Brooklyn Pride is back for another week-long Pride celebration culminating with a blowout parade and festival on June 11, 2022. Brooklyn Pride started organizing in 1996, and last year they celebrated their 25th anniversary. Brooklyn was the third borough in Pride history to host their own Pride celebrations following Manhattan and Queens.
Brooklyn Pride is known for its twilight parade, held in the evening rather than during the day. Before the parade, attendees can spend the day enjoying performers on the Main Stage as well as tents that stretch for blocks. This year’s theme is “Be Loving. Be Brave. Be Proud.”
The festival and Main Stage will be located 5th Ave between Union & 9th Street. At the festival, guests will find the borough’s business, community, and city-wide organizations from 11:00 AM-5:00 PM. There will be non-stop entertainment from 12-6 pm on The Main Stage. Don’t miss dazzling acts such as the NY Gay Men’s Chorus, Cheer NY, local drag royalty, live musicians, and more! A Family Fun Zone will be located at Old Stone House / J.J. Byrne Park, 5th Ave. between 3rd & 4th Streets that features family activities, music, face painting, arts & crafts, story-time, and more.
This year’s parade is estimated to be the largest parade ever with over 68 entries. The parade route will be from 7:30-10:00 PM on 5th Ave from Lincoln Place to 9th Street. The Master of Ceremonies of the parade will once again be Ron B, trans activist, actor, and Tina Turner impersonator. This year’s Grand Marshals are Mark Caserta and the Rainbow Heights club, a support and advocacy program for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender consumers of mental health services.
The festival and parade are the main event, but there will be Pride-filled events throughout the week:
June 6
Brooklyn Pride Kick-Off
Brooklyn Borough Hall, 5:45-8:00 PM
Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Pride and AHF will honor some of Brooklyn’s prominent LGBTQIA+ community members. There will be a catered reception to follow.
June 7
Virtual Drag Bingo
Online, 7:00-8:30 PM
Enjoy the fun and frills of drag bingo from the comfort of your home! This event will be hosted by professional Bingo queen and icon Linda Simpson. Log onto the event here.
June 8
Brooklyn Pride Comedy Night
Branded Saloon, 7:00-9:00 PM
Brooklyn Pride Comedy Night has local LGBTQ+ comedians bringing you laughs all night long. Hard to believe this event is free! It will be hosted by Lois Thompson and headlined by Pat Brown. The line-up also includes Calvin Cato, Dana Friedman, Jay Jurden and Nica Russell.
June 9
Cyclones Pride Night
6:40-9:00pm, Maimonides Park
Come enjoy America’s Pastime at the Brooklyn Cyclones’ Pride night. The first 2,000 fans will receive a Pride jersey! There will be performances by the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus & NY Pacemakers Dance Team that you won’t want to miss. Learn more here.
Pride City Photo Exhibition and Reception
6:00-8:00 pm, Brooklyn Community Pride Center Crown Heights
Photographer and filmmaker Bob Van Degna will be exhibiting images from the 2013, 2016 and 2019 parades, as well as the day of the Obergefell v Hodges ruling legalizing gay marriage on June 26, 2015. Register for the event here.
June 10
Family Movie Night: Sing
6:30-9:00pm, Old Stone House
Bring a blanket and some friends to celebrate the Annual Family Movie Night on the turf at Old Stone House. The feature presentation, Sing, boasts a star-studded cast including the vocal talents of Reese Witherspoon, Tori Kelly, Jennifer Hudson, Leslie Jones, Nick Offerman, Matthew McCounaghey, and more!
June 11
Brooklyn Pride LGBTQIA+ 5K Run/Walk
10:00 AM-12:00pm, Prospect Park
Start your day of Pride festivities with a runner’s high! Proceeds from the race will be donated to local organizations that aim to make the LGBTQ+ community a safer and healthier place. If running is not your thing, you can cheer on the racers or donate to the cause.
June 12
Youth Pride
12:00-5:00pm, Littlefield
For the first time ever, Brooklyn Pride is hosting an event specifically for LGBTQ+ community members between the ages of 13-20. There will be carnival events, a Mini-Ball tournament, and local performers. To attend, play in the Mini-ball tournament, or perform at the event, click here.
June 14
Read With Pride @ the Library
4:00-4:30pm, Washington Irving Library
The librarians at Washington Irving Library have put together Read with Pride kits to use at the library or to take home. Coloring will be provided afterwards if you’re in the mood to mingle. This event is part of the grab and go kit series and is best for ages 10-18. Learn more about the event here.
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