Pride Month has only just begun, but 黑料新闻 has gotten an early start 鈥� with celebrations in Bethel, Wethersfield, Ridgefield and Easton by the end of the first day.
Though two of the largest Pride events 鈥� in Hartford and New Haven 鈥� won鈥檛 happen until September, there are dozens of events across the state aligning with the international month of observance.
For the first time this year, The Health Collective is organizing Hartford Pride. Kay Mu帽oz is their director of community engagement.
鈥淲e don't really feel that it has been a moment that, oh, we have to compete,鈥� Mu帽oz said. 鈥淚f anything, we're celebrating with you, right? Like, that's the whole meaning of Pride 鈥� Not one celebration trumps the other. We're celebrating in unity, right? So if people can come to our Pride, amazing. If you can't, that's fine; we'll catch you at the next one. Or, if not, then, we'll come to you.鈥�
The Health Collective does have one big event this month ahead of Hartford鈥檚 main festival on Sept. 13: the annual queer prom for high school juniors and seniors on June 27. Organizers say Queer Prom is 黑料新闻鈥檚 oldest prom and the second-oldest Queer Prom in the country, after its establishment in 1994.
Tickets are on sale now for this year鈥檚 enchanted forest themed dance for $30 per student, but Mu帽oz said: 鈥淚f they can't afford it, we don't turn anyone away. We have donors who are constantly donating tickets for young people, so all they have to do is just reach out to us, and we're happy to accommodate that as well.鈥�
Many of the Pride month events are outside, so be prepared for the heat later this month and stay hydrated!
Did we miss a celebration in the area? Email us.
Elm Ridge Park Gazebo, 376 Elm St, Rocky Hill, CT 06067, Wednesday June 4 from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Rocky Hill Pride is meeting up at the gazebo in Elm Ridge Park to share snacks, crafts, music and resources to bring 鈥渃ommunity together through a townwide collaboration.鈥�
Stratford Town Hall, 2725 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06615, Thursday, June 5 at 9 a.m.
Stratford is raising a rainbow Pride flag at Town Hall to remain flying all of June for the sixth year in a row. Dr. Gary Blick, founder of the self-titled scholarship fund, will be speaking along with local clergy and other community leaders.
Storrs Rd & Dog Ln, Storrs, CT 06268, Friday, June 6 from 5 to 8 p.m.
The Town of Mansfield is hosting its Pride celebration in downtown Storrs, featuring LGBTQ organizations, selfie stations for celebrants, and free Pride flags and pronoun pins. You can even tie-dye your Pride t-shirts for free.
Norwich City Hall, 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360, Friday, June 6 at 6 p.m.
Norwich is raising a Pride flag in front of city hall to kick off a month of events around Rose City. The flag raising will include an awards ceremony and is followed by the arts and crafts exhibit later that evening.
Donahue Park, 14 Mechanic St, Pawcatuck, CT 06379, Saturday, June 7 at 11 a.m.
Stonington Pride is hosting a pre-Pride in the Park family-friendly celebration. Local businesses will be offering lunches, snacks and treats alongside an art hub and children鈥檚 book readings. Then, you鈥檙e invited to parade over the Rhode Island border to Wilcox Park for the beginning of their Pride in the Park, and for the Town of Stonington and Town of Westerly's Pride Month proclamation.
Hamden Town Center Park, 2761 Dixwell Ave, Hamden, CT 06518, Saturday, June 7 from 12 to 4 p.m.
This family-friendly event will feature community organizations and small businesses, as well as food trucks, music, live performances and crafters.
Main St, Middletown, CT 06457, Saturday, June 7 from 12 to 10 p.m.
Middletown鈥檚 downtown Main Street will once again transform into a 鈥渧ibrant celebration of and demonstration for the LGBTQIA2S+ community.鈥� The full list of activities includes morning yoga, a drag artist reading hour, a march down Main Street, a Pride rally and concert at the South Green and a 21+ Tea Dance.
Veterans Memorial Park, 570 Nova Scotia Hill Rd., Watertown CT, 06795, Sunday, June 8 from 12 to 4 p.m.
This family-friendly celebration will feature bracelet-making, tie-dying and rock painting in addition to a raffle, silent auction and goodie bags. Both savory and sweet treats will be available from local businesses.
