Culture

a guide to pride, inside.

Published

Jun 05, 2020

Author

Eliza Dumais

From trans marches to virtual queer karaoke.

In its standard form, Pride month is no small affair. In fact, just the opposite. Famously, in celebration of LGBTQ+ communities across the country, the 30-day stretch is a glamorous, eclectic mash of eccentric parties, glittered rainbow attire, and important politicized events, discussions, and remembrances. It’s as festive as it is vastly impactful in its acknowledgment of our long-standing history fighting against widespread prejudice in order to exercise our personal freedoms as human beings.

As a recurring homage to the Stonewall uprising in June of 1969 in New York City, the month of June will forever stand as a symbol of our ongoing fight to push beyond bias in order to protect our right to love, however we see fit. And while large in-person gatherings, major parties, and historic rallies are made impossible by the dangers imposed by the Coronavirus, it’s still Pride — and we won’t let a little social distancing shut it down.

So, as you gear up for one hell of a Pride month, check out our guide to the greatest, virtual celebrations to attend this year...all from the comfort of your own home.

Anytime Events:

Check out a film at Outfest
This LGBTQ+ film database is always free, always available, and stocked with thematic, topical films to help you celebrate Pride to the best of your ability from your couch.

Educate Yourself
While this month is packed with well-deserved parties and celebrations, it’s also important to take a moment or two to honor the history of Pride. Consult local community resources, read about the world’s first ever Pride march, and pay homage to the long-standing tradition we’re still upholding today (ICYMI, one of our greatest Pride pioneers was Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trangender woman).

Support The Black LGBTQ+ Community
In the wake of national protests surrounding incidents of police brutality as we slowly veer closer to reopening our cities post-pandemic, it’s more important than ever that we show our support to Black communities, who are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 as a matter of systemic racism, and continually targeted by police without just cause. Take some time while celebrating your Pride month to make sure you’re giving space to the Black LGBTQ+ community specifically. Spend some time reading about allyship, Black history, and the Black experience. Reach out to your community members. Go out of your way to support Black-owned businesses.

Share your own personal Pride on social media
This year, The Trevor Project has developed a hashtag to help make Pride about more than a single rally. In the hopes of shining light on all the ongoing daily details of life for LGBTQ+ communities globally, the organization is urging folks to use the hashtag, #PrideEverywhere while they document their months on social media.

Calendered Events:

6/8: Veterans LGTQ Panel Discussion
Tap into this intimate livestream, where a series of veterans chat candidly about the hardships faced specifically by veterans in the LGBTQ community. The conversation will be moderated by Sue O’Connell.

6/11: Digital Drag Bingo
Need we say more? (FYI bingo is just as fun via video chat).

6/11-6/12: Queerantine Queeraoke
Hosted by Boston Pride, this Zoom queer karaoke night promises brief (remote) dance parties, karaoke tracks, trivia, and drinks on the house (the house being...your house).

6/11-6/29: Criminal Queerness Festival
This month-long festival hosted by artists’ incubator Dixon Place offers a stage to queer playrights from across the globe with near-nightly digital events and performances.

6/12: We’re Still Here: The All-Day Queer Celebration
Hosted by Eventbrite, this party will rage onwards (digitally) from 3pm to 3am (EST) featuring a line up of soon-to-be-announced special guests.

6/13: Pride Prom
This one is a can’t miss. Put on by Billboard, your hosts and special guests include the likes of Billy Porter, Lena Waithe, Cyndi Lauper, Patrick Starrr, and countless other A-list celebs. Expects: DJs, dancing, conversation, musical guests, and of course, capital-O Outfits.

6/19-6/21: Pride 2020 Drag Fest: A Weekend to Support Our Queens
What with Stonewall Inn closed due to COVID restrictions among so many other iconic venues, 100+ of your favorite drag queens have banded together to offer a weekend of glorious, over-the-top digital drag performances. Yes, we did mean 100.

6/20: LGBTQ Digital Pride and Migration 2020: Looking Backward and Moving Forward Together
In honor of World Refugee Day (June 20), this online event is intended as a way of celebrating and recognizing displaced people who identify as LGBTQ+, and all the ways Pride and Migration go hand in hand.

6/20: Virtual Pride 5K Art Run
If you’re looking to squeeze a little fitness into your Pride month, consider this casual, virtual 5K. Buy a ticket, showcase your neighborhood to other runners digitally, and rest assured knowing the proceeds from your admissions will go to LGBTQ health service provider, Callen-Lorde.

6/22: Garden Party
New York’s LGBTQ safespace, The Center, is hosting a glamorous, remote garden party to help get you in the spirit as Pride Weekend kicks off. Registration is free, and the link above will be updated throughout the month with details about special guests, a suggested food and drink menu for you to replicate at home, and of course, a flawlessly curated playlist.

6/25: Human Rights Conference
In the hopes of uniting the globe via livestream, NYC Pride is hosting a digital conference helmed by activists, artists, educators, journalists, policymakers, students, and others engaged in LGBTQIA+ human rights.

6/25-6/28: Frameline44 Pride Film Showcase
Frameline44, an SF-based media art non-profit, hosts an annual queer film festival, with the aim to change the world by way of queer cinema, one film at a time. This year will be no different.

6/26: Trans March
Just as the title suggests, this virtual march is about celebrating all trans and gender non-conforming people and working towards a world where they feel safe, loved, and empowered.

6/26: The Rally
We know Pride weekend itself isn’t quite the same from home, but NYC has continued the Pride rally tradition since 1969 — and this year is certainly not an exception. Tune in wherever you are for the virtual rally experience, co-hosted by the famed Stonewall Inn.