Arts & Entertainment
Smaller regional Prides plan virtual, postponed events
NOVA, Frederick, Annapolis et. al. thinking outside the box in pandemic’s wake
Washington
Capital Pride #StillWe launches a virtual series of streamed events June and beyond through a partnership with The D.C. Center.
Programs include monthly online town halls, expanded resources available through its website and a shared community calendar. Pride 2020 Reimagined includes new Pride month programming as well as ongoing virtual versions of the D.C. Center’s Reel Affirmations film series, Outwrite Literary Festival and more.
For more information and a listing of events, visit capitalpride.org and thedccenter.org.
This weekend would typically be D.C. Youth Pride weekend (although they had their 2017 in the fall). No virtual events are listed on either the Youth Pride Alliance website or Facebook page. Organizers did not immediately respond to Blade request for details.
D.C. Leather Pride has been postponed until further notice.
D.C. Trans Pride and Silver Pride (60 and older), usually held in May, may have fall events.
Maryland
Annapolis Pride has cancelled its second annual parade and festival due to COVID-19 concerns and gathering restrictions. But in its place will be an online event live-streamed via YouTube and Facebook on June 27 at 4 p.m. Participants are encouraged to turn their home into a “float” and show off Pride-themed outfits during the virtual event. Visit annapolispride.org to register and for more information.
Baltimore Pride 2020, originally scheduled for Saturday, June 20, has been postponed to either August or September, depending how the COVID-19 situation in Maryland and globally unfolds. The community is encouraged to monitor the Baltimore Pride website for further updates.
Frederick Pride events have been postponed due to pandemic concerns. On Sunday, Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. the rescheduled parade will travel along Carroll Creek Linear Park in historic downtown Frederick. Vendor registration is now open at frederickpride.org. News about Pride events and entertainers will be posted at a later date.
Howard County Pride has been postponed due to the spread of the coronavirus. However, they are planning virtual drag queen story times, poetry slams, a talent show and other virtual events throughout Pride month. For more information, email [email protected] or visit howardcountypride.org.
Hagerstown Pride plans a virtual Pride Festival on Saturday, July 18 at 11:30 a.m. Details at hagerstownhopesmd.org.
Virginia
Hampton Roads Pride announced on its Facebook page a decision to postpone its 32nd Annual PrideFest, ninth annual Pride Block Party and second annual Pride at the Beach all scheduled for June 19-21, 2020 due to pandemic-related health concerns. New dates have not been announced.
However, Pride Night at Harbor Park hosted by Hampton Roads Pride and the Norfolk Tides has been rescheduled to August 26 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $13 on Ticketmaster. Continue to monitor this event’s Facebook page for any changes due to COVID-19.
Ghent Pride, presented by the Ghent Business Association and Hampton Pride, has not announced dates for this year’s event. The public is invited to monitor ghentpride.com and its Facebook page for updates as pandemic guidance evolves.
Winchester Pride is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24 at noon in the Downtown Walking Mall. Its third annual Pride celebration will include guest speakers, entertainment and more. For details and information about this event, the Miss Winchester Pride Pageant scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29, or for possible postponements or adjustments, visit winchesterpridecelebration.com.
No word yet from NOVA Pride, usually held in August. Check later at novapride.org.
Reston Pride is cancelled.
Shenandoah Valley Pride hopes to have its event on Saturday, Sept. 19 from noon-6 p.m. Details at shenandoahvalleypride.org.
VA Pride (Richmond) is also looking to fall with a Sept. 26 event. Details at vapride.org.
West Virginia
Eastern Panhandle Pride in Shepherdstown, W.Va., is postponed indefinitely. Look for the organization on Facebook later in the year for updates. “Alternatives” are being considered, organizers said.
International
Global Pride is June 27 and is an international response to multiple Pride cancellations due to the ongoing global health crisis. This first-ever gathering of the worldwide LGBTQ community includes an impressive slate of speakers to include the President of Costa Rica, Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil of India and more. The show will be livestreamed on the Global Pride website and YouTube, and will be free to view. More information is available at globalpride2020.org.
The 13th annual Frederick Pride Festival was held at Carroll Creek Park in Frederick, Md. on Saturday, June 27.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
View on Threads
Photos
PHOTOS: Fredericksburg Pride March and Festival
LGBTQ celebration held in historic Virginia town
The sixth annual Fredericksburg Pride March was held in downtown Fredericksburg, Va. on Saturday, June 27. Stafford County Board of Supervisors Chair Deuntay Diggs led the march alongside Fredericksburg City Council Member Jannan W. Holmes. The Fredericksburg Pride Festival took place at Riverfront Park after the march. Bree Fram was the featured speaker.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
View on Threads
Iran and Egypt on Friday faced off during the World Cup’s “Pride Match” in Seattle.
Iran is among the handful of countries in which consensual same-sex sexual relations remain punishable by death. Discrimination and persecution based on sexual orientation and gender identity is commonplace in Egypt.
Friday’s match coincided with Pride weekend in Seattle. The Egyptian Football Association and the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran both objected to playing in the “Pride Match.”
Egypt and Iran tied 1-1.
FIFA, for its part, allowed Pride flags inside the stadium during the match.
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 is an inclusive event that welcomes people from all backgrounds,” a FIFA spokesperson told the Washington Blade in a statement. “Fans of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome at matches and events. General statements of human rights, including rainbow flags and other flags representing sexual orientation and gender identity, are permitted under the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Stadium Code of Conduct and may be displayed inside stadiums provided they are used in a manner consistent with the code.”
Human Rights Watch welcomed FIFA’s decision to allow Pride flags inside the stadium. Outright International, a global LGBTQ and intersex rights group, distributed Pride flags in Seattle on Friday, which was Pride Match Day.
“Visibility matters,” said Outright International Executive Director Maria Sjödin. “Pride is now being celebrated in more than 100 countries, including this weekend in Seattle. For many LGBTIQ people, seeing a Pride flag in public is a reminder that they are not alone, and that their rights and dignity are recognized.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino earlier this year told Die Weltwoche, a Swiss magazine, that “there will be no ‘Pride Match’ at the (FIFA) World Cup.”
“There will be a FIFA World Cup match in Seattle, and on the same day, events organized by external organizations will be taking place in the city,” said Infantino. “But that has nothing to do with the match itself.”
Peter Tatchell, a long-time LGBTQ activist from the U.K. who is director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, was among those who traveled to Seattle for Friday’s match. Tatchell accused FIFA of not vetting World Cup teams — specifically Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Senegal, Qatar, Tunisia, Morocco, Iraq, Uzbekistan, and Algeria — over whether they would allow gay players.
“FIFA is protecting LGBT+ visibility in the stands while failing to protect LGBT+ players on the pitch,” said Tatchell.
Actually, I’m gay and I’m queer. It matters
Centenares de personas participan en la Marcha del Orgullo en la capital salvadoreña
Delaware approves amendment protecting same-sex marriage
ACLU says trans athletes ruling is narrower than many believe
Gay US couple among four people found dead in Mexico mass grave
Iran, Egypt play in World Cup ‘Pride Match’
PHOTOS: Frederick Pride Parade
D.C. has a chance to lead on equitable transit through AVs
Carla Hall goes from ‘Top Chef’ to the stage
