massages, and music. The Pride festival will feature over 100 vendors and community groups and a family area with face painting, carnival games and more. Notable sponsors include BMC/Center for HIV/AIDS Care Center, Senior Pride Coalition, New England Leather Alliance, and Jane and Jane Magazine. www.bostonpride.com
Baltimore, Maryland's Pride Festival, on June 21-22 has a theme of "Live. Love. Be More!" and features headliners Jonny McGoern & Team Pimp and Brendan Velasquez. Other performers include Odd Girl Out, Eric Himan, Marlowe, K.C. Sullivan, and Shawnna. Many fun events are planned including a block party, a 5K run/walk and picnic with special prizes, and a date auction where you can bid on numerous performers, personalities, and community and business leaders. The annual Voice of Pride singing competition looks for the best undiscovered talent in Baltimore. The winner is named "The Voice of Pride" and will perform at Baltimore Pride's annual block party.
Twilight on the Terrace at the Baltimore Museum of Art is an enchanted evening of music from DJ Alex Funk, cocktails, hord'oeuvres, art, and dancing. There's even a sculpture garden to wander around in! www.baltimorepride.org
IndyPride! in Indianapolis, Indiana is June 14-15 and features international recording artist Kristine W. www.indyprideinc.com Philly Pride in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania begins with a free event June 7 at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, "Chumley & Carlota's Sing Along of the Wizard of Oz." There you can pre-purchase a wristlet (and avoid lines) for the following day's parade and festival. www.phillypride.org Syracuse, New York has its Central New York Pride Parade and Festival June 7 with a theme of "Free to Be: Celebrating the Diversity of the LBGT Community." The entertainment includes Nikki Fenmore & Friends, R.U.B., Sister Funk, Square Pegs, the Syracuse Gay & Lesbian Chorus and more. www.cnypride.org
Generally, Pride festivals and parades around the country feature health-related information booths and sponsors. For example, Philly Pride's sponsors include Action AIDS, MANNA-Metropolitan AIDS Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance and ASIAC-AIDS Services in Asian Communities. Remember to wear sunblock while parading and partying in the summer sun and be sure to bring condoms to any party or festival you attend if you're looking to get frisky!
There are many, many more Pride festivals and parades going on this summer; here is a short list of a few others:
Connecticut LGBT Pride Festival
www.connecticutpride.org June 7
Salt Lake City, Utah
Utah Pride, June 6-8
www.utahpride.org
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque Pride 2008, June 13-14
www.abqpride.org
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2008 Pride Week Edmonton, June 13-22
www.prideedmonton.org
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Pride, June 16-22
www.pittsburghpridespace.com
Have a great summer and enjoy the festivities!