Guide to Pride 2020: Virtual Events and Destinations to Celebrate 50 Years of Pride
Every June, the world recognizes and celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community in what has become known as Pride Month, and this year commemorates 50 years of Pride! To refresh your memory, the Gay Liberation Movement began in New York City after the Stonewall Riots on June 28, 1969 and one year later, in 1970, the first Pride celebration took place.
Colorful and bold celebrations occur around the world annually, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many have been canceled. Luckily, organizations that are hosting Pride events have decided to take things digital so you can participate safely no matter where you are! Furthermore, because Pride was started by trans and non-gender conforming people of color, many events will celebrate and advocate for the Black Lives Matter movement, too.
To honor the LGBTQIA+ community, we’ve rounded up virtual events and destinations around the world that celebrate 50 years of Pride.
Worldwide Virtual Events
Global Pride: Friday, June 26 at 10 p.m. PT/Saturday, June 27 at 1 a.m. ET
- Welcome to the first worldwide LGBTQIA+ event! Hosted by Todrick Hall and starring world leaders, royalty, pop stars, and drag queens, this 24-hour global livestream will put the Black Lives Matter movement at its center.
Can’t Cancel Pride: Thursday, June 25 at 9 p.m. ET
- Sia, Adam Lambert, Billy Porter, Katy Perry, and more artists are slated to perform at “Can’t Cancel Pride,” a benefit concert that will be aired on iHeartRadio. Donations will go to organizations like The Trevor Project, GLAAD, and the National Black Justice Coalition, as well as towards COVID-19 relief for the LGBTQIA+ community.
She’s a Riot—Black Trans Lives Matter and Pride Virtual Fundraiser: Thursday, June 25 at 5 p.m. PT
- Presented by Deryck Todd, this virtual rally, march, and music fundraiser will feature many stars from the LGBTQIA+ community, including Billy Porter and MJ Rodriguez. All proceeds will be donated to the Marsha P. Johnson Institute!
It Gets Better: A Digital Pride Experience: Wednesday, June 24 – Friday, June 26 at 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT
- Hosted by actress, singer, drag queen, and activist Miss Peppermint, the It Gets Better Project is a three-day “Pride extravaganza” that will feature musicians, artists, drag queens, and more from around the world.
#VirtualPride with GayTravel.com: Sunday, June 28
- Hosted by GayTravel.com, this event encourages people to virtually show their pride by joining virtualpride.com or using the hashtag #VirtualPride on Twitter. A schedule will be released closer to the day of the event and you can sign up here for details.
Netflix Pride Special presented by Most: Tuesday, June 30 at 4 p.m. PT
- A digital event for reflection and celebration hosted by Chaka Khan, Laverne Cox, and Peppermint, presented by Most! Benefiting OutRight, The Marsha P Johnson Institute, and the Trans Justice Funding Project. Watch on Netflix YouTube.
Celebrate Pride wherever you are with Spotify’s playlists and podcasts
- Spotify has curated several playlists to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, encouraging listeners to find their “perfect Pride soundtrack.” Turn it up!
United States Virtual Events
New York City, New York
- NYC Pride’s Human Rights Conference: Thursday, June 25 at 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. ET
- NYC Pride’s Virtual Rally: Friday, June 26 at 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET
- NYC Pride Special Broadcast Event: Sunday, June 28 at noon to 2:00 p.m. ET
- This special broadcast event will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Pride March. It will salute first-line workers and include performances from Billy Porter, Janelle Monáe, Luísa Sonza, and more.
- Available to watch on ABC, check your local listing
- NYC Pride 2020: ON TOP of The World!: Sunday, June 28 at 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. ET
- ON TOP of the World will celebrate the Nightlife community on a global scale, with performances from DJs, musicians, hosts, and more!
- Tickets on sale here
- National Queer Theater: Tuesday, June 16 – Sunday, June 28
- The National Queer Theater will host a series of virtual events + performances by LGBTQIA+ playwrights, actors, and performers throughout the month.
- Them’s Out Now Live Event: Rewatch the June 22 event on YouTube
- Them (a Condé Nast LGBTQIA+ publication) hosted a digital event featuring Princess Nokia, Antoni Porowski, Elton John, and more celebrities from the LGBTQIA+ community. The broadcast served as a fundraiser for the Ali Forney Center.
- NYC LGBT Historic Sites: Self-guided digital tours around New York City.
San Francisco, California
- Frameline 44 Pride Showcase: Thursday, June 25 — Sunday June, 28
- Enjoy film screenings that include live and pre-recorded intros, Q&A sessions, and more.
- Learn more about how to virtually attend here.
