Good afternoon, New Orleans! This month starts off with a bang as our city and worldwide, people celebrate Pride. This month is not only an opportunity for people to celebrate who they are but for all residents to indulge in New Orleans cuisine and traditional New Orleans style celebrations. Little do most residents know, New Orleans is recognized as the most accepting and welcoming city for people of the LGBTQ+ community. New Orleans is a top destination for Pride events and noted to be one of the best cities for celebrating Pride or celebrating anything for that matter. This month and always, New Orleans celebrates Pride with various events that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and everyone can partake in. These events are great opportunities to support your community and learn more about what Pride means for individuals and for the entire city.
NOLA Parades & Parties for Pride
The first noteworthy event to celebrate the queer community is the NOLA Pride Parade on June 11 from 6-10 p.m. This parade runs down Decatur and St. Louis Street all the way to Rampart Street and finally concludes at Bourbon Street between St. Ann and Dumaine Street. When arriving at this parade, you should expect to see lots of walking groups, many dancing groups, miniature floats, and rainbow flags galore. After celebrating your community, the parade finishes with even more celebrations to follow. At 8 p.m., Grrl Spot and Girl: Crush puts on a queer and women-friendly party at One Eyed Jacks. Similarly, at 10 p.m., Betty's Bar & Bistro are hosting a dance party to uplift the queer community and celebrate all LGBTQ+ people.
Building a New Awareness with Pride
Pride events do not end at this fun parade but actually continue throughout the end of June and lead into July. For one event, New Orleans combines the goals of Habitat for Humanity with the recognition of the discrimination towards housing for people of the queer community. Thus, on June 4 and June 18 each, from 9-5 p.m., all allies, family members, friends, and people of the LGBTQ+ community come together for the Pride Build. This build not only raises awareness for the need of affordable housing but seeks to end the systemic prejudice against queer homeowners. Through this Pride Build, the hope is that people can achieve a greater understanding of the LGBTQ+ community and the discrimination they face, as well as change people's lives through the creation of more affordable and adequate housing options.
One More Pride Guide Destination
If these events don't interest you, do you like to party? Then the Annual Pride Party is for you. During the first weekend of June, a plethora of not-to-miss shopping opportunities, performances, and food organizations come together to party and celebrate pride. First by attending this party, you get your chance to shop with Fringe + Co, a women and LGBTQ+ owned and operated shop based in New Orleans. Not only this but with attendance you can enjoy special drag performances by the amazing Fabigail Tchoupitoulas, Laveau Contraire, and Tarah Cards. Then, in addition to all your shopping bags and your entertainment peaked, you will get to enjoy music from DJ Liz Owen. Finally, with all this excitement to be seen and felt, don't forget that if you attend this party you will get to feast on traditional New Orleans style food served by Hatch & Harvest and Urban Smash to refuel your energy after partying. Now you know you really don't want to miss this, so be there on Saturday, June 4 from 2-8:10 p.m. at the Urban South Brewery at 1645 Tchoupitoulas Street.
Be Queer and Happy Here in NOLA
The reason to live in New Orleans is because New Orleans is a city that accepts people for who they are. With these celebrations, residents come together as a community to hopefully end any discrimination against people of the LGBTQ+ community. Not only do citizens get to reignite their passion to celebrate with one another and party but they get to work together to help people feel free within themselves. Do yourself a favor this month and partake in some of these events with your friends! It'll make a real difference to many and a great difference within yourself. To prepare for these events check out this video from the New Orleans & Company YouTube and happy Pride month to all those participating!
