In a world where LGBTQ+ people face increasing challenges in the fight for acceptance, Pride Month is a beacon of hope and defiance for the queer community. This year, event organizers are working extra hard to create inclusive spaces where everyone can feel seen, heard and celebrated.
From the lively streets of New Orleans to the bustling neighborhoods of New York City, we鈥檙e spotlighting how 91国产 organizers are bringing their unique experiences and vision to the festivities, and building a sense of community and belonging that resonates far beyond Pride Month.
Queer Garden
was working as a DJ when she noticed there were 鈥渟lim pickings for more lesbian-identified people鈥� on New York鈥檚 LGBTQ+ scene. So in 2012, she set up her own weeknight parties for queer women鈥攁nd the turnouts proved she was on to something.
With her after-work bashes igniting a passion for event curation, Whitney is now the founder of her own events company, where she focuses on larger scale parties around big calendar moments, like Pride Month.
This year, she is bringing Queer Garden鈥攈er festival-style event for 1500 queer women, trans folk and friends鈥攂ack to Williamsburg at a 25,000-square-foot lot on June 30.
鈥淭here鈥檚 literally something for everyone,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hether you want to party, just hang out鈥攜ou can even bring your dog, as we’re doing a little pup parade this time.鈥�
Whitney explains things have changed on the queer scene as Gen Z are 鈥渄oing things differently in terms of how they want to party and build a community,鈥� hence why she offers something more multi-faceted.
But for Whitney and her crowds, having a safe, inclusive space is as important as ever, as now 鈥渟ome people don’t necessarily see why we need [them]鈥�.
But these joy-filled events are just the tonic to the current global political landscape, she argues: 鈥淪howing unity and presence helps the whole world with acceptance.鈥�
Whitney has many regulars at her events鈥攎any of whom she鈥檚 seen grow up鈥攁nd says the thanks she receives from them 鈥渕eans so much鈥�.
鈥淲e always have the best time. People are just very grateful and appreciative. And, you know, I am just doing my job,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut at the same time, I can feel really good about it because I finally made that space I was always looking for as a younger queer person.鈥�
Walking with the Gay Ghosts of New Orleans
Having grown up in New York City, Marcus Shacknow once thought LGBTQ+ history was 鈥渃onfined to the island of Manhattan, with a bit of San Francisco sprinkled in for good measure鈥�. It was only when he moved south, he discovered there was lots of queer history that deserved celebration.
After months of 鈥渘erding out鈥�, Marcus decided to put what he鈥檇 learned into practise and share this knowledge, arranging his first official Gay Tour during New Orleans鈥� Southern Decadence Weekend of 2022.
Taking to the streets of NOLA, Marcus had one big aim: 鈥淚 wanted to give a tour that was SO GAY, it may scare the typical Bourbon Street bachelorette party.鈥�
鈥淚 donned my pink jockstrap and set forth retelling the history, folklore, gossip, scandal and sexscapades of gay people鈥檚 past,鈥� he recalls.
鈥淣ew Orleans has always been a place of fabulous filth, and I felt a gay tour of the French Quarter must match that reputation,鈥� adds Marcus, who also works as a script writer for plays and TV shows. As such, he curates his events in a three act structure to keep ticket holders engaged, and sees his tours as like 鈥減erforming an immersive theatre piece鈥� with the French Quarter as his stage.
鈥淨ueer people are fun, subversive, sexy鈥攁nd often downright silly! I think our history should be told as such,鈥� he says.
惭补谤肠耻蝉鈥� Walking with the Gay Ghosts of New Orleans tours take place on June 7, 8, and 9, and he says that previous events have offered the community 鈥渁 bit more ownership of our timeline鈥�, given that LGBTQ+ stories are often left out of the history books.
鈥淨ueer history is preserved through our interpersonal relationships and dialogues, and the tour is incredibly affected by those who attend each night,鈥� Marcus explains. 鈥淧eople love to contribute their own ideas and their own histories. Each tour is different in that way. Which is incredibly rewarding as the guide.鈥�
Oakland Gay Men鈥檚 Chorus
As a non-profit organisation made up largely by volunteers, event curation responsibilities are proudly shared by many members of the Oakland Gay Men鈥檚 Chorus. But they are all approaching their Pride celebration with the same mission statement in mind鈥�”giving voice through song to a community where everyone matters.”
On June 22 and 23, they are hosting You Can鈥檛 Stop the Beat: A Pride Cabaret鈥攁n event which will 鈥渟howcase our artistry, our love, and our commitment to fighting for inclusion and acceptance,鈥� says Board Vice President Shawn Simon. There will be solo cabaret performances, original compositions, powerful arrangements, dancing and iconic songs like 鈥榊ou Can’t Stop the Beat鈥� from 鈥楬airspray鈥� that 鈥減romise to fill hearts with love and acceptance鈥�.
The cabaret will also celebrate 25 years since the chorus was established. Open to people of all sexualities and gender identities, Simon says the chorus has created a space where more people feel comfortable, which has in turn drawn more people into their shows.
Of the power Pride events like their own give the community, Board Secretary Seth Frost adds: 鈥淲e who can stand up and sing, loudly and proudly, can be a comfort and a beacon to anyone who isn’t able to authentically express themselves.
鈥淢any of our concerts end with the chorus spreading out around the audience during our final song, trying to give just a little more of that feeling of being in community鈥攐f being welcome and safe, no matter who you are or what brought you here.鈥�
