Category Archives: Gay Pride
2 Day Pride Celebration in Chicago! June 26-27
PRIDE IN THE PARK ANNOUNCES LEGENDARY LINEUP THAT BRINGS TOGETHER THE QUEEN OF FUNK AND QUEER ICON, THE GREATEST DJ OF ALL TIME, AND THE PRODIGAL PRODUCER THAT IS SURE TO PRODUCE SICKENING SOUNDS AND ONE OF THE BEST PRIDE MUSIC FESTIVALS OF THE YEAR
Pride in the Park Chicago, presented by Truly Hard Seltzer, proudly announces the legendary lineup for this years’ Main event in Grant Park (downtown Chicago) on June 26 and 27, along with being one of the city’s first in-person festivals.
HEADLINING IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
- Chaka Khan, the legendary Queen of Funk, Queer Icon, and ten-time Grammy-winning artist.
- GRYFFIN, the self-taught prodigal producer, with a #1 on Spotify’s US and Global Viral charts and #2 on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist.
- Tiësto, a Grammy award-winning artist, dubbed “the world’s greatest DJ,” the Godfather of EDM, and commanding the title of “best DJ of the last 20 years.
FULL LINEUP
- Betty Who, the Australian-American singer and songwriter of “I Love You Always Forever,” peaked inside the top ten in Australia and reached the top of the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in the United States.
- Tracy Young, a Grammy award-winning producer, history-maker, and proud member of the LGBTQ community, she is the first woman ever to win a Grammy in the category of best-remixed recording.
- Alyssa Edwards, the iconic star from Emmy-winning television series “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” American entertainer, choreographer, and television personality.
- Derrick Carter, a Queer, Black Chicago-native, was named No. 53 in the 100 Most Famous Chicagoans, is regarded as one of the best underground house key players in the U.S. and Europe.
Among these show-stoppers, there will be other renowned and diverse artists such as CircuitMOM, Hector Fonseca, Tony Moran, Lady D, The Vixen Denali Foxx, Karsten Sollors, Tenderoni, Miss Toto, Mila Jam, Kinley Preston, Traci Ross, Naysha Lopez, It Jomama, Hinkypunk, Kara Mel D’Ville, Sheeza Woman, Avi Sic, Matt Suave, O’Laysia, Chamilla Foxx, Zoliy Miyake Mugler for Ballroom Pride & Guest Speakers.
Dusty Carpenter, Pride in the Park Chicago President and Lead Organizer, said, “To say we are excited is an understatement. We have legendary artists – with 12 Grammys combined – diverse Allies and Queer icons that are going to simply bring the house down. What better way to celebrate our Pride than with amazing music in a diverse and inclusive atmosphere? We continue to celebrate Pride to remind us of our achievements and to also remind us of our history, struggles, and work that is yet to be done.”
Proud Partnerships Uphold Our Commitment to Equality, Equity, and Big Entertainment
- We are proud to continue its official charity partnership with The Center on Halsted – donating a portion of ticket sales and providing in-kind tickets to ensure LGBTQ+, and underprivileged youth may participate, feel welcomed, and celebrate their pride openly.
- We are proud to continue another community activity on Pride weekend; the awards ceremony for Pride Bowl XIII will be held at the festival. Now in its 13th year, Pride Bowl is an LGBTQ+ flag football tournament played on Chicago’s lakefront as part of Pride weekend.
- A new Proud Partnership with Chicago’s very own CircuitMOM Productions – commanding their own onsite performances. Consistently bringing exceptional performances, outrageous outfits, drag kings and queens, world-famous DJs, and that signature electric house music that only CircuitMOM can deliver.
- A new Proud Partnership with Health Pass by CLEAR. Health Pass is a free mobile experience on the CLEAR app that securely connects a user’s verified identity to multiple layers of COVID-19-related health information to help reduce public health risk and get people back to what they love.
- We are proud to continue a partnership with Howard Brown Health and other Chicago testing providers to give attendees as many options as possible. If not fully vaccinated, we highly suggest you get tested Thursday or Friday prior to the event at one of the COVID PCR testing centers around the city.
