Organizations like the OKC Pride Alliance and Oklahomans for Equality are hosting in-person events, after many last year were held virtually or paused due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The first Pride march was one year after the Stonewall Uprising in June 1969. Now, June is recognized as Pride Month, a time for remembrance and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
The OKC Pride Alliance adapted to the pandemic and had virtual events last year, but this year the organization is hosting in-person festivities.
Hannah Royce, President of the OKC Pride Alliance, said while the pandemic did pause in-person events, it did not change the need to address issues for the LGBTQ+ community such as food poverty, substance abuse and homelessness rates.
“We come around to June annually, and we get really excited about a party and an event - but the realities are our community still has a long way to go, and we all need to take part in responsibility in ensuring that this is a good place for them to live, this is a safe place for them to live,” Royce said.
LGBTQ+ young adults experience homelessness more than twice as likely as young adults identifying as heterosexual and cisgender, according to findings by the Voice of Youth Count initiative by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.
Royce said Pride is just one month, but it is important to show year-round support for the community.
Dozens of events in support of the LGBTQ+ community are happening in Oklahoma this week:
Oklahoma City
- Wednesday, June 23 - Youth Night at Factory Obscura, 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, June 24 - “Sip and Stroll” at Oklahoma City Zoo (21 and older), 7 p.m.
- Friday, June 25 - Sunday, June 27 - OKC Pride Alliance’s Pridefest, a festival celebrating Pride with entertainment, food and more, Scissortail Park
- Friday, June 25 - OKC Pridefest After Party Concert featuring Greyson Chance, Tower Theatre, 11:30 p.m.
- Saturday, June 26 - OKC Pride Alliance’s Pride Parade launch party, Arts District in downtown OKC, 8 a.m.
- Saturday, June 26 - OKC Pride Alliance’s Pride Parade, downtown OKC, 10 a.m.
- Saturday, June 26 - A book signing for Black and Queer: There’s More Than Sugar in My Tank written by Asa Leveaux, The Eleanor, 1:30 p.m.
- Sunday, June 27 - Trek’s Pride Ride, Will Rogers Park, 9 a.m.
- Sunday, June 27 - Pride: an OKCStorySLAM online event, 7 p.m.
Tulsa
- Monday, June 21- Tulsa Interfaith Pride Service, 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 22 - Circle Cinema: Pride Night, 6 p.m.
- Thursday, June 24 - Raspberry Pride Pint Night, 5 p.m., NEFF Brewing
- Friday, June 25 - Rainbow Run 1 Mile Fun Run, 7 p.m. 5k Race, 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, June 25 - Concert by BIG FREEDIA, 10 p.m.
- Saturday, June 26 - Tulsa Pride Festival, 12 p.m.
- Saturday, June 26 - Tulsa Pride Parade, 6 p.m.
- Saturday, June 26 - Crystal Methyd, 9 p.m.
- Sunday, June 27 - Tulsa Pride: Picnic in the Park, 1-5 p.m., Guthrie Green
Stillwater
- Tuesday, June 22 - Pride in the Park, 6:00 p.m., Couch Park
