LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (June 10-12. lapride.org)
America’s west coast also knows how to throw a party. This year, LA Pride begins on June 10th with a community day at Pride in the Park located at the Los Angeles State Historic Park next to downtown LA. This free event allows everyone to enter and enjoy performances, vendors, and event spaces for specific communities, like those who are sober, and the kink community. As Pride gets a closer, a full lineup of performers will be announced. The following day, Pride in the Park transforms into a music festival, and is being headlined this year by Christina Aguilera. LA Pride says the park has enough space for up to 25,000 attendees, meaning that it could become the largest Pride concert in the country! Then, on the 12th, join in on the annual Pride Parade, which has been taking place yearly since 1970. LA Pride’s location is also switching to Hollywood this year to honor LA Pride’s original location 52 years ago. Be sure to check to LA Pride’s website for updates as well, as they will release the official dates for LGBTQ Night at Dodger Stadium, Pride at Universal Studios Hollywood, and more!
Toronto Pride
Photo: Shawn Goldberg
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND (June 17-18. zurichpridefestival.ch)
Zurich has been holding a Pride celebration since 1994. This year, the two- day festivities will begin with the annual outdoor Pride Festival. This full- day event combines speeches, testimonials, and rallying cries to enlighten and empower the LGBTQ community. Follwing that, the event transforms into a joyous celebration filled with musical performances and dance recitals to both uplift and empower the crowd. The next day, the Pride Parade will march its way through town, concluding at the beautiful Sechselautenplatz plaza, directly next to the gorgeous Lake Zurich. This year, Zurich’s Pride celebration will be dedicated to the struggles the trans community currently faces. According to Zurich Pride’s website, “Zurich Pride is committed to playing a leading role, addressing important issues and hopefully enabling all trans people to live a carefree life.” There will be trans-specific events during Zurich Pride to help nurture and empower the trans community, hopefully paving the way to a brighter future.
BERLIN, GERMANY (July 23. csd-berlin.de)
Berlin’s Pride celebration is named Christopher Street Day (CSD) in honor of the street where the Stonewall Inn is located in New York City. Berlin has one of the oldest queer communities in all of Europe and started opening LGBTQ spaces back in the 1920s. So, it should come as no surprise that the city hosts one of the largest Pride celebrations in Europe, attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees. This year, Berlin Pride will include tons of fun events and its motto will be “United in Love”. Events in the line-up include The Prom, a party for lesbians and those who identify as women who like women, tons of late-night after-parties, a street fair, and more. Plus, this year, CSD will include an anti-war demonstration to protest the atrocities of the war in Ukraine. Throughout the month of June, Berlin’s Schwules Museum (gay museum) will be hosting special exhibits, including the fascinating “We’re in This Together” which dives into the history of Berlin’s historic and famous queer cabaret, Chez Nous, which served as a home and a source of expression for many of Berlin’s drag and trans artists at the time. It’s a fascinating look into the past that will help add perspective to your pride celebration.
MADRID, SPAIN (July 1-10. madridorgullo.com)
Taking place in the city’s Chueca neighborhood, Madrid Pride is set to be a massive event. It begins with Chueca Pride, a neighborhood block party filled with food vendors and live music. Also taking place will be the city’s annual Mr. Gay Pride Spain competition, which sees Spanish hunks compete by showing off their various talents…and yes, just like most pageants, there is a swimsuit competition. One of the more interesting Pride events taking place in Madrid will be a whole lineup of intermural queer sporting events. Everyone is welcome to sign-up and play (at all skill levels) sports like badminton, basketball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. It’s a great way to not only meet new people, but also serves as a fun Pride activity for those who might not enjoy nightlife or who choose a sober lifestyle. This year, the Pride Parade will be going straight through downtown Madrid, and the following day Pride will conclude with the Closing Party, giving visitors and locals alike one last chance to hang out, say goodbye, and potentially meet new lifelong friends.
WASHINGTON DC (June 3-12. capitalpride.org)
Pride in Washington DC, commonly known as Capital Pride, is returning for their first full-scale event since the pandemic began. This year’s theme is ReUNITED. The theme will not only celebrate the community’s ability to finally reunite after COVID, but it’s also designed as a rallying call to reignite the community’s passion for advocacy. Capital Pride cites the rise in anti-LGBTQ legislation right here in America, as well as growing anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and policy around the globe as reasons why the community needs to come together and be stronger than ever. One of DC’s major events will be Pride Honors, an awards ceremony that celebrates LGBTQ advocates and allies within the DC area who are fighting for change and civil rights. The Pride Festival is another unique staple to Capital Pride. During the event, all the main festival attractions will be present, like live music and food and drink vendors, but there will also be over 300 booths for organizations that want to reach out to the LGBTQ community, including social groups, faith organizations, government agencies, local sports teams, and more. And of course, Pride in our nation’s capital wouldn’t be complete without the Pride March; the ultimate way to show your Pride, while also making a statement to our government and fellow citizens that the LGBTQ community is here and deserves equality and inclusion.
