Pride Around The States
If you’ve got some extra travel-money to burn and want to keep the party going after Denver Pride, forget beach resorts and think festivals in the US. The trick for travellers is acting fast as rooms are filling up quickly! Here are some of this summer’s best.
Mike Hastings & Mikey Rox
New York
Destination: New York Pride
When: June 26–June 28
Of course, the LGBT revolution all started here at Manhattan’s Stonewall Inn in 1969. The Big Apple’s pride celebration is like no other. The week-long festivities kick off Tuesday, June 23, with Family Night, but June 28 is the main event with one of the world’s largest LGBT pride marches. The main post-march events are PrideFest, a huge street fair held on Hudson Street, and the famous Dance on the Pier, which typically draws surprise superstars. This year, Ariana Grande takes the main stage.
Augusta
Destination: Augusta, Georgia Pride
When: June 26–June 28
With the motto “Live Out Proud,” you can be sure that Augusta Pride will be full of its signature Southern charm. The weekend’s pride events get a jumpstart by Beats on Broad, the city’s largest outdoor dance party, which will take place on the Augusta Common. On Saturday, enjoy the annual pride parade procession followed by the pride festival, featuring performances by Maxine Nightingale, David Hernandez, Bebe Zahara Benet, and Victoria Porkchop. Of course, you won’t want to miss the wettest event of them all — the Ain’t Misbehavin’ Pool Party — a co-ed shindig that turns up the heat as you cool off. AugustaPride.com
Hampton Roads
Destination: Hampton Roads, Virginia Pride
When: June 26–June 28
One of the more unique events that sets Hampton Roads Pride apart from other small-city parties is its Pridefest Boat Parade on the Norfolk Waterfront where local boaters can show their LGBT support by sea with a parade pennant on their vessel. Seamen from all across the area join the procession for a wet-and-wild weekend of making waves and promoting equality. If you’re more of a landlubber, keep your feet dry at the 4th Annual Pride Block Party and Pridefest 2015, featuring a performance by En Vogue. HamptonRoadsPride.org
San Francisco
Destination: San Francisco Pride
When: June 26–28
Does anyone need an excuse to travel to The Golden Gate City? The original gayborhood lives on the wild side and is a haven for overstimulation, but it’s also an interesting cultural study and a lot of fun. If you’ve never visited the city, there’s no time like the present to pack your bags and head to where the hippies, hipsters, vagrants, flagrants, artsy, fartsy, and more call home. DJ Joe Gauthreaux, who will be there for San Francisco Pride, gives us some facetime.
Why is San Francisco the perfect place to celebrate pride?
The gay community in San Francisco is big and diverse, so when everyone comes together, it’s such a unifying experience.
What should travelers pack to enjoy San Francisco Pride to its fullest?
Summer nights in San Francisco can get chilly, even cold! Bring a hoodie and you’ll be set!
Baltimore
Destination: Baltimore, Maryland Pride
When: July 25–July 26
Show Baltimore some love this summer (it sure could use it) by visiting Charm City’s annual Pride weekend — one of the oldest around at 40 years — which features myriad events, like a high-heel race through the Mount Vernon gayborhood; an all-day block party featuring performances by Martha Wash, Cazwell, and TS Madison; and one last after-party at Baltimore gay nightlife staple, Club Hippo, which will close its doors for good this fall. On Sunday, head to Druid Hill Park for a relaxing afternoon at an LGBT-positive festival with food, music, crafts, apparel, and more. BaltimorePride.org
Chicago
Destination: Neverland
When: Pride Weekend (June 27–28) | Market Days (August 7–9)
Chicago is changing! Four years ago, the city’s Pride consisted of a single, small event on a Saturday night. With the help of Neverland, the scene has expanded! This year’s Pride will be the largest in years, with three large dance parties and world-class DJs like Alex Acosta, Ivan Gomez, and DJ Alexander. Market Days will be even bigger, with a daytime street festival, and nighttime events including Neverland Savages with Isaac Escalante and Alain Jackinsky, and Alegria headlined by Abel. Anthony DiFiore, Creative Director of Neverland, takes some questions.
What does Neverland have in store for summer 2015?
Our parties always have high-concept, unique theme like our Ratchet Ball a year ago, or Walt Disney is Dead. For Pride, our theme is Bougie. Tell me: Who has ever thrown a Bougie Ball before? We’ll be making fun of the finer things as well as celebrating them. For Market Days, our theme is Savages.
What makes Neverland different from other parties?
Neverland is run by artists, not promoters. Our emphasis is on fantasy and production.
What should travelers pack to enjoy Neverland to its fullest?
A lot of people bring costumes that match the theme. You can get inspiration on what to bring and wear from the photos on our Facebook. Facebook.com/NeverlandParties
Charleston
Destination: Charleston, South Carolina Pride
When: July 25–August 1
It’s only fitting that a city famous for its beloved Rainbow Row (a well-known block of colorful, attached homes) has an equally fabulous eight-day LGBT blowout. Charleston Pride rolls into the Palmetto State with a roller derby bout to bring more awareness to equal rights, and throughout the week revelers can take in film screenings, comedy nights, and other festivities. The culmination of the extended celebration is a parade, rally, and after-party, the latter of which features out country crooner Steve Grand, Eryn Woods, DJ Trevor D, and other entertainers. CharlestonPride.com
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