June is LGBTQ Pride Month, and much like everything else this summer, it’s going to look different. The month is often jam-packed with celebrations around the world, where rainbow flags are waved, supporters line the streets for parades and dance parties take place just about everywhere.
Just as the global pandemic has put a stop to dozens of events scheduled for this year, Pride events are no exception, and many of them are being either postponed or cancelled in the DMV region. But in efforts to adapt to the current circumstances, many are also moving online to continue to honor the celebratory month.
Here’s how you can participate in local, national and global pride events in 2020.
Smithsonian’s Project Pride
With history taking place before our eyes, it’s important to document the strength, creativity and resilience of the LGBTQ community, and Smithsonian Pride Alliance is doing just that. In a virtual experience on Pride Month Eve, Sunday, May 31 at 8 p.m., a virtual YouTube concert and digital time capsule of pride during this moment in time will take place with participants from around the world. The event is hosted by NPR’s Ari Shapiro and will feature celebrities such as Alex the Astronaut, Cameron Esposito, the Indigo Girls and more. The event is free and open to the public, and to get the full lineup, RSVP to the virtual event.
Capital Pride #StillWe
The Capital Pride Alliance and the DC Center for the LGBT Community announced May 19, that events for Capital Pride, based in Washington, DC, will be reimagined, with several moving to virtual experiences and kicking off on Monday, June 1.
On Monday, June 1, #StillWe Pride will kick off the month with a video montage as a welcome to all, filled with local community organizers, businesses and sponsors, local leaders and influencers. Remember those dance parties mentioned above? Don’t worry, there’s a virtual one scheduled for Saturday, June 6, where DJ Tezrah, DJ Edward Daniels, international hoop artist Zbu Hoopism and vocalist Tiffany Lyn Royster will team up for a 90-minute celebration of all things pride.
A one-of-a-kind Capital Pridemobile and Rainbow Blast will take place on Saturday, June 13, where businesses, residents and neighborhoods will be encouraged to show their pride with as much fun and exciting decor as possible, as well as music from local DJs and performances from local drag queens and kings. The event will be livestreamed for all to enjoy from the safety and comfort of their own home. The following day, the first episode of a virtual series “Pride in the City” will be released as #StillWe Entertain, featuring the talents of local and national artists and performers.
In the weeks and months to follow, the Capital Pride Alliance and the DC Center for the LGBT Community have planned to evaluate the safety of hosting postponed events, continue monthly town hall meetings virtually, and will promote useful resources and local groups for the LGBT community. Stay tuned here for more events in the reimagined 2020 Pride experience.
NYC Pride 2020
Even with the steady decline in confirmed COVID-19 cases in New York City over the past few weeks, all of this year’s in-person pride events have been cancelled due to the global pandemic, with a handful moving online. You may not be able to celebrate in the streets of Manhattan, but here are a few ways to tune into pride events inspired by the city where the fight for LGBTQ rights came to be.
Starting Friday, June 19, GLAAD (a media organization founded by LGBTQ members that seeks to address tough issues and tackle them on a public platform) will host a virtual Pride 2020 Dragfest, a three-day digital pride festival—lasting through Sunday, June 21—to celebrate pride and raise money for local drag performers. The virtual performances are scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m. each night and will be livestreamed on NYC Pride’s and GLAAD’s Facebook pages.
Instead of your typical Monday-night meal, join the virtual Garden Party on Monday, June 22, for performances, stories, special guests and more, as well as everything you need to create a memorable event at home: curated food and cocktail menus, a suggested playlist and more.
On Friday, June 26, NYC Pride will take its annual tradition of hosting a passionate rally and candlelight vigil to the virtual world for the first time in history. In years past, supporters gathered in numerous locations around the city to honor the first NYC Pride Rally, which took place one month after the Stonewall Riots of 1969. Details are set to be announced soon for how this event will take place virtually.
For many more events being broadcast online, which you can tune into from wherever you may be, stay tuned to NYC Pride through the month of June.
Global Pride 2020
The pandemic may have put a pause on a global celebration to gather and celebrate pride, but it’s not going to stop the 24 hours of musical and artistic performances, speeches from activists and campaigners and addresses by public figures that will take place on Saturday, June 27.
Over 5,000 people have already responded to the global event on Facebook, where the organization is set to announce a lengthy list of speakers, performers and more over the next few weeks. Capital Pride and NYC Pride will both be celebrating with the Global Pride movement on June 27. Although specific details have not yet been announced about the day-long celebration, supporters can stay tuned here for weekly updates on the upcoming event.
As we look toward the summer, events and holidays are going to look different. Stay up to date with all of the local events and more by subscribing to our Things to Do newsletters.
