Featuring events courtesy of Lady Fag, Reclaim Pride, BAM, Papi Juice, Bubble_T, and more
With World Pride Month here, LGBTQ+ people and allies alike get the opportunity to celebrate everything it means to be queer. This weekend sees the rainbow flag head to New York for its annual Pride festival; this year it’s even more of a celebration, coinciding with 50 years since the Stonewall riots in 1969.
There’s a wealth of riches to choose from at this weekend’s celebration. Here’s everything you need to know – brace yourself and enjoy!
FRIDAY JUNE 28
15th Annual Trans Day of Action
The annual call to power feels more pertinent than ever this year. Activists gather to honour the trans women who make this celebration worth it – from Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera and Victoria Cruz at the Stonewall riots; to Layleen Xtravaganza Cubilette-Polanco, a trans woman who died in solitary confinement at Rikers Island in June. The crowd gathers at Washington Square Park to demand housing equity and large-scale support for trans, non-binary and POC communities.
The Trans Day of Action gathers at Washington Square Park on Friday, June 28 from 4–6pm; free.
A Strange Loop
Michael R. Jackson unleashes his dark, witty meta-musical about a fat, gay black playwright writing a show about a fat, gay, black playwright. Jackson’s self-aware book dives into the absurdities and impossibilities of black queer identity without ever coming off as overly didactic or self-righteous. Star Larry Owens blasts the house down in songs about Grindr, AIDS anxiety and parental shame. A dark, funny referendum on Pride, as it were, in 2019.
A Strange Loop runs nightly at Playwrights Horizon Theater, through July 28; $59–$109.
Ladyland Festival
Supreme imperator of queer nightlife Ladyfag throws her second annual celebration of drag, dance music and underground artistry. On deck for this year’s two-day marathon are names like Honey Dijon, Pussy Riot, Yvie Oddly, Gossip, Mykki Blanco, Rina Sawayama, and Violet Chachki. Lower Manhattan and Bushwick-based children of the club have been prepping their looks for this all year long; be sure to double-stud your boots and handwash your mesh now.
Lady Land goes down at the Brooklyn Mirage Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29; $80–$140.
SATURDAY JUNE 29
27th Annual NYC Dyke March
For nearly three decades, this radical protest has set the standard for shunning corporate and police activity at Pride. This year’s ‘Dykes Without Borders’ edition seeks to clobber xenophobia, immigration policy, and bigotry against queer and trans communities all over the world.
The NYC Dyke March steps off from Bryant Park at 5pm and continues to Washington Square Park. Saturday, June 27; free.
Romy & Michele’s Saturday Afternoon Tea Party
DJ Bright Light Bright Light’s weekly day party never fails to provide blissful bops and B-sides by Mariah Carey, Bette Midler, and TLC. Though the free party always toasts the subversive single woman’s classic Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion with song-request Post-its, the jumbo Pride edition will feature Businesswoman’s Cocktail specials and a surge of Madonna. Your best bet for a low-key (low-cost) kiki all weekend.
Romy & Michele’s goes down at Club Cumming on Saturday, June 27 from 3–5pm; free.
Everybooty
BAM’s annual multi-story blowout promises a heaping array of everything Brooklyn loves: Voguing from the House of LaBeija; gender-fucked burlesque by Switch ‘n Play; drag from titans like Lady Quesa’Dilla; performance art from Erin Markey and Salty Brine; piano singalongs; and DJ sets by J Clef and the revered Papi Juice collective. Keep your phone handy – you will lose your friends in the many party arenas.
Everybooty is held at BAM Fisher on Saturday, June 27 starting at 9pm; $30.
Trade: Gaywatch
Ridgewood’s down-home, ever-debauched queer club The Deep End goes overboard for this beach-themed bash. DJs William Francis and Scooter McCreight serve disco, house and ballroom pop while porn stars, drag artists and revellers bounce from the dance floor to the dark room. All you need is a bathing suit.
Trade: Gaywatch is at the Deep End on Saturday, June 27 from 10pm–5am; $20.
SUNDAY JUNE 30
Queer Liberation March
Police and corporate floats are banned from this political march, which starts at Sheridan Square and ends with performances and speeches at Central Park. Those repulsed by ad-driven queer pandering can connect to the city’s radical queer history, with legends like Justin Vivian Bond, Larry Kramer, Kevin Aviance and Masha Gessen taking the stage.
The march kicks off from Sheridan Square at 9:30am, and the Central Park Rally begins at 1pm. Sunday, June 29; free.
Live Arts Pride: The House Party
The greatest hits of queer art and nightlife in NYC gather for this highbrow blowout, which features performances, installations, a marketplace and a ‘Pozluck’ social for HIV+ attendees. The pantheon of contributors is unbeatable, with works by Papi Juice, Bubble_T, Ragga, the House of LaBeija and many others. Likely the best way to replenish your neurotransmitters after Saturday night.
NYC Live Arts hosts their Pride celebration from 2–8pm on Sunday, June 29; $35, at the door $40.
World Pride Divas
Though Bushwig is still months away, its queens are gathering for a well-curated weekend-ender on Sunday night. Bushwick mega-club 3 Dollar bill plays host to genre-defying acts like Horrorchata, Merrie Cherry, Lucy Balls, Tyler Ashley and Harajuku. As the title suggests, DJs Hannah Lou and Ickeras will serve a steady stream of Cher, Nicki Minaj and Celine Dion throughout the night. The best and final chance for catching trade.
World Pride Divas goes down at 3 Dollar Bill from 4pm–4am on Sunday, June 29; $10–$20.