- Openhouse’s LGBTQ Senior Prom: Thursday, June 26 at 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. PT
- See more information on Facebook
- Trans March 2020: Friday, June 26 at 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT
- Livestream on Facebook
- Illuminate the Pink Triangle: Saturday, June 27
- A symbol of hope and inclusion, San Francisco’s Pink Triangle in Twin Peaks will play an important and inspiring role in San Francisco’s annual Pride celebration.
- Pride 50: Generations of Hope — CBS Televised Special: Sunday, June 28 at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT
- Broadcast on KPIX KBCW in the Bay Area; livestream available here.
Los Angeles, California
- LA Pride: 50th Anniversary: Saturday, June 27 at 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. PT
- The first virtual Pride parade will air as a 90-minute prime-time special on ABC7
- Lambda Literary Does Pride: Every Tuesday & Thursday in June
- Highlights LGBTQ+ authors with livestreams of readings and discussions
Seattle, Washington
- Together for Pride: Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28
- A virtual celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community with speakers, performances, and activities; in partnership with Gender Justice League and PrideFest
Portland, Oregon
- Portland Pride: Celebrate Pride Together: Wednesday, June 24 at 6 p.m. to to 7 p.m.PT
- Register to attend the virtual event here
- Pride Northwest: Virtual rewatch
Chicago, Illinois
- Chicago Pride Fest: Rewatch the livestream on Twitch
- 4theQulture: A 3-Day Virtual Celebration of Pride: Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28 at 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. CT each night
- Digital event featuring DJ sets, music, theatrical performances, drag, interactive games, and more!
- Kiki in the Commons: Saturday, June 27 at 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT
- Hosted by the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Kiki in the Commons is a virtual conversation about drag and its relationship to art history.
- Livestream on Facebook
Houston, Texas
- It Started with a Riot! March & Rally: Saturday, June 27 at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT
- Hosted by the Houston City Hall, this event will take place IRL rather than virtually. Don’t forget to wear your mask!
San Antonio, Texas
- Pride Bigger Than Texas Virtual: Celebrate PRIDE 365: Saturday, June 27 at 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. CT
- Livestream on Facebook and YouTube
Atlanta, Georgia
- Atlanta Pride: Thursday, June 25 to Saturday June 27
- Thursday, June 25: Attend socially distant vigil in memory of the countless lives lost due to police violence and brutality
- Saturday, June 27 at noon ET: Take an interior design class with Michel Boyd and Canaan Marshall
- Atlanta Pride: 50th Pride Celebration: Friday, October 9 to Sunday, October 11
Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Santa Fe Human Right Alliance’s Virtual Pride 2020: Saturday, June 27 at noon to 4 p.m. MT
Annapolis, Maryland
- Annapolis Pride Virtual Pride: Saturday, June 27 at 4 p.m. ET
- Livestream on Facebook and YouTube
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Digital Drag Brunch: Saturday, June 27 at noon to 1 p.m. ET
- Philly Pride Virtual Pride:
Washington, D.C.
- Capital Pride in the City: Sunday, June 28 at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET
- Livestream on YouTube
Nashville, Tennessee
- Concert for Love & Acceptance: Tuesday, June 30 at 7 p.m. ET / Red Carpet Countdown at 5:30 p.m. ET
- Nashville Pride at Home: Fridays in June at 9 p.m. ET
Boston, Massachusetts
- 50 Years of Boston Pride #WickedProud: June & July
- Boston Pride Pride Lights Virtual Ceremony: Rewatch on YouTube
- Boston Pride’s Guide to Allyship
Phoenix, Arizona
- Virtual Arizona Pride: Rewatch on Facebook
- Phoenix Pride Festival & Parade: Saturday, November 7 to Sunday, November 8, 2020
United States LGBTQ+ Destination Guides
When you feel ready to travel again, check out our LGBTQIA+ Travel Guides.
San Diego, California
Orlando, Florida
Washington, D.C.
Portland, Oregon
Seattle, Washington
What is Expedia doing to support the LGBTQIA+ Community?
Over the past decade, our parent company Expedia Group has been committed to the LGBTQIA community through:
- Our Inclusion Business Group, Pride, has 1,057 members in 15 countries across 22 chapters
- Growing and innovating our LGBTQIA policies, and launching industry-leading transgender healthcare benefits for US employees and offering global gender-neutral parental leave
- Supporting public policy commitments to LGBTQIA rights by sponsoring/signing the US Equality Act and UN Standards of Conduct for Business, joining the Washington Won’t Discriminate business coalition, and supporting the Amicus Brief against HB2
- Partnering with International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) to expand LGBT+ welcoming hotel inventory within our portfolio
- Creating resources for our customers to access LGBTQ-Welcoming hotel inventory via Expedia LGBT Destinations and LGBTQIA-Friendly Travel Blogs
- This year EG received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index
Which digital event will you be tuning into this Pride?
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