Kenosia Park, 10 Christopher Columbus Ave, Danbury, CT 06810, Sunday, June 8 from 1 to 5 p.m.
Everyone and all ages are welcome at Danbury Pride. It will feature food, vendors and information trucks in a family-friendly environment.
Hubbard Green, 1944 Main St., Glastonbury, CT 06033, Sunday, June 8 from 2 to 6 p.m.
This year marks the second annual Glastonbury Pride, sponsored by more than a dozen community organizations and businesses. Local vendors will be popping up for the event on Hubbard Green.
Town Green, 19 Church St., North Haven, CT 06473, Saturday, June 14 from 12 to 4 p.m.
The third annual North Haven Pride will include music, entertainment, food, face painting and local vendors.
At the Bandstand on the Town Green, 25 Main St., New Milford, CT 06776, Saturday, June 14 from 12 to 3 p.m.
Bring your own lunch for New Milford鈥檚 Pride gathering, featuring arts and crafts, like a pronoun button making station; a Pride photo booth; and swag. 鈥淩ock the Rainbow鈥� by hunting for painted rocks downtown for discount codes to local businesses, and enjoy the window displays from participating places.
Veteran's Memorial Park and Marina, 42 Seaview Ave, Norwalk, CT 06855, Saturday, June 14 from 2 to 8 p.m.
Billed as Fairfield County鈥檚 largest LGBTQ event, Pride in the Park returns with live performances, local vendors, several food stands and a bar area.
Mystic Museum of Art, 9 Water St, Mystic, CT 06355, Saturday, June 14 from 3 to 7 p.m.
This Pride event at the Mystic Museum of Art will feature live performances from drag queens, as well as dancing and crafts. This follows Youth Pride earlier in the day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Union Baptist Church.
Cinestudio, 300 Summit St, Hartford, CT 06106 beginning Friday June 20 at 7:30 p.m.
This hybrid in-person and virtual film festival, now in its 38th year, is showcasing queer feature films and shorts from June 20 through 28. All theater screenings will be at Cinestudio on the campus of Trinity College in Hartford, except for the closing day, which will take place at the 黑料新闻 Science Center. The full schedule can be found .
West Hartford Town Hall, 50 S. Main St., West Hartford, CT 06107, Saturday, June 21 beginning at 10:30 a.m.
The rally begins at 10:30 a.m. at town hall, followed by the festival鈥檚 noon start. Expect live music, drag performances, speakers, local vendors, food trucks and family-friendly activities.
45 Lyon Terrace, Bridgeport, CT 06604, Saturday, June 21 beginning at 2 p.m.
The 15th annual event begins with a march starting at the colorful Broad St. steps and ending at Wheeler Park. Then, the Unity in Park celebration kicks off a day of live performances and entertainment, plus local vendors.
176 CT-81, Killingworth, CT 06419, Sunday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Haddam and Killingworth are teaming up again this year for their combined Pride. The family-friendly event features a drag bingo brunch, live music, keynote speakers, an open mic and local vendors.
Jesup Green, 20 Jesup Rd, Westport, CT 06880, Sunday, June 22 from 12 to 3 p.m.
This family-friendly celebration on Jesup Green will feature live music, local artisan vendors, food trucks and information booths. Plus, compete in a chalk drawing showcase.
Mark Twain House, 351 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105, Friday, June 27 from 6 to 9 p.m.
The Health Collective鈥檚 annual queer prom for local teenagers will be at the Mark Twain House in downtown Hartford. Tickets are $30 each, but the organization encourages anyone who cannot afford the cost to reach out for a donated ticket.
ACES at Chase School Grounds, 565 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT 06708, Saturday, June 28 from 12 to 4 p.m.
Greater Waterbury鈥檚 end-of-the-month celebration closes out weeks of related events in town 鈥� from an art crawl and open mic to the first annual film festival. The family-friendly PrideFest will feature drag performances, art, live music, food trucks and local vendors.
The Carousel Museum, 95 Riverside Ave, Bristol, CT 06010, Saturday, June 28 from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
This 21+ event includes dinner, dancing, a silent auction and full access to the Carousel Museum for ball tickets beginning at $50 each.
