It’s June, and you know what that means. Indy Pride is back, and there’s no better time to celebrate and commemorate the LGBTQ+ community. From festivals to fundraisers and beyond, we’ve compiled a list of all the events you won’t want to miss.
🌈 Parade and festivals
This year’s Pride Parade will fill the streets with color, music, dancing, and giveaways from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 14. Plan ahead: Sections of Mass Ave and Delaware Street will be closed for the parade, and parking garages in the area are scarce. Wear comfortable footwear and be prepared to put the bass in your walk.
This year, the pay-to-enter Pride Festival formerly held at Military Park will be replaced by two new, two-day events: “Celebration on the Circle” and “Word of Mouth.” Here’s what to expect:
- Date: Saturday, June 14 + Sunday, June 15
- Time: 12-5 p.m.
- Location: Monument Circle
- Admission: Free
- Age limit: All ages welcome, family-friendly
- Activities: Non-stop drag performances and musical entertainment, food vendors, a vendor village, community activations, a sober space, and more
- Date: Saturday, June 14 + Sunday, June 15
- Time: 2-10 p.m.
- Location: American Legion Mall
- Admission: $42+
- Age limit: All ages welcome, family-friendly
- Activities: Non-stop musical entertainment (headliners including Natasha Bedingfield and Tinashe) and drag performances (including local performers and queens from “RuPaul’s Drag Race”), food vendors, a sober space, and more
🌈 Other Pride events
- #TRANSGLAM Queeraoke Night | Friday, June 6 | 6-9 p.m. | 10 East Arts Hub | Sing your heart out in a judgment-free zone filled with new friends, laughter, and free snacks and drinks.
- Trans Pride Fest | Sunday, June 8 | 12-8:30 p.m. | 10 East Arts Hub | Enjoy a host of free resources + take-home items including gender affirming services like haircuts and makeup demos, clothing, refreshments, and testing with Damien Underground. Entertainment will be plentiful, with live DJs, yard games, an open mic, a drag show, and a community art project scheduled.
- Deaf Pride | Monday, June 9 | 7 p.m.-10 p.m. | Gregs Our Place | All are welcome to attend this event where LGBTQ+ deaf community members come together to be their authentic selves + celebrate deaf culture.
- Girl Pride | Thursday, June 12 | 7-11 p.m. | The Vogue | Celebrate the expansive identity of the femme spirit as you dance to live music from The Aces.
- Bi and Beyond | Thursday, June 26 | 7-10 p.m. | 10 East Arts Hub | Join community members for food, dancing, and shopping from local vendors.
- Community Music Night | Friday, June 27 | 6-9 p.m. | Shelton Auditorium | Enjoy inspiring, upbeat music from the Pride of Indy Bands, the Indianapolis Women’s Chorus, and the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus.
- LatinX Pride | Saturday, June 28 | 7 p.m.-2 a.m. | The Vogue | Dance the night away at this 21+ party — more details coming soon.
Mass Ave. comes alive during Pride.
Photo via @larsmillermedia
🌈 How to get involved
We love a party, but Pride is also the perfect time to give back. Celebrate by volunteering at the Indy Pride Festival or with a donation.
Here are a few other local groups that could use your support:
- Central Indiana LGBTQ+ Young Adult Group | Help create an ongoing safe space for young adults that does not revolve exclusively around drinking and nightlife.
- GenderNexus | Make a contribution to ensure that transgender, non-binary, and gender-fluid people in Indiana have access to gender-affirming health care, counseling, and a safe community.
- Indiana Youth Group | Purchase items from the group’s Amazon wishlist to support activities like game nights, gardening days, writing workshops, cooking classes, and much more.
- Shelly’s Voice | Help to teach and empower young activists by making a direct donation or volunteering to join the board of directors.
- Damien Center | Support the center’s mission of empowering those affected by HIV/AIDS + preventing the spread of HIV in our community by donating food pantry items, furniture, and silent auction items, or sign up to volunteer at an event.
- PFlag Indianapolis | PFlag is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
