June is Pride Month around the world and Saturday brings a Pride Parade in nearly every major city. Here in New Orleans, the French Quarter will be the epicenter of LGBT+ events, including a parade, and there are other Pride events throughout the city.
First, a history lesson: Known initially as “Gay Pride,” and now typically called just Pride to be more inclusive, Pride events in June celebrate the LGBT+ community, bring opportunities to build awareness of challenges specific to that community, and allow for some serious fun to be had by all. The fun started from pain though, and Pride commemorates what is often identified as the beginning of the LGBT+ rights movement, a police raid that resulted in a public uprising at The Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969.
The Stonewall Inn, located in Greenwich Village in New York City, was then and remains today, a gay bar that welcomes people across the spectrum of gender identities. In 1969, there were a series of police raids on the bar and on June 28 that year, the patrons of the bar fought back, igniting a broader movement that eventually coalesced with HIV/AIDS advocacy, partner rights, marriage rights, and general human equality rights. The movement continues, as does The Stonewall Inn’s incredible daily happy hour from 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (excluding Saturdays).
Here in New Orleans, Pride began with a “Gay In” picnic in City Park in February 1971. The first street parade was held in 1980 and throughout the years, annual festivities have been organized under various names. Now, New Orleans Pride encompasses diverse events over the course of June 8-10, and part of those events are called New Orleans Pride Festival, which says it is June 8-10, but also promotes events under its name on June 7. Crystal clear, right?
So let’s just call it Pride, stop binge watching the reboot of “Queer Eye” and hit the streets.
Dining Out For Life
Thursday, June 7 more than 50 area restaurants will participate in Dining Out For Life, a fundraiser that benefits NO/AIDS Task Force. Restaurants are donating 20-50 percent of their proceeds, and diners can make direct contributions as well by request a donation envelope from their server. The list of restaurants and their donation percentages can be found here.
Pride Weekend at The Phoenix
The Phoenix is the official home of Pride Fest and it launches its weekend of events on Thursday, June 7 with the Cellblock 13 Underwear Party from 8:00 p.m. to midnight. Where the party goes from there is up to fate.
Greetings, From Queer Mountain
The Allways Theatre will host Greetings, From Queer Mountain on Thursday, June 7at 7:30 p.m. It’s a monthly LGBTQ storytelling showcase that they promise is “full of fabulous.” Admission is $5.
Pride Glow
The official Pride kick-off party is Pride Glow presented by FLAME Magazine on Friday, June 8 from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at One Eyed Jacks. Performers include LE1F, Bouffant Bouffant, Delish Da Goddess and DJ Ryan Tiffin. Admission is $15-$35.
Pridefest
Pridefest is a daytime festival outside of The Phoenix at 941 Elysian Fields. The event is Saturday, June 9 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and it features musical performances and live entertainment by local movers, shakers, Kings, Queens, Drag Kings and Drag Queens. The music lineup includes Fagedelics, TBC Brass Band with Mardi Gras Indians, a Surprise Guest and Amanda Shaw as the headliner and celebrity Grand Marshal.
New Orleans Pride Parade
The Pridefest crowd will roll right into the parade crowd when the Pride Parade begins to make its way through the French Quarter at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 9.
Girl Crush Rouge
The Official Women’s Party of New Orleans Pride is Girl Crush Rouge. It will be Saturday, June 9 from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at Coyote Ugly. They encourage party-goers to wear red to show support for the community. Admission is $5.
All of the above events may charge admission, so click the links to see details before you go.
