Marching Together: What to Look Forward to During Pride 2016
April 15, 2016
It’s been nearly five decades since the birth of the gay pride movement in New York; today, we’re celebrating its anniversary all across the country (and beyond). And if you’re looking to participate in Pride 2016, there’s more good news: this year promises some show-stopping highlights. Like performances by Ke$ha and Angel Haze. Themes that celebrate inclusiveness and intersectionality. Even shows of solidarity from Prime Ministers. There’s never been a better time to be a part of this historical movement in equality (while also bringing the party).
PRIDE TORONTO, JUNE 1–JULY 3: Pride Toronto is already one of the biggest and brightest Prides around, and this year will be no exception. It all begins with its theme: "You Can Sit With Us," which celebrates radical inclusiveness in the movement (and marks the first-ever
Toronto Pride Month—that's right, you've got all of June to pull up a chair). And speaking of getting involved: 2016 will
also mark the first time that a sitting Canadian PM takes part in the Pride Parade, when Justin Trudeau accompanies marchers on June 3. O Canada!
Image courtesy of Scott Corman
PITTSBURGH PRIDE, JUNE 3–12: Just ask the organizers of
Pittsburgh Pride: any public celebration needs a good soundtrack. Under this year's theme of "Together We Are Stronger,"
Pittsburgh's Pride in the Street will invite gay rights-champion Ke$ha to headline, alongside acclaimed agender rapper Angel Haze. And mark your calendars: just prior to Pride's official start date, organizers will also host a "Big Gay Picnic" on May 29.
Image courtesy of Becky Sullivan/Flickr
BOSTON PRIDE, JUNE 3–12: 2016 really is shaping up to be the year of community-fostering. Evidence?
Boston Pride's theme this year, "Solidarity Through Pride." In addition to its annual Parade (where Zipcar has
marched driven in the past), held this year on June 11,
Boston Pride will host a number of talks and events that focus on marginalized voices. Because we're all in this together.
Image courtesy of Marilyn Humphries
LA PRIDE, JUNE 10–12: Props to the City of Angels: LA Pride was first held back in 1970—just one year after the Stonewall Riots—and was the very first Pride on the West Coast. Soak up the history, the vibes, and the
SoCal sun during the events—and be sure to check out the accompanying
One City One Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival, which will encompass talks, readings, exhibitions and other events from May 22–June 30.
Image courtesy of LA Pride
PRIDE NW, JUNE 17–19: If you're in
Portland, how do you celebrate Pride 2016? With a
Gaylabration, of course. An annual dance party and charity fundraiser that takes pride in "celebrating the diversity of love and relationships," it keeps attendees dancing into the wee hours. But Gaylabration is only one part of the wider
Pride NW festivities, which will also include a glow run, parade, live music, and the Official Portland Trans Pride March. And this year, the Portland
Two-Spirit Society will open the festival and parade with a blessing and will march as honored guests, furthering the emphasis on intersectionality.
Image courtesy of Candace Brings Plenty
NYC PRIDE, JUNE 21–26: As bright, bold, and beautiful as the city itself,
NYC Pride will offer up something for pretty much everyone this year. For LGBTQ families, Family Movie Night on the 21st will be a summery, kid-friendly affair. For activists, the rally the next day marks Pride's history, dating all the way back to the Stonewall Riots. For party animals, there will be a burlesque masquerade party, a dance on the pier, and VIP nights out. And the parade? That's for everybody.
Image courtesy of Elizabeth Stilwell/Flickr
SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE, JUNE 25–26: Pride has always been a colorful celebration, as well as a chance to honor a long history of social justice activism. In that spirit, this year Black Lives Matter will be the Grand Marshals at
San Francisco Pride, further marking the movement's emphasis on intersectionality. Join the
SF parade as it goes down Market Street (and hit up the Kickoff Party, while you're at it).
Image courtesy of San Francisco Pride
PRIDE TORONTO, JUNE 1–JULY 3: Pride Toronto is already one of the biggest and brightest Prides around, and this year will be no exception. It all begins with its theme: "You Can Sit With Us," which celebrates radical inclusiveness in the movement (and marks the first-ever
Toronto Pride Month—that's right, you've got all of June to pull up a chair). And speaking of getting involved: 2016 will
also mark the first time that a sitting Canadian PM takes part in the Pride Parade, when Justin Trudeau accompanies marchers on June 3. O Canada!
Image courtesy of Scott Corman
PITTSBURGH PRIDE, JUNE 3–12: Just ask the organizers of
Pittsburgh Pride: any public celebration needs a good soundtrack. Under this year's theme of "Together We Are Stronger,"
Pittsburgh's Pride in the Street will invite gay rights-champion Ke$ha to headline, alongside acclaimed agender rapper Angel Haze. And mark your calendars: just prior to Pride's official start date, organizers will also host a "Big Gay Picnic" on May 29.
Image courtesy of Becky Sullivan/Flickr
BOSTON PRIDE, JUNE 3–12: 2016 really is shaping up to be the year of community-fostering. Evidence?
Boston Pride's theme this year, "Solidarity Through Pride." In addition to its annual Parade (where Zipcar has
marched driven in the past), held this year on June 11,
Boston Pride will host a number of talks and events that focus on marginalized voices. Because we're all in this together.
Image courtesy of Marilyn Humphries
LA PRIDE, JUNE 10–12: Props to the City of Angels: LA Pride was first held back in 1970—just one year after the Stonewall Riots—and was the very first Pride on the West Coast. Soak up the history, the vibes, and the
SoCal sun during the events—and be sure to check out the accompanying
One City One Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival, which will encompass talks, readings, exhibitions and other events from May 22–June 30.
Image courtesy of LA Pride
PRIDE NW, JUNE 17–19: If you're in
Portland, how do you celebrate Pride 2016? With a
Gaylabration, of course. An annual dance party and charity fundraiser that takes pride in "celebrating the diversity of love and relationships," it keeps attendees dancing into the wee hours. But Gaylabration is only one part of the wider
Pride NW festivities, which will also include a glow run, parade, live music, and the Official Portland Trans Pride March. And this year, the Portland
Two-Spirit Society will open the festival and parade with a blessing and will march as honored guests, furthering the emphasis on intersectionality.
Image courtesy of Candace Brings Plenty
NYC PRIDE, JUNE 21–26: As bright, bold, and beautiful as the city itself,
NYC Pride will offer up something for pretty much everyone this year. For LGBTQ families, Family Movie Night on the 21st will be a summery, kid-friendly affair. For activists, the rally the next day marks Pride's history, dating all the way back to the Stonewall Riots. For party animals, there will be a burlesque masquerade party, a dance on the pier, and VIP nights out. And the parade? That's for everybody.
Image courtesy of Elizabeth Stilwell/Flickr
SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE, JUNE 25–26: Pride has always been a colorful celebration, as well as a chance to honor a long history of social justice activism. In that spirit, this year Black Lives Matter will be the Grand Marshals at
San Francisco Pride, further marking the movement's emphasis on intersectionality. Join the
SF parade as it goes down Market Street (and hit up the Kickoff Party, while you're at it).
Image courtesy of San Francisco Pride
