Members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies come together every June to celebrate Pride Month across the country. It is a time meant to celebrate community and raise awareness about LGBTQ-related issues.
Each place celebrates uniquely. Kentucky often hosts festivals, drag performances, parades, food and drink events, tables and more.
Here’s how you can celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community locally:
Lexington Pride Festival
WHAT: The official annual Lexington Pride Festival features entertainment, activities, local booths and vendors.
Jeremy Ellis, the festival chairman, said this is a great opportunity for first-time visitors to the pride festival.
He said he is looking forward to bringing attention to the drag community.
“Because of all the commotion and everything that was happening in Frankfort and across the country with drag, we decided to really highlight our local drag community and national artists this year,” Ellis said.
WHERE: Central Bank Center
WHEN: June 29, 11am to 9pm
COST: General admission is $10 for ages 18+. The festival is free for young people under the age of 18.
MORE INFORMATION: Visit the Lexington Pride Festival website. Buy tickets here.
Kentuckiana Pride Festival
WHAT: The Kentuckiana Pride Festival, headlined by Chappell Roan, is one of Kentucky’s largest Pride Month events.
The festival starts with a parade and features music, drag performers, vendors and family activities with a special section for children.
WHERE: Big Four Lawn in Louisville, Kentucky. The parade starts on the NULU site and ends on the festival site.
WHEN: June 15, 12-10 p.m
COST: General admission is $10
MORE INFORMATION: Visit kypride.com. Buy tickets here.
Lexington Pride Restaurant Week
WHAT: Several participating restaurants are offering specials for Pride Month.
“Bring your friends, family and loved ones to enjoy fantastic food, a vibrant community atmosphere and an opportunity to make a difference. Let’s celebrate diversity and pride together as we indulge in culinary delights,” according to the Lexington Pride Festival website.
WHERE: Multiple locations are listed here.
WHEN: June 7-15
COST: Varies
MORE INFORMATION: lexpridefest.org
LexPride ride 2024
WHAT: A pride-themed CycleBar ride, with a portion of the proceeds donated to a local pride organization.
WHERE: CycleBar Patching Square
WHEN: June 16, 12:00 – 1:15 p.m
COST: Flexible donation amount.
MORE INFORMATION: Register here.
LexLez Pride addition
WHAT: A monthly sapphic celebration. Lussi Brown Coffee Bar, Crossings and sidebargrillex will host pop-up guest BurLex, a burlesque collective.
According to the Lexington Pride website, Burlex will sell merchandise in the back of the Lussi Brown Coffee Bar and charge a cover at Crossings.
“We love BurLex being part of this monthly event and they deserve to get paid! The money raised at the door goes directly to the artists,” the website says. “The cover will also help with crowd control at Crossings – we know it’s getting a bit packed there.”
WHERE: Multiple locations.
WHEN: June 13, 7 – 8:20 PM
COST: There is a $5 cover charge for crossings.
MORE INFORMATION: lexpridefest.org
Afterparty of the Lexington Pride Festival
WHAT: A continuation of the festival festivities with room for activities, drinks and food. Visitors can sign up for ax throwing, drag shows, bowling and more.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Lexington Pride Center.
WHERE: Battle axes
WHEN: 12 – 9 p.m
COST: There is no cover for the party, but activities are priced individually.
MORE INFORMATION: Contact the Lexington Pride Center here. Event information will be posted on the Lexington Pride website.
