Support the LGBTQIA+ community during Pride month with all these festive events!
Celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and the diverse spectrum of sexuality this month! Below is a chronological guide to the many events happening around the city during this celebratory month.
1. Savor colorful cocktails while supporting LGBTQIA+ charities
Local Philly bars have organized to each sell one of 8 cocktails representing a color of the Pride flag to raise money for Philadelphia LGBTQ+ charities. All month long every dollar from the purchase of a cocktail will go to one of four charities: William Way LGBT Community Center, Attic Youth Center, Philly Asian Queer, and Galaei. The restaurants participating are:
- Juno, serving the black Mezcal Margarita
- Craft Hall, serving the brown German Chocolate Cold Brew Martini
- Rosy’s Taco Bar, serving the red Stateside Rose Cocktail
- Morgan’s Pier, serving the orange Orange Crushin’ It Cocktail
- Harper’s Garden, serving the yellow Driftin’ Away Cocktail
- Lola’s Garden, serving the green Butterfly Gimlet Cocktail
- The Garden at Cherry Street Pier, serving the blue Frozen Electric Lemonade
- Parks on Tap, serving the purple Pride Punch Cocktail
2. Visit the William Way LGBT+ Community Center’s virtual gallery
This Community Center understands the power of art and strives to empower the diverse LGBTQIA+ communities through their artistic voices. Even though the galleries are closed because of the pandemic, there are currently 6 exhibits showcasing LGBTQ+ artists that you can visit from the comfort of your own home, providing a COVID-free activity.
3. Sip on the limited edition #LoveisLove beer
Evil Genius Beer Company released a limited-time Strawberry Blonde Ale beer that they will be serving during the month of June. With every purchase of this drink, a portion of the sales will go to The Trevor Project, an organization that enables crisis intervention and suicide prevention for the LGBTQIA+ community.
4. Celebrate Pride at the Please Touch Museum
On June 11, Philadelphia’s round children’s museum will be hosting a Pride event with engaging and educative activities for the young visitors. An interactive storytime session will be hosted by a Philadelphia drag queen who “encourages accepting differences, broadening perspectives, and looking beyond gender and other stereotypes.” Next, the children will learn about the science behind rainbows as well as create their own in an art studio activity. Furthermore, books will be available throughout the museum for children to discover. Visitors must book a time session for these activities.
5. Watch the rising of the Pride flag at City Hall
From 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 11, speakers and performers will showcase the importance of Pride before the symbolic rise of the Pride flag at City Hall. Community members will also be able to receive a COVID vaccine on site.
6. Participate in the five day Doylestown Pride Festival
From June 13 to 19, these multi-day events are meant to celebrate the diversity of sexual orientations in Philadelphia. These events will feature a Pride music party, outdoor film screenings, art shows, and pop-up events that all celebrate the spectrum of sexuality. Visit their website for more information.
7. Run a virtual race for Pride
Run a 5k or a 1.5 mile fun run and win a cash prize! The prizes will be given to the top 3 fastest 5k runners and the “most festive participants” of the 1.5 mile race. Pride swag will be given to runners when they sign up and the races must be completed between Sunday, June 13 at 10 a.m. and Sunday, June 20 at 10 a.m. Get your running shoes on and go running for pride!
8. Support an LGBTQ+ bookstore
Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room is “the oldest and very best LGBTG and feminist bookstore in the country.” Located in Midtown, they sell thousands of queer authors and strive to celebrate the spectrum of sexuality one book at a time. For more wholesome bookstores to support, read this article.