Join us this June as the Office of LGBT Affairs and citywide community partners celebrate this year’s Pride Month. There will be many events to attend—both in-person and virtual—including the official Pride flag raising, and much more you won’t want to miss. All events listed below are free, unless otherwise noted.
Happy Pride Month, Philadelphia!
LGBTQ+ Pride Month Flag Raising
To kick off LGBTQ+ Pride Month, the Office of LGBT Affairs is proud to raise the More Color More Pride flag—first introduced by the Office in 2017. Since then the flag has helped spark an international conversation about diversity, inclusion, racism, and the intersectionality of queer identities. Join the Office for live performances, dynamic speakers, music, and community members for the event on Friday, June 11th from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. This event will also be livestreamed on the Office’s Facebook page.
City Skyline Light Ups
Some of the city’s most iconic sites will show off their rainbow colors to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month, with Boathouse Row, the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Philadelphia International Airport and more participating.
Free Library of Philadelphia
The Free Library of Philadelphia celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June with book and film recommendations, events for all ages, and resources in Philadelphia. Through exploring this topic, you can also find lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer resources and support, emphasizing the diversity of sexual and gender identity-based cultures. Other resources include information on bullying, safety, and coming out; books and resources for parents and siblings; biographies of important LGBTQ figures in the community; and award-winning LGBTQ fiction.
PrideFLIX by qFLIX
qFLIX Philadelphia, the region’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival proudly continues its tradition of sharing the stories of LGBTQ+ people. The virtual film festival will launch on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, and promises a stellar line up of LGBTQ+ documentaries, feature films, short films, and web series.
Immigrant Heritage Month
The month of June is an opportunity to highlight stories and recognize the impact that different communities have had on our world. Through storytelling, Immigrant Heritage Month (IHM) offers an opportunity to explore the diversity of immigrant communities. Similarly, Pride Month commemorates events like the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Greenwich Village, New York, which demonstrate the impact LGBTQ individuals have had on history.
Celebrate Juneteenth
Juneteenth—which has a unique cultural and historical significance for our country—symbolizes freedom, represents the triumph of emancipation, and marks a day of reflection. Learn more about ways the City is commemorating Juneteenth.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the date when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas to ensure that enslaved people were freed. The troops arrived two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln. On January 27, 2021, Mayor Jim Kenney signed Executive Order 2-21, which made changes to the list of City Holidays. The City of Philadelphia will once again recognize Juneteenth (June 19) as a holiday.
Disability Pride
Disability Pride Virtual PA kicks off on Monday, June 21 with the raising of the National ADAPT flag, honored guests followed by a virtual parade! The event will be filled with workshops, performances, socials, and participatory activities.
Opioid Overdose Prevention & Narcan Overdose Reversal Training for LGBTQ+ Communities
In a recent national study, LGB adults had nearly three times greater risk of opioid use disorder than heterosexual adults. The same study found that people of trans experience are at higher risk of opioid over-prescription, which can later lead to an opioid use disorder.
The Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) Education & Training Unit, in collaboration with the LGBTQ+ initiative, presents Opioid Overdose Prevention & Narcan Overdose Reversal Training for LGBTQ+ Communities on Tuesday, June 15 at 4:00 p.m. Register here.
Pronouns Lunch & Learn
What are gender pronouns and why is it important to share them? Is there a connection between mental health and pronouns? What do you do if you get somebody’s pronouns wrong? If you have ever asked yourself any of these questions, join the Pronouns 101 Lunch & Learn on Wednesday, June 23 12:00 p.m., brought to you by the DBHIDS LGBTQ+ Initiative. Register here.
