With an official count of 12,000 marching in the Pittsburgh Pride march and parade on Saturday, June 4, and estimated crowds as high as 30,000 at events from Thursday through Sunday, Pittsburgh Pride weekend filled the region with rainbows and support for the LGBTQ Community.
“This is the best Pittsburgh Pride weekend in a decade,” said Nicole Parks, 36 of Friendship, who was in attendance at the Pittsburgh Pride Revolution Northside Festival on Saturday.
Too Hot For July
Pride weekend in Pittsburgh kicked off on Thursday with Too Hot For July. The event, its purpose to honor those affected with HIV, was held outside of KLVN Coffee Lab, and was hosted by True T PGH and AIDS Free Pittsburgh. A stage was set up with entertainment for guests, and booths lined the block. Food and drinks were available for purchase from KLVN, Spirit, Goodlander, Secretos, and Deez Concessions.
Ball on the Bridge
Friday afternoon brought Ball on the Bridge, a Pride celebration on the Andy Warhol Bridge. Vendors sold pride flags, fans, and more, and the bridge was as colorful as it has ever been. Drinks were available from Blue Moon, Kung Fu Tea, and other vendors. The event lead right into Pride on the Shore.
Pride on the Shore
Pride on the Shore started with a free drag show outside of Stage AE, where many local drag queens and kings performed for a hyped crowd. After a few hours, the party moved into Stage AE’s outdoor area for more drag, as well as a performance by Raye and Jessie J. Pittsburgh-born queer icon Billy Porter shared the trailer for his upcoming film, Anything’s Possible, and brought out the star of the movie, Eva Reign. The crowd danced the night away with Jessie J.
Photos by G Michael Beigay and Mara Rago
Pittsburgh Pride march and parade
Tony, Emmy, and Grammy award-winning actor, singer, author, and director Billy Porter grand marshaled the Pittsburgh Pride march and parade of 12,000 from the City-County Building downtown to the Pittsburgh Pride Revolution Northside Festival in Allegheny Commons Park West.
Elected officials and candidates in attendance included Pennsylvania Attorney General and Democratic Nominee for Governor Josh Shapiro, Geisel Fetterman, wife of Lt Governor and US Senate candidate John Fetterman, Democratic nominee for US Congress Summer Lee, State Senator Lyndsey Williams, State Representatives Jessica Benham, Dan Frankel, Dan Miller, and Emily Kinkead, Democratic nominee for State Representative La’Tasha Mayes, Mayor Ed Gainey, City Councilman Bruce Kraus, and many more.
Photos by G Michael Beigay and Mara Rago
Pittsburgh Pride Revolution Northside Festival
With booths and vendors, two stages, and lots of joy, the Pittsburgh Pride Revolution Festival filled Allegheny Commons Park West on Saturday.
Photos by Mara Rago and G Michael Beigay
The Rainbow Cruise
On Saturday, June 4th, the Rainbow Cruise presented by Nick Staples set sail on Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers! With the spirits flowing, spirits were definitely high during this floating Pride celebration! DJ Charlie B’s music and the wonderful personalities of birthday girl Lola LeCroix, Calipso, and Blade Matthews had the crowd bouncing all night!
Photos by Jason Shavers
SisTers PGH Swissvale Pride
SisTers PGH People’s Pride Swissvale presented a parade that marched through the streets of Swissvale over to Dickson Elementary school for a festival. Vendors formed a square around the field outside the school, and kids painted pride flags in the center.
Photos by Jeff Freedman and Tia Bailey
Pittsburgh Pride Revolution Bloomfield Festival
The Pittsburgh Pride Revolution festivities continued in Bloomfield on Sunday with a festival that took place outside of Trace Brewing. Main St. was closed off and the few blocks were packed with people dancing and hanging out. Vendors sold jewelry, flags, and other fun Pride things, and the main stage outside of Trace bumped with music and performances. Some of the crowd cooled off inside Trace Brewing, which was just as lively as the outside.
Photos by Jeff Freedman
5801 Video Lounge Events
5801 Video Lounge in Shadyside also held a weekend of Pride events featuring two queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Ongina and Heidi N Closet.
Photos by G Michael Beigay
