CINCINNATI — This June, Cincinnati celebrates 50 years of organized Pride events. They've taken many different forms through the decades, but the celebrations stay rooted in the fight for equality and fairness.
At a time when LGBTQ+ people are at the center of culture wars - and targets of restrictive new laws - in all three Tri-State capitols, at least one local community is throwing its first Pride event.
Why do we recognize Pride?
Pride's roots trace back to a gay bar raid in New York City, but when it comes to LGBTQ+ history, Cincinnati has played a leading role.
The first recognized Pride march took place in New York City on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, according to the Library of Congress. It only took a few years for the movement to reach the Queen City when Cincinnati held its first Pride celebration on Fountain Square in 1973.
You can learn more about Pride history — and issues still facing the LGBTQ+ community — by watching WCPO's 2021 special "It's About Pride," in the video player above.
Below is a schedule of some of the major events happening this month across our area. You can find many more community events here.
Thursday, June 1
Inclusive Pride Flag Raising - Cincinnati City Hall - 10 a.m.
Pride Flag Raising - Hamilton County Courthouse - 11 a.m.
Saturday, June 3
Hamilton Pride - March at 11 a.m. at Rotary Park, Festival and Concert starts at noon at Marcum Park
Augusta Pride - August Boat Dock on Hamilton Avenue - 1 p.m. - first-time event
Hillsboro PRIDE - Liberty Park - 3 p.m.
FC Cincinnati Pride Night - TQL Stadium - 7:30 p.m. - benefits Cincinnati Black Pride
Sunday June 4
NKY Pride - Parade starts on Madison Avenue and Festival is in Goebel Park - 1 p.m.
Saturday June 10
Madeira Pride Picnic - Dawson Avenue - 3 p.m.
Westwood Works Second Saturday: PRIDE - Westwood Town Hall - 5 p.m.
Pride Night at the Cincinnati Observatory - Cincinnati Observatory - 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 11
Lawrenceburg Pride - Dearborn County Fairgrounds - 1 p.m.
Wednesday, June 14
Black Wellness is Black Pride: A Town Hall - Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio - 6 p.m.
Thursday, June 15
The Black Alphabet Film Festival - Esquire Theater - 5 p.m.
Friday, June 16
Cincinnati Black Pride Vizazi Awards - PAR-Project - 6 p.m.
Cincinnati Ballet Pride Night: Bold Moves - Aronoff Center - 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 17
New Richmond Pride - Front Street - 11 a.m.
Batesville Pride- Liberty Park - Noon
Friday, June 23
Middletown PRIDE Festival - Downtown Middletown - 5 p.m.
Saturday, June 24
Cincinnati Pride - Parade starts downtown at 11 a.m., Festival is at Sawyer Point at Noon
Are we missing an event? Let us know and send a note to newsdesