Join the New York Anti-Violence Project (AVP) on June 22 at the Stonewall Inn for Fusion, its annual Pride party honoring the LGBT community. Celebrate Pride and 30 years of AVP, which works to reduce violence within and against the LGBT community, with an open bar, snacks and music by DJ Randy Bettis.
NYC Pride kicks off June 18 with the Pride Rally. Actor/talk show host Ross Matthews and comedian Christine O’Leary serve as emcees, lo-fi electronic artist Oh Land headlines, and an impressive gathering of additional performers and motivational speakers will pump up the crowd for Pride Week. Head to Central Park’s SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield to jumpstart Pride with thousands of your LGBT BFFs.
What would summer on Fire Island be without community benefits and fabulous hors d’oeuvres? On June 18, the Center’s first-ever Women’s Pride in the Pines draws an in-crowd of the community’s movers and shakers to the idyllic seaside locale for dancing, drinks, a silent auction and, yes, delicious nibbles.
Can’t make it to the Pines? Support the LGBT Center’s cultural and social programs and stuff your face at the same time at the Garden Party 28, hosted by Dancing with the Stars alum/talk show queen Wendy Williams. Taking over Hudson River Park’s Pier 54 on June 20, the largest LGBT food festival in the country features 50 award-winning NYC restaurants dishing out delectable bites and cocktails.
dot429 invites you to celebrate Pride at its Women’s Pride Gala with NewFest and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Join the community’s power players on June 24 at the three-story penthouse of The Hotel on Riving-ton for an evening of film, drinks and decadent desserts. Enjoy cocktails at the open Skyy bar, portraits by celebrity photographer Enrico Dunga, music by Farika and special guests including Rose Troche.
If watching a crowd of 15,000 lesbians march down Fifth Avenue is exciting, walking among them is even better! Make some noise with your sisters at the 19th Annual NYC Dyke March June 25, which travels from Bryant Park to Washington Square Park. Just don’t call it a parade: It protests the ongoing discrimination against lesbians. Bring signs, banners, noisemakers and all your dyke friends to show your support!
The dyke drama (the good kind) doesn’t end with the Dyke March. Love your lady-lovin’ sisters at Rapture on the River 8, the official women’s dance of NYC Pride. This year’s event—featuring DJs Susan Levine and Mary Mac on deck, fabulous comedians, the first-ever wet T-shirt contest and a happy hour from 3–4pm—begins three hours earlier for an unforgettable day-to-night party.
After years of practice, GLAAD celebrates the season and its 25th anniversary with Pride Perfected. June 25 at the Grace Hotel, guests will enjoy complimentary vodka cocktails, great music and the opportunity to network and meet like-minded professionals, allies and LGBT community leaders.
Live Out Loud’s third annual Pride in the Hamptons fundraiser takes place on June 25 in East Hampton at the snazzy waterfront home of Bruce T. Sloane. Sip cocktails, nosh on hors d’oeuvres and dance all evening to benefit Live Out Loud, which is dedicated to inspiring and empowering LGBT youth by connecting them with LGBT role models in their communities.
On Sunday, June 26, shift into high gear: It’s the official NYC Pride Day with the 2011 Pride March down Fifth Avenue. The march starts at 36th Street and culminates at Christopher Street. Expect colorful floats, pumpin’ music and thousands of marchers led by grand marshals Dan Savage, Terry Miller and the Rev. Pat Bumgardner. Stay downtown for PrideFest, the annual LGBT street fair on Hudson Street between Abingdon Square and West 14th Street. This year’s PrideFest, now in its 18th year, brings together local residents and families, community leaders, tourists and area business owners. Also on June 26, Dance on the Pier takes over Pier 54, featuring headlining DJ Ana Paula.
The Center presents Broadway Celebrates Pride —Songs of Hope on June 27 in a benefit for its programs and services. Cast members from Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Jersey Boys, and many more will sing songs of pride, life and hope. This concert is hosted by Carly Jibson with appearances by The A-List’s Reichen Lehmkuhl and Real Housewife of New York Sonja Tremont-Morgan.
Can’t get enough of Pride? Close out the season with the last of the outer boroughs’ Pride celebrations, Bronx Pride, on Saturday, July 9 in Crotona Park. The Bronx Community Pride Center has lined up a stellar list of performers and events. Keep your eye on bronxpride.org for more details.
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