Chicago Gay Pride Parade photo by C. Robertson flickr.com
Break out the white shoes and rainbow flags. This weekend isn't just the unofficial start of summer; it's also the official start of Pride season.
Marriage equality is a reality in all 50 states, big corporations are lining up to follow Target's transgender-inclusive bathroom policy and RuPaul's Drag Race is celebrating fabulous diversity in entertainment. Yes, the LGBT community has plenty of reasons to be proud.
But with a wave of anti-gay legislation parading around as "bathroom bills" and "religious freedom bills," we also know this: There is a lot more to do, and we need to show up and proudly proclaim our rights and our life.
Start researching your Pride getaway here. Then pack your bags, let your flag fly high and let everyone know: We're here! We're queer! And we won't give up until our whole community has equal rights!
New Orleans Gay Pride Parade photo by Paul Broussard
Pride Highlights:
Brooklyn Pride - June 5-11, 2016
As it does most things, the borough puts its own distinct spin on Pride. The more laid-back, neighborly vibe is a pleasant departure from the norm.
New Orleans Pride Festival - June 17-19, 2016
"Laissez les bons temps rouler" is not just a saying in New Orleans, it's almost a command. Let the good times roll at NOLA Pride and you'll lose your cares, your sobriety, and everything else holding you back from letting go and just enjoying life.
St. Pete Pride (St. Petersburg, Florida) - June 24-26, 2016
Relaxed and welcoming, St. Pete Pride is part-vacation, part-celebration, all amazing. Florida's largest Pride celebration packs a lot of pride into just one weekend. With its quirky neighborhoods, picture-perfect beaches, and a come-as-you-are attitude it's no wonder why 150,000+ people head to this gulf coast town.
Capital Pride Parade photo by JoeSwickFoto
Pride All Over:
Buffalo Pride Festival - May 31-June 5, 2016
Capital Pride (Washington, DC) - June 1-12, 2016
Boston Pride Week - June 3-12, 2016
Gay Pride Kansas City - June 3-5,2016
Pittsburgh Pride - June 3-12, 2016
Utah Pride Festival (Salt Lake City) - June 3-5, 2016
Central Alabama Pride (Birmingham) - June 4-12, 2016
Circle City IN Pride (Indianapolis) - June 4-11, 2016
California's Capital Pride (Sacramento) - June 4, 2016
Jersey Pride Celebration (Asbury Park) - June 5, 2016
Key West Pride - June 8-12, 2016
Albuquerque Pride - June 9-12, 2016
Capital City Pride (Des Moines, Iowa) - June 10-12, 2016
LA Pride (West Hollywood) - June 10-12, 2016
PrideFest Milwaukee - June 10-12, 2016
Capital Pride Rally & Revel (Albany, New York) - June 11, 2016
Baton Rouge Pride - June 11, 2016
Motor City Pride (Detroit, Michigan) - June 11-12, 2016
Long Island Pride - June 11, 2016
Spokane Pride Parade & Rainbow Festival - June 11, 2016
Philadelphia Pride - June 12, 2016
Columbus Pride Festival - June 17-19, 2016
Kentuckiana Pride Festival (Louisville, Kentucky) - June 17-18, 2016
Heartland Pride (Omaha, Nebraska) - June 17-25, 2016
Alaska PrideFest (Anchorage) - June 18-25, 2016
Boise Pride Festival - June 18, 2016
Denver PrideFest - June 18-19, 2016
Knoxville PrideFest - June 18, 2016
Pride Northwest (Portland, Oregon) - June 18-19, 2016
Rhode Island Pride (Providence) - June 18, 2016
Wilton Manors Stonewall - June 18, 2016
Pride Houston - June 19-26, 2016
NYC Pride - June 21-26, 2016
Nashville Pride - June 24-25, 2016
OKC Pride (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) - June 24-26, 2016
Pride St. Louis - June 24-26, 2016
Central Oregon Pride (Bend) - June 25, 2016
Cincinnati Pride - June 25, 2016
Harlem Pride - June 25, 2016
San Francisco Pride - June 25-26, 2016
Santa Fe Pride - June 25, 2016
Twin Cities Pride - June 25-26, 2016
Pride Chicago Parade - June 26, 2016
Seattle Pride Parade - June 26, 2016
Las Vegas Gay Pride Parade photo by Steve Spatafore/Las Vegas News Bureau
Post-June Pride:
You can wave your flags all year long thanks to events sprinkled throughout the calendar. Here are some notable Pride events after June:
Pride San Antonio - July 2, 2016
Tacoma Pride - July 8-9, 2016
Colorado Springs PrideFest - July 9-10, 2016
Pride Alive (Green Bay, WI) - July 9, 2016
Rochester Pride - July 10-17, 2016
San Diego Pride - July 15-17, 2016
Baltimore Pride - July 19-24, 2016
Charleston Pride - August 6-14,2016
Delaware Pride (Dover) - August 6, 2016
Cleveland Pride - August 13, 2016
Charlotte Pride - August 20-21, 2016
Austin Pride - August 27, 2016
Silicon Valley Pride (San Jose, CA)- August 27-28, 2016
Boulder Pride - September 11, 2016
Pride Vermont (Burlington) - September 11, 2016
Oakland Pride - September 11, 2016
Dallas Pride Parade & Festival - September 18, 2016
Mid-South Pride (Memphis, Tennessee) - September 24, 2016
Virginia Pride (Richmond) - September 24, 2016
Come Out With Pride (Orlando, FL) - October 8, 2016
Atlanta Pride - October 10-11, 2016
Las Vegas Pride - October 21-23, 2016
Savannah Pride - October 22, 2016
Greater Palm Springs Pride - November 1-6, 2016
To discover more about these gay-friendly cities and to plan and book your gay Pride getaway, visit fagabond.com.