In August of 2020, two days after the Delta Foundation folded, Dena Stanley of Trans YOUniting, Dalen Hooks and others from the community called a press conference and announced the intention to rebirth Pride in a way that was centered on community. They wanted to thoughtfully and intentionally step away and out from under the shadows of how Pride had been handled in the past with issues that included a historical lack of meaningful inclusion of black and trans folks and other people of color, lack of black, brown and indigenous people in leadership roles and more.
Picking up the mantle of Pride is a huge undertaking. This was complicated exponentially by COVID-19 shut downs and changing protocols of what was and wasn’t permitted in the state of Pennsylvania and the City of Pittsburgh. When Pittsburgh Pride Group, led by Dena Stanley and Dalen Hooks received word of the changing COVID-19 protocols, they immediately got to work on securing dates and permits for the first annual Pittsburgh Pride Revolution. There have certainly been a lot of changes since August, but as things settled the goal of creating a more community-centered space reflecting what the community has requested, has never wavered. They have made magic happen in a little over a month.
This year, there will be both in-person and virtual events. Pittsburgh Pride Group is working hard to make sure that this year’s celebration of Pride is as inclusive as possible. The Pittsburgh Pride Revolution March is taking place on Saturday, June 5. Line up begins at 11:00 am and will step off at 12:00 from the City County Building in downtown Pittsburgh.
The march is “protest style”, meaning no large vehicles or floats and will end at Allegheny Commons Park by Lake Elizabeth. There will be a mini-festival with over 25 vendors from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm and it will including live acts, a Drag Showcase of some of Pittsburgh’s most beloved Drag Queens, Aaliyah’s Vogue Showcase- and the day will end with a “Rocky Horror Picture Show” socially distanced sing-along with the Junior Chamber of Commerce players.
Sunday’s festivities move to a more intimate venue, Trace Brewing at 4312 Main Street in Bloomfield folks of all ages can watch the Pittsburgh Pride Virtual Showcase with 30 acts from local, national, and international performers together hosted by Mix Universe, Luna La Creme, and Malcum Tent. The showcase will also be shown publicly at Brewers Bar, for those that are 21+. The virtual showcase will be accessible online via zoom and can be watched wherever you are. At Trace Brewing a handful of organizations who helped put on this year’s event will be tabling, there will be button making and face painting, there will be food trucks throughout the day, at 5:30 there will be Drag Queen Story Time with Akasha L. Van Cartier and some dance grooves spun by the amazing DJ Huny from 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm.
For the 21 plus crowds who want to keep the party going several of our local bars are doing their own pride after-parties, including 5801, Blue Moon Bar, Brewers, and There. Please check individual Facebook pages for more information
This will be a jam-packed first weekend of June!