VISIT WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR PROUD PARTNERS AND OUR FULL COVD-19 HEALTH SAFETY PLAN
WHAT: Pride in the Park Chicago LGBTQ+ live, outdoor festival
WHERE: Grant Park – BUTLER FIELD (Downtown Chicago) | 100 S Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL
WHEN: Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27 // TIMES: 2:00 PM-10:00 PM, 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
WorldPride 2019 New York City
NYC Pride is proud to unveil the location and initial talent line-up of the official Opening Ceremony of WorldPride. The Wednesday, June 26, 2019, 7-10pm Ceremony will be formatted as a benefit concert at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Proceeds from the ticket sales to this historic concert event will support Ali Forney Center, Immigration Equality, and SAGE – three leading organizations in the LGBTQIA+ movement based in New York City.
Prolific entertainer and internationally-recognized humanitarian, Whoopi Goldberg, will host the ceremony, featuring a growing medley of acclaimed speakers and performers. Cyndi Lauper, iconic performer for the LQBTQIA+ community and New Yorkers alike, leads the initial release of the talent line-up.
Cyndi Lauper is a groundbreaking Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning artist with global record sales in excess of 50 million. Her unmistakable voice, influential style, and infectious performances have catapulted her to stardom from her roots in Queens.
Chaka Khan, one of the world’s most gifted and celebrated musicians, will also perform at the WorldPride Opening Ceremony.
DAYA also joins the star-studded lineup for the WorldPride Opening Ceremony benefit concert.Ciara, a Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, producer, model and actress has sold more than 23 million records and 16 million singles worldwide, including chart-topping hits “Goodies,” “Ride,” “Oh,” “1, 2 Step,” “Body Party,” and “I Bet.”
Billy Porter is a Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor, singer, director, composer, and playwright from Pittsburgh, PA. He currently stars as ‘Pray Tell’, in in the FX series “Pose,” for which he has received both a Golden Globe and Critics Choice nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series. Todrick Hall is a multi-talented singer, rapper, actor, director, choreographer, and YouTube personality who rose to prominence on American Idol.
Tickets start at $45
The Ali Forney Center is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive agency dedicated to LGBTQ homeless youths—assisting nearly 1,800 young people per year through a 24-hour Drop-In Center, which provides over 65,000 meals annually, medical and mental health services through an on-site clinic, and a scattered-site housing program.
SAGE is the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older people. Founded in 1978, and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is an organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBT older people and their caregivers.
Immigration Equality is the nation’s leading LGBTQ immigrant rights organization, representing and advocating for people from around the world fleeing violence, abuse and persecution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status.
June 30, 2019 as NYC Pride welcomes all to a final celebration of pride from 7-10pm in NYC’s iconic Times Square.
The evening will provide a full slate of influential speakers and global musical talents who represent the cultural diversity, tenacity, and grace of the LGBTQIA+ community. One of the renowned artists slated to perform is Grammy-Award winning singer-songwriter, Melissa Etheridge.
Margaret Cho is set to host the occasion in Times Square.
Cho is a Grammy and Emmy Award nominated stand-up comedian, actress, and singer-songwriter. Through her hard work, Margaret has had the opportunity to be heard, to extend her point of view and become regarded as a true pioneer in her field.
Jake Shears and MNEK will also perform at the WorldPride Closing Ceremony.
THE PROM is the joyous Broadway hit that New York Magazine calls “smart and big-hearted” and The New York Times declares a Critic’s Pick! It’s a new musical comedy about big Broadway stars, a small town, and a love that unites them all.
Deborah Cox will perform in Times Square at the WorldPride Closing Ceremony on June 30th!
Deborah Cox possesses one of the most powerful and versatile contemporary voices of our time. The Canadian born star has an impressive list of #1 Billboard hit records, including twelve #1 songs on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart.
Additional talent will be announced in the weeks ahead.
FREE tickets and Paid tickets HERE
**To remain in compliance with the City there will be an extensive bag check and no provided restrooms. Please plan accordingly. **
Prohibited Items:
Weapons of ANY kind, Fireworks/explosives, Illegal Substances, Large or hard-sided coolers, Picnic Baskets, Pets, Glass containers of any kind, Alcohol (alcohol will be sold at the Festival), Instruments, Large backpacks, Laser pointers, Professional still camera equipment (no detachable lenses, no tripods, big zooms, or commercial use rigs), Audio/video recording equipment, Drones, No illegal vending is permitted. No unauthorized/unlicensed vendors allowed, nor Hoverboards.
