The celebrations kick off even before June 1st. On Friday, May 30th, "Pride Around the City" will see the record-breaking 600-foot progress rainbow pride flag tour iconic Philly locations, starting at the Art Museum steps at 9:00 AM. That evening, options abound from the Sip City Queer Pride Kickoff at Tattooed Mom to the Roots Picnic Pride Soiree at Warehouse on Watts, and the Porkroll Pride Party at The Bike Stop. For a more reflective start, Philadelphia Voices of Pride presents "Considering Matthew Shepard," a Grammy-nominated oratorio, at the Church of the Holy Trinity on both May 30th and 31st.
The LUV Awards & Pride Promenade on Saturday, May 31st, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, offers a glamorous opening-night spectacular, benefiting a no-charge Youth & Young Adult Prom. That same day and night, attendees can choose from the Philadelphia Dyke March, the BOS Philly: Fantasea Island all-day circuit experience at ROAR Philly, Pride on the Water dance party at Liberty Point, drag and burlesque tributes like Haus of Lickher presents The L Word, and performances by Sapphira Cristál (RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16 runner-up) at Punch Line Philly.
Throughout June, the calendar is packed. Drag Queen Story Time events, curated by Philly’s Brittany Lynn, will take place at various libraries like Independence Library (June 9th) and PHS Pop-Up Garden Manayunk (June 27th), as well as in Pitman, NJ. The William Way LGBT Community Center hosts "Monday Pride Nights" with events like "Pock-A-Book Bingo" and a sneak peek of "The Kiyoshi Project" documentary. Workshops like the "BE LOUD: Trans/Nonbinary Creative Voice Workshop" at The Rotunda offer spaces for creative expression.
Other unique offerings include Mrs. Roper Bingo at Red Rum Theater, the "Panic! At The Drag Brunch" and "Queen Bee: Beyonce Drag Brunch" at Evil Genius Beer Company (which also hosts a Pride Block Party & Pride Rave on June 7th featuring their "#LoveisLove" charity brew), Gay Men Speed Dating at Infusion Lounge, and Drag Karaoke at the nonalcoholic Nutmeg Bar, which also hosts a Tea Dance and a Tony Awards viewing party.
Suburban communities are also hosting vibrant celebrations, including Doylestown Pride (Flag Raising June 1st, Festival Block Party June 21st), Lansdale Pride Walk (June 7th), PrideFest Chester County (June 7th in Phoenixville), Collingswood Pride (June 7th), Delco Pride Parade & Pride on State (June 7th in Media), Haddon Township Pride Parade and Community Night (June 5th & 6th), Pride at the Park in Lower Merion/Narberth (June 14th), the Pride at Peak Fashion Show in Audubon, NJ (June 14th), and the Bucks-Mont Pride Festival (June 29th in Jenkintown). Even Resorts Casino in Atlantic City gets in on the action with Drag Bingo.
This is just a glimpse of the hundreds of ways to celebrate. For a comprehensive guide and updates, visit phillygaypride.com and phillypride365.org.
