Those attending will need to wear a mask and social distance, and the event will be streamed online for people who don’t want to go in person. On June 4 and 5, Dallas Pride is hosting a two-night outdoor event at Fair Park that’ll include variety shows to raise awareness of and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. In Dallas…the city won’t have a parade or festival this year, and says it hopes for them to return in 2022. The organizers suggest that those who aren’t fully vaccinated get tested prior to the event. Expect to see some big names there like Chaka Khan and Tiësto – who are both headlining. But on June 26 and 27, there'll be a live, outdoor festival called Pride in the Park. In Chicago…the Pride Parade isn’t happening until October 3. Like: a forum with the six major candidates running for mayor, as well as a virtual park lighting ceremony. But there’ll be virtual activities going on throughout June. In Boston…the city’s parade and festival are being postponed until the fall. Like a 5K run and an OUT night at the Georgia Aquarium.
But in June, a couple of events are going down. In Atlanta…Atlanta Pride is planning to host a festival in October. Here’s how Pride Month is being celebrated around the country … Or plan to celebrate virtually – whether that’s with friends and family, co-workers, or your community. If you’re unsure of what to do, it doesn’t hurt to wear a mask and social distance at events. States are also making their own calls on safety precautions – so before you make a Pride game plan, check to see the restrictions in your state or city by checking your local health department website. But the agency suggests that people who are not vaxxed should avoid large gatherings to prevent getting infected with or spreading COVID-19. The CDC says that fully vaccinated people don’t need to wear masks indoors or outdoors, with a few exceptions. Now, celebrations are picking up again, though some orgs are still planning scaled-back events. And as of late May, cases have dropped to their lowest level in nearly a year. But things are looking up for 2021: half of all US adults are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. And as the world came to a halt, so did the usual pride celebrations, with many getting canceled or turning to virtual events. Last year was supposed to be a milestone year, marking the 50th anniversary of the US’s first-ever gay pride parade. Over the years, pride parades and celebrations have been happening around the country and world, from NYC and San Fran to London to Sydney.
( More here on the people behind the Stonewall revolution.) The uprising was a major turning point for the modern gay rights movement – and a year after, the first gay pride parade in the US went down in NYC. But customers fought back, leading to days of riots. On June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn – a popular gay bar in NYC. For years, June has been celebrated as Pride Month to honor the Stonewall riots.