Permitted Items:
Sunscreen, Hats, Sunglasses, Earplugs, Hilarious GIFs to send in response to your friends’ texts, Non-professional film, and digital cameras, Factory sealed bottles of water (non-glass containers), Phone charging case or phone charger, or Small backpacks or bags
Euro Pride 2016 Deals and Packages
EuroPride 2016
Europride is a pan-European international event dedicated to LGBT pride, hosted by a different European city each year. The host city is usually one with an established gay pride event or a significant LGBT community.
For up to a fortnight, numerous sporting and artistic events are staged throughout the host city. Europride usually culminates during a weekend with a traditional Mardi Gras-style pride parade, live music, special club nights, and an AIDS memorial vigil.
I will once again be hosting a group for one of the largest Pride celebrations in Europe when Amsterdam welcomes EuroPride August 3-8
Don’t miss this year’s incredible “Canal Parade”, the only Pride celebrated on water, and the parties, concerts, and celebrations.
Our package includes 5 nights hotel stay, buffet breakfast, Red Light District Tour, Canal cruise and my assistance services on location.
*Prices subject to change and depend on availability at time of booking. Central hotels sell out fast so make your reservations now!
**Price is land only
***Airfare is not included. Air quotes upon request.
Call Dave 1-800-942-1280
Southern Decadence DEALS!
GAY TRAVEL HOT DEAL!
What began as a simple going-away party in 1972 has evolved into one of New Orleans’ premier annual events: Southern Decadence.
Hosted every Labor Weekend, Southern Decadence is the 5th largest event in the city following Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Essence Fest, and French Quarter Fest. 2014 brought in over 160,000 participants.
Nicknamed the “Gay Mardi Gras,” Southern Decadence is one of those quintessential New Orleans occasions in which participants get to strut their stuff in elaborate costumes and high fashion or barely anything at all, the day of the Parade!
Everyone gets in on the action and all the bars will have their own drag shows, contests, DJs, music and events.
Don’t miss this giant 44th Southern Decadence celebration of LGBT life, music and culture. CALL David now FOR THE BEST DEALS! 1-800-942-1280!
Gay Night @ Six Flags Chicago
Out In The Park at Six Flags Great America
Returns in 2015 BIGGER Than EVER!
A Spectacular Night of Amusement and Entertainment
Presented by MINI Cooper Chicago & Ketel One Vodka
That Will Help Benefit Northalsted Business Alliance
Saturday, September 12th, 2015 from 7PM to 12AM
Hosted by Amanda Lepore AND Pablo Hernandez this year! Attendees for this year’s fourth annual Out In The Park Celebration are in for a night of EPIC proportions.
All night, attendees can follow the bass to the Hometown Square dance area where The DJ’s of SCARLET Bar Chicago and Hostess Trannika Rex and some adorable go go’s well keep the party jumping.
Andrew Christian supermodel and “king of selfies” Pablo Hernandez will be riding rides with guests all night and taking photos. Then at 11:00 he will debut 2 of his new songs, followed by the Queen of New York nightlife, Amanda Lepore, with the worlds most expensive body!
Out In The Park is an annual private LGBT Saturday night fundraising event featuring unlimited riding of ALL Six Flags Great America’s amazing THRILL rides with a portion of all ticket sales each year help benefit various non-profits. “One of the best elements of this event is that it is closed to the general public and this year our event piggy-backs a daytime corporate buyout so our attendees will be entering an EMPTY PARK!” explains Michael Snell, co-owner of BestGayChicago.com. “The LGBT community, their family, friends and supporters can enjoy the park with little to no lines and without homophobic hassles from anyone. It’s like a Fall Gay Pride Celebration with even MORE amusement and entertainment!”
In an interview with ChicagoPride.com: “We are very excited that this private night for charity continues to grow every year and we have gifted over $35,000 to various groups,” said Derrick Sorles, Snell’s husband of 16 years and business partner, “We are more than thrilled that Amanda Lepore is flying in from New York and the handsome Pablo Hernandez (from Los Angeles) will debut his new music at our event this year!”
