Philly is gearing up to celebrate Pride Month in high spirits with a slate of events that include everything from drag shows to the annual parade, according to officials. In what's being billed as a banner year for LGBTQ celebrations in the City of Brotherly Love, the official kickoff at the Sofitel Philadelphia set the tone with a flag-raising ceremony and a sneak peek into the month's festivities. Philadelphia's Pride Month looks to embrace diversity and inclusion, unfurling a record-breaking 400-foot flag that signifies the city's commitment to all of its people. "It's signal that Philadelphia is a place that's inclusive, that lifts up all of its residents and anyone else who wants to come here and join and be part of the love that Philadelphia brings forward," Tyrell Brown, executive director of Philly Pride 365 and GALAEI, told CBS News Philadelphia.
The Franklin Institute is joining the celebration, transforming itself into a hub of LGBTQ culture with Science After Hours: Summer Ball. Scheduled for the eve of June, this over-21 shindig will merge drag performances, ballroom dancing lessons, and science in a revelry aimed to kick off Pride Month with a bang. The Institute teamed up with GALAEI, a queer Latinx social justice organization, to bring to life an event where guests are encouraged to unfurl their rainbow flags and literally to dance the night away. NBC Philadelphia reports that festivities will feature a show by local drag queen Eric Jaffe along with other entertaining acts like drag bingo.
But it's not just about the night-time glitter. Daytime events are also on the calendar, including the #LoveisLove Block Party hosted by Evil Genius Beer Company. The block party promises to fill Saturday, June 1, with six hours of beer, fun, and philanthropy, as proceeds from the event are slated to go to a major charity. "It's Saturdays here in the month of June for Pride Month," local entertainer Brittany Lynn said in a statement to CBS News Philadelphia. "Proceeds always go to a major charity."
The festivities will churn out hundreds of activities across Philly, aiming to not only entertain but also to boldly make a statement about the city's values. A heavyweight among these is the Pride Promenade, set to take place on Saturday, while one of the largest Pride marches and festivals in the country will command the streets on Sunday at 6th and Walnut, right in the heart of the city's Gayborhood. The grand march will feature a wide array of groups, floats, and voices coming together to uplift and empower the LGBTQ community. "Numerous Pride events are planned, including this year's Pride Promenade on Saturday," 6ABC reported.
