Pride month is here, and the ways to celebrate are endless. However, it’s crucial not to overlook the fact that Pride is a political event protesting the unjust treatment and systems faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Here’s what to know about Pride Month in Nashville and how to get involved.
🎉 Why We Celebrate in June
Pride as we know it started with the Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969, when police raided a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village and patrons fought back. The ensuing fights outside the bar continued for six days and fundamentally changed the discourse of LGBTQ+ activism. Historians note that Stonewall was primarily a shift in how white cisgender people viewed queer rights and that it was actually a culmination of years of activist efforts.
On the uprising’s first anniversary, Pride solidarity marches were held in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago. More and more cities joined until the federal government recognized the month officially in 1999.
Nashville held its first Pride parade on June 25, 1988. According to Nashville Pride President Nicholas Gulick, “Pride celebrations have been going on in Nashville for well over 50 years. In fact, we know of some picnics that were held in Nashville as a direct result of the Stonewall riots.”
While only 125 people attended that first Pride parade, which began at Fannie Mae Dees Park and ended at Centennial Park, more than 125,000 people attended last year.
🌈 How To Celebrate Pride in Nashville
- Our big Nashville Pride Festival runs June 27-29 at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Performers include Kim Petras, Estelle, 4 Non Blondes, Big Freedia, and so many more. You need to purchase tickets to attend, and pack everything in a clear bag. And bring water! It will be hot. All are welcome; there’s even a kid’s section.
- The Nashville Pride Parade on June 28 is free! It kicks off on Broadway at 10 a.m.
- Celebrate all month by attending our suburb Pride festivals! Franklin Pride and Affirming Sumner celebrates on June 7, the inaugural Mt. Juliet Pride is June 8, and Rutherford County’s is June 21.
- Go to a drag show! Play Dance Bar has several this month, as does City Winery and Zanies. Suzy Wong’s Drag’n Brunch has shows every weekend.
- Love baseball? The Nashville Sounds Pride Night is June 5.
- The next Queer Book Club meets at The Lipstick Lounge on June 8. They’ll be discussing “Zami, A New Spelling of My Name” by Audre Lorde.
- Attend the annual Nashville Pride Pageant at Play Dance Bar on June 15. This year’s is Ancient Egypt-themed!
- Support queer-owned businesses, like Novelette Booksellers, D’Andrews Bakery and Cafe, Margot Café & Bar, and Tribe Nashville.
City Cast Nashville newsletter editor Margaret Kingsbury contributed to this article.