Advance $40 tickets can be purchased NOW at www.GaySixFlagsChicago.com
FREE parking for this special event! In September the price goes up to $45. $50 the day of the event. All ages event. Drinks are available for purchase to those 21+
Hotels –if you are coming to Chicago for the weekend, we have 3 hotel choices in the heart of Boystown! CITY SUITES, WILLOWS HOTEL and MAJESTIC HOTEL. All the hotels are on our website GaySixFlagsChicago.com
Chicago Hotels in Boystown
If you are gay and visiting Chicago, chances are you want to stay in Boystown, so you are not paying for cabs to go back and fourth from downtown!
Hotels In Boystown Chicago and Things to Do
Celebrate Chicago pride when you stay with hotels near Boystown, Chicago. Enjoy all of the fabulous things to do – just a few blocks from The Majestic Hotel.
PrideFest kicks off June 19-21, On June 22nd will be a Pride Splash at Six Flags, June 25th is Zoo Pride @ Brookfield Zoo, June 26th and 27th gay pride parties all over the city and the BIG Parade, which attracts almost 1 Million people on Sunday June 28th.
The area along North Halsted features the best in Boystown, Chicago bars, dining, entertainment and more. After a night on the town, rest easy in your choice of 3 locations, close to everything! City Suites, The Majestic or The Willows.
Chicago Boystown Hotels near the Action
Boystown is the US’s first officially recognized gay village and still stands as a national hub of our nation’s LGBT community. Explore a host of delightful boutiques, unique eateries and entertainment hot-spots or, if your timing is right, check out the famed Northalsted Market Days in August or Chicago Pride Fest close to hotels near Boystown, Chicago. And now, OUT IN THE PARK at Six Flags in September.
Prague Pride 2015
The 5th edition of the Prague Pride festival will take place from Monday, August 10th through Sunday the 16th, with the Parade, main concert and outdoor party on Saturday the 15th. This year the festival will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a full program to be released soon. The Facebook event of the Prague Pride Parade can be found here.
The Czech Republic is the most LGBT tolerant country of the former Eastern Bloc, with Prague being one of Europe’s top gay destinations. This is reflected by the Prague Pride festival, the biggest and most open LGBT festival in the region. The leading American online newspaper The Huffington Post mentioned Prague as one of the top eight gay destinations in the world and Prague Pride made it to the top ten best Pride festivals in Europe.
The 2014 edition of Prague Pride attracted thousands of visitors every day during the week and more than 20,000 people attended the Gay Pride Parade on Saturday.
There is enough reason to celebrate this year, especially since the 2015 edition will be the fifth edition of Prague Pride.
“Prague Pride grew tremendously over the last five years. From a small, local pride festival we became one of the most interesting and inspiring Pride festivals in Europe. As we are heading to our small anniversary, obviously we are preparing the festival which once again will be full of interesting guests, fabulous parties and mind blowing events”, said Czeslaw Walek, president of Prague Pride.
The week-long program is now being prepared and will be officially released soon, but we are already proud to announce that the London Gay Men’s Chorus, the largest gay men’s chorus in Europe with more than 120 singers, will perform on Friday, August 14th for Prague Pride. The popular and unique Pride Village will make an appearance again this year which will be accessible during the entire festival, along with the Business Forum which brings together interesting and inspiring guests from the business world.
Prague Pride 2015 is also unique because attention is being paid to serious LGBT topics and human rights issues. This year the festival will focus on bullying. More details about this topic and the affiliated campaign will be released soon.
The full program will be released at www.praguepride.com shortly.
MATINEE Las Vegas Dance Party Weekend
Las Vegas is drawing in more and more guys from around the country to the Matinee Las Vegas Festival!
The Biggest Gay Dance Festival of the Summer returns for a 5th Anniversary over Memorial Day Weekend: May 22-25, 2015. Plus, Barcelona’s Biggest Party makes its U.S. debut for our Saturday Night Main Event at America’s Newest Waterpark: Cowabunga Bay!
Reserve your passes NOW and save 25%! A LIMITED NUMBER OF THESE DISCOUNT TICKETS ARE LEFT!! DON’T WAIT!
Use KOBY GRANT at checkout !!
Sitges Spain – BEST GAY PRIDE in the World
BIGGER is not always better.
While Sao Paulo has the BIGGEST GAY PRIDE in the world – I think SITGES has the BEST GAY PRIDE in the world!
Sitges is a fantastic gay-friendly beach town less than an hour away from Barcelona. The city’s seafront promenade, (often called Spains answer to the French Riviera) art deco architecture and nightlife make it a popular tourist spot, especially in the summer, where it is often hard to book a room.
THIS is what PRIDE is supposed to be. Thousands of people having fun, dressing up and partying.
This 10 minutes of fantastic footage will make Sitges the #1 Pride in the world!
Official Video Coverage of the International Gay Sitges Pride 2014 – Including all of the parades, tribute acts, pool parties, events and more. Come Join us in 2015 – June 18th to 23rd.
Gay Pride 2014 is Coming ! To a City Near You!
GAY PRIDE IS COMING! Over the next 6 months, gay prides will be happening coast to coast!
PHOENIX PRIDE April 5-6, 2014
MIAMI PRIDE April 11-13
TOKYO PRIDE April 27rh
SAO PAULO PRIDE May 4th, 2014 – the BIGGEST in the WORLD
NEW JERSEY PRIDE June 1st, 2014
LOS ANGELES PRIDE June 6th-8th
MILWAUKEE WI Pride June 6th-8th
CAPITAL PRIDE DC June 6th-8th
DETROIT PRIDE June 7th-8th
HONOLULU PRIDE June 7th
PHILADELPHIA PRIDE June 8th
BOSTON PRIDE June 8th-16th
KEY WEST PRIDE June 11th-15th 2014
NASHVILLE PRIDE June 12th-14th
SITGES SPAIN PRIDE June 12th-16th
PITTSBURGH PRIDE June 14th-15th
BERLIN PRIDE June 14th-15th
OSLO PRIDE June 20th-29th
HOUSTON GAY PRIDE June 20th-29th
TORONTO PRIDE June 20th-29th – BIGGEST in NORTH AMERICA!
PLUS in 2014, Toronto will actually be WORLD PRIDE with even BIGGER crowds
RHODE ISLAND / PROVIDENCE PRIDE June 21st
NEW YORK CITY PRIDE June 24th-29th
TAMPA FL PRIDE June 27th-29th
PARIS PRIDE June 28th
LONDON PRIDE June 28th
MINNEAPOLIS PRIDE June 28th-29th
CHICAGO PRIDE FEST June 21st – 22nd
(they are trying to fill in the days in between to make a full week of pride)
CHICAGO PRIDE June 29th
SEATTLE GAY PRIDE June 29th
MADRID PRIDE July 2nd-6th
COLOGNE GERMANY PRIDE July 6th
SAN DIEGO PRIDE July 18th-20th
STOCKHOLM PRIDE July 28th – Aug. 2nd
MONTREAL PRIDE July July 28th-Aug. 3rd
AMSTERDAM PRIDE August 1st-3rd – with floats on the canal!
ANTWERP PRIDE August 4th-11th
REYKJAVIK PRIDE August 5th-10th
CHICAGO MARKET DAYS – August 9th-10th (not really pride – but a big party!)
OTTAWA PRIDE August 15th-24th
PRAGUE PRIDE August 11th-17th
COPENHAGEN PRIDE August 26th-31st
ATLANTA PRIDE August 27th-Sept. 1st
SOUTHERN DECADENCE – August 27th-September 1 (not really pride – but a big party)
LAS VEGAS PRIDE September 2nd-8th
AUSTIN TX PRIDE September 20th
DALLAS PRIDE September 21st
MAUI HAWAII October 4th-5th
GAY PRIDE is a time of celebration and with that, usually comes some drinking. MAKE SURE YOU DRINK WATER AS WELL! Keep yourself hydrated! You don’t want to go to the hospital with your boa and go go shorts on! (poor guy!)
Best Gay City Vancouver celebrates Pride Parade and Festival now thru AUGUST 4th
The “big day” is Sunday, August 4,
with the parade rolling through city streets and ending at Sunset Beach
where the festival takes place.
nights with outdoor screenings, a Pride pavilion at the Vancouver Public
Library, a Pride Run, and dance parties for everyone including youth
and clean/sober communities.
.
Running alongside Pride, the numerous events of the QAF bring out the
best and queerest in performing and visual arts held at various downtown
venues. Everyone’s welcome to join in the Vancouver Men’s Chorus’ “Big
Gay Sing,” view the Pride in Community Art Show, take in the play Bi, Hung, and Fit, and more.
Matt Oliver leads this “easy” cycling tour focused on Vancouver’s LGBT
scene and history, and strives to answer the question, “how did the
Davie Village become the gayest and my most favorite place to live in
the world?”
The weekend before the Pride parade, get your fetish on during this
three-night extravaganza at a variety of venues. With event names like
Sin City Confessional and Scarlet Harlot’s Ball, this sexy weekend is
not for the bashful.
Held at the indie-popular Cobalt bar on Main Street, this organization
hosts two back-to-back gender-bender drag king and queer dance party
events on Pride weekend.
Atlanta Gay Pride Happens Oct. 13-14, 2012
October 13th and 14th, 2012, one of the biggest pride events in the US!
Atlanta Pride takes
place in the heart of the gay South with a series of events marked by
the annual parade that runs through beautiful Piedmont Park, Atlanta’s
haven amongst the concrete jungle. Stars galore! Including Andy Bell, Kristine W and more. PLUS, a kcik off party on the 12th -Fourth Annual Official Atlanta Pride Kick-off Party at The Georgia Aquarium. Get a full list of all the events and happenings online.
Celebrating 42 years of pride, Atlanta has long trumped the
stereotype of a conservative, repressed Southern city and shone brightly
with its’ pride flag waving freely. Mixing the fabulous beats of
local DJs with the charm that oozes from the Southern spirit, Atlanta Pride boasts a parade like none other.
But, when the parade goes quiet and the night is still young, Atlanta still
has so much to offer that you’ll be surprised that you hadn’t visited
sooner.
With old world decadence meets modern mertropolis feel, the
ATL is sure to keep you entertained!
Big Gay Hudson Valley – Pride in Upstate New York May 25-27
Big Gay Hudson Valley
(BGHV), the region’s premier source for gay & lesbian information
& resources in the Hudson Valley, has unveiled the plans for its
fourth annual Pride Preview Weekend. Last year, more than 700 people
gathered to kick-off gay pride season with BGHV. For 2012, more than
1,000 guests will celebrate with three days of events that will run from
Friday, May 25th to Sunday, May 27th of Memorial Day Weekend.
- Friday, May 25th – Pride Preview Kick-Off Party at the Out Bar [Event info on Facebook]
- Saturday, May 26th – Pride Preview Cruise on the Hudson onboard Empire Cruise Line’s Mystere [Event info on Facebook]
- Sunday, May 27th – Pride Preview Party at the Locust Grove Estate [Event info on Facebook]
crowds in excess of 650+ in years past. It is a BYO picnic and
attendees are encouraged to pack a picnic dinner to share with their
friends. Locust Grove’s gorgeous estate grounds and gardens also warmly
welcome dogs (on a leash, please) and children. While a bar will not be
set up on site, those of the legal drinking age are invited to pack
their favorite adult beverage of choice to be enjoyed on the lawn during
the event.
Valley’s very-own DJ Ali, Drag Bingo Cabaret with Trixie Starr &
Ophelia Nightly of the Hudson Pride Foundation, and our headliner –
straight from NYC – acclaimed gay performer and music producer DJ
Cazwell.
offering special weekend get-away packages from New York City. For more
information about Pride Preview Weekend, booking accommodations, or to
purchase tickets for select events in advance, visit
BigGayHudsonValley.com.
First Gay Pride Celebration in Prague a Big Success
As Saturday’s march went ahead in light drizzle, riot police held back dozens of far-right extremists who had gathered to shout abusive slogans. But the abuse and moist conditions did not dampen the party atmosphere, as marchers danced to music played from loudspeakers mounted on vans.
Several thousand people marched in the first LGBT Pride parade in the Czech capital Saturday as riot police contained antigay protesters assembled to decry the event.
The BBC reports on the inaugural Pride march and five-day festival, which took place despite claims from Deputy Chancellor Petr Hajek that Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda should not support “deviant fellow citizens.” Conservative president Vaclav Klaus backed his aide, but 13 countries, including the United States, issued a statement in support of the celebration.
The BBC reports that Some 300 police officers worked the scene to prevent the kind of clashes between participants and counterprotesters that occurred at a Pride march in Brno, the second-largest city in the Czech Republic, in 2008.
The march was to culminate in a series of concerts on an island in the Vltava river, as part of a five-day festival comprising some 80 events — concerts, films, seminars, exhibitions and parties — in 30 venues around the capital.
More photos online at BLESK
June is Past, But Gay Pride Celebrations Continue
San Diego Pride… July 15-17
Amsterdam Pride.. July 30 – Aug 7, 2011
Vancouver Pride…. July 31
Montreal Pride…… Aug 9 – 14
Prague Pride Aug. 10-14
Copenhagen Pride. Aug 17 – 21
Capital Pride Ottawa Pride Aug 19-28
Honolulu Pride…… Sep 15 – 17
Las Vegas NV Pride…. Sep 16 -17
Gay Days Disneyland Anaheim, CA Sept 30-Oct 2
Atlanta GA Pride……… Oct 8 – 9, 2011
Gay Budapest Pride June 11 – 19, 2011
The Danube river flows gracefully and the two city parts, Buda and Pest welcome it with a warm embrace. Rather than dividing the city the Danube is in full harmony with the two parts, presenting Budapest with striking vistas.
The Hungarian capital is not too large and not too small. It has just the right size that makes it a pleasant place to live in and to discover. 2 million citizens it is the largest city in the country.
The city is often referred to as the Paris of the east, and deserves this name. It bears some resemblance to Prague, but is larger and friendlier.
Budapest has become a gay mecca in this part of Europe with many gay places. By day, you can visit museums, take a coffee in one of the cafes or visit gay sauna Magnum. By night you can have a dinner at either a cheap or a fancy restaurant and after go to the gay discos or bars.
Since the fall of the communist regime, a commercial gay infrastructure has grown up, though there is less of a sense of community than in other European countries. Nevertheless the very first gay youth group was founded recently and a Gay Pride Day in Budapest has been organized every year since 1997.
It is very exciting we will be there next month, covering the 16th Annual Budapest Gay Pride! 11-19 June @2011. Earlier this year there were some legal problems that arose when the activities and routes had to be expanded – but everything has been worked out and things are moving along full speed ahead!
If you plan to visit, Budapest Pride site has a lot of information for visitors.
While gay life may not be quite the same as in Western Europe and North America, we may assure you that once you understand life the Magyar way, there is no limit to expressing who you are and can be in a tolerant, open and accepting Hungary.
So what exactly IS the Magyar way? Well…just as in the Hungarian language SZIA is hello and HELO can mean goodbye, things work in slightly different ways semantically in Hungary. So although in recent years new exclusively gay and lesbian venues have opened all over the city, there are places that have traditionally always attracted an alternative following, although they have never openly been advertised as such.
Take the Turkish baths, for instance, on “men-only” days. While not officially gay, they have for decades attracted a huge following of admirers of men-only nudist culture, the homo-eroticism of which may be tangible even for casual outside observers. And in the traditional Magyar scheme of things, such places may be far more enjoyable and relaxing than the crude meat market cruising rituals at Western-style gay saunas. The same applies to mixed nightclubs and cafes, almost all of which in Budapest are known to be highly tolerant, accepting and easygoing. Thus Hungary is radically different from the gay circuit party scene of Western Europe and North America, which is precisely its greatest charm and attraction.
GAY PRIDE HISTORY –
The idea of organizing the first gay festival came in the years following the political transition. However, the announcement of Hungary’s first Gay Pride in 1992 was in vain: the event was canceled because of lack of interest.
But the organizers didn’t give up. They started thinking about other kinds of gatherings, and they invited lesbians and gays to a picnic! Over the years the events have grown. In 1993 they had a film festival. BY the 2008 the film festival had become HUGE! Never before had so many non-LGBT individuals and organizations participated in the march, which strongly signified their support for rights. Public figures and organizations reacted to the situation as well, and in the aftermath of the attacks several civil initiatives were launched, whose slogan became: “We’ve had enough of violence against minorities!”
Gay Pride London with Reporter and Singer Danny Hilton
One of our favorite reporters and dear friend Danny Hilton from London, was interviewed by the BBC News for Gay Pride. He writes for Pink News and HOMOVISION.TV and he is a super singer!
London will be THE place to be in 2012. The Olympic Games come to town, her Majesty celebrates her Diamond Jubilee but most importantly of all Pride London will be hosting WorldPride 2012 !
Watch the Video on his Facebook page .
Find Danny Hilton on Facebook
and Danny Hilton UK
