This time last year, many Pride Month events were canceled or quickly changed to virtual as most places were locked down. Now, a year later, there are more options for you to get out and have fun this Pride month. Some are in-person and adhering to COVID-10 protocols and some are virtual–and just as exciting!
Nervous about social distancing? Don’t worry! We’ve provided event recommendations that were designed specifically with socially distancing in mind. Check out some options to honor equality for all while still being safe! Happy Pride Month!
1. NYC Pride 2021: Virtual Rally
You can check out this event for free on Friday, June 25th at 6pm. The event will stream on both NYC Pride’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. This rally will honor the victims of the tragic shooting at Pulse Nightclub in 2016. The NYC Pride 2021 virtual rally will be hosted by Hope Giselle and Brandon Wolf who will discuss injustices and advocate for Black Trans Lives. Get educated, remember victims, and celebrate pride at this free COVID-friendly event.
2. Chicago Pride in the Park
Pride in the Park is a fun-filled two-day event in Chicago’s Grant Park. This live event offers music, food, and vendors all day on June 26th and June 27th. You can expect performers like Chaka Khan and Tracy Young as well as local talent. The festival runs from 2 pm to 10 pm on Saturday and from 3 pm to 10 pm on Sunday. Be ready to dance, eat, shop, and enjoy Pride Month in the midwest!
Pro tip: get your tickets from authorized sites only.
3. Pride Puerto Rico
Ready to celebrate Pride Month but still a little nervous to be in large crowds? Want an event with social distancing in mind? San Juan has got you covered with a car parade! On June 27th at 10 am, you can travel through the streets of San Juan for a $5 donation per car. Celebrate alongside other cars, dancers, and DJs! There are also events happening throughout San Juan at different beaches and bars.
This is the second year the parade will be COVID-friendly since it’s all outside. This is a great way to celebrate and have fun as either an LGBTQ ally or a member of the community.
4. Seattle Virtual Pride Weekend Event
Big Freeda, a New Orleans artist known as the Queen of Bounce Music, is the headliner for this weekend-long virtual celebration. Seattle Pride will run from June 26th to June 27th from 11 am until 5 pm on both days. With the theme of resilience, this free event will be filled with activism, speakers, performers, and kid-friendly events. Be sure to register for the event and prepare yourself for an enjoyable weekend!
5. Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival
The Stonewall Pride Parade is a one-day event in Wilton Manors, Florida. You can spend Saturday, June 19th, listening to music from live DJs, watching fabulous drag shows, and celebrating equality for all from 3 pm to 11 pm. At 7 pm, there will be a huge, exciting parade that is well-known among people who have attended this event in the past. This pride event commemorates the historic Stonewall riots which catapulted the pride movement. Come enjoy this in-person event about 40 minutes from Miami for a small $5 entry fee.
6. Pride Month: LGBTQ+ History Trivia Night
At this point, most of us are used to the Zoom world. So, why not pull up a chair, listen to great DJs, and participate in history trivia on June 24th? This virtual event is hosted by the Chicago Association of Realtors (CAR), and it will run from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
The first 30 minutes will start out with a live DJ and a Best Outfit Showcase. Then, from 5 pm to 6:30 pm, trivia will begin! For a $15 fee, if you’re not a CAR member, you can have a fun evening while supporting the LYTE Collective which is an organization that helps young adults who have been impacted by homelessness and poverty. And there will be prizes, too! Put on your best outfit, make your Zoom background festive, and brush up on your LGBTQ+ history for this enjoyable event!
7. Learn How To Take The Perfect Selfie with Ricky Martin
Learn how to take a selfie from Grammy award-winning singer, Ricky Martin! You can support the onePULSE Foundation’s OUTLOVE HATE campaign without even leaving your home, too. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it’s not!
This virtual celebration is another great way to support the LGBTQ+ community. While the event is free, you can make a $49 donation and have your self-portrait put on display at the National Pulse Memorial and Museum. On June 17th at 5:30 pm, prepare to learn your photo angles by receiving tips and tricks from Ricky Martin while also getting educated about the campaign that honors the victims of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy.
Be comfortable and celebrate!
Though the pandemic has changed things a bit, there are still great ways to celebrate Pride Month while staying true to yourself and respecting your comfort levels. Whether you attend a virtual celebration or you go to an event in person, there are tons of ways to enjoy Pride Month.
Check local papers and websites to search for more event options in your area. Be sure to check the COVID protocols for in-person events before booking your ticket and heading to the event as things are constantly changing. Happy Pride Month!
