Kick off Pride in the outer boroughs starting June 5 in Jackson Heights with Queens Pride 2011. The parade begins at noon and features a reviewing stand on its route from which the hosts will announce groups and the judges will cast their votes on parade participants to win the “Queenie Awards.” The parade starts at 85th St and 37th Ave and follows 37th Ave ending at 75th St. Don’t forget to kick back at the multicultural festival on 37th Rd and 73rd St, and watch special (TBA) performers rock the Main Stage! Check out queenspride.com for the full scoop.
Also on June 5, the Staten Island LGBT Center is sponsoring the 6th annual Staten Island Pride Parade & Festival. The parade, led by this year’s grand marshals Robin Garber and Dr. Kathleen (Katie) Cumiskey, starts at noon on Central Ave between Slosson Terrace and Hyatt St and follows the streets of St. George, culminating in a festival in Tompkinsville Park. Food, music, entertainment, community resources, information and vendor booths will be on site. Go to silgbtcenter.org for more.
Brooklyn jump-starts its Pride Week on June 6, and the fun doesn’t stop ‘til June 11 with the annual parade and festival. This year’s Pride theme is “The Many Faces of Pride”—very fitting considering the hefty lineup of events Brooklyn Pride has planned for the week, including a Pride Reception, an Interfaith Service, assorted parties, and more. The week culminates with a multicultural festival on Prospect Park West featuring performances, a family zone, shopping and great food and the first-ever Night Pride Parade in the Northeast (at 7pm on 5th Ave). Entertainers include Calii, Lex Z and Christine Martucci. Visit brooklynpride.org for more details.
The Long Island Pride Parade marches down Main Street in Huntington Village at noon on June 12. In 2009 the parade drew an estimated 5,000 spectators, making it one of the largest parades outside of NYC in the state, so get there early to stake out your spot! Long Island Pride also features the 21st Annual Pride Rally, as well as the Festival in the Park—known as “the crown jewel” of the celebration with all-live entertainment, food courts, community information booths, vendors of all kinds and much more. Liprideparade.com will fill you in on more specifics.
June 5 in the gay beachfront mecca Asbury Park, party with the Jersey girls at the 20th Annual New Jersey GLBT Pride Celebration. This seaside event features a block party, festival and parade along with live music and comedy, food, arts and crafts, community information, exhibits, rides and more. Post-festival, be sure to sweat out all the food and cheap draft beer at one of the many nearby gay/lesbian bars and clubs.
It’s all about Jersey lately, so even though you probably won’t run into Snooki, we recommend also bridge-and-tunneling it to Newark-Essex Pride Week, a regionally-anticipated signature event. Produced in partnership with Greater Newark’s leading LGBT organizations, Newark-Essex Pride Week anticipates that over 5,000 people will participate in the seven-day itinerary of programs that provides an array of activities for Newark and Essex County’s LGBT community, with a Pride parade topping off the celebration on June 12. Visit newarkessexpride.org for the complete event schedule.
Join red-hot networking organization Wonder Women, their partners and sponsors on June 3 with their Pride Kick-Off Event at the Rubin Musem, organized as part of their mission to unify diverse groups. Admission to this festive and informative event is complimentary and open to all members, friends and allies. DJ Charo provides cool grooves in the K2 lounge of the beautiful Rubin Museum as you partake in happy hour, with 2-for-1 drink specials from 6–7pm. Enjoy any of two free tours about “Transgender in Himalayan Art”at 6 and 6:30pm (limited capacity), followed by a screening of Cabaret Cinema’s film Dogtooth.
NYC Pride kicks off June 18 with the Pride Rally, featuring Ross Matthews as emcee, Oh Land as the headliner, and an impressive gathering of additional performers and motivational speakers. Also on June 18, head to Fire Island with The Center for Women’s Pride in the Pines, an event which boasts dancing, wine, vodka, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and more. June 20 at Garden Party 28, The Center and host Wendy Williams offer a real taste of pride by featuring 50 of New York’s most renowned restaurants and culinary destinations at the largest LGBT food festival in the country! Join your lesbian sisters at the 19th Annual Dyke March on June 25, followed by the iconic pier-side women’s event Rapture on the River, to help you unwind. Then on Sunday, June 26, shift into high gear on official NYC Pride Day with the 2011 Pride March down 5th Ave. The March Committee is planning an exciting event with colorful floats, music, and community groups, with grand marshals Dan Savage, Terry Miller and the Rev. Pat Bumgardner. Close out your day downtown with PrideFest, the annual LGBT street fair, or with the Dance on the Pier, featuring headlining DJ Ana Paula.
What Do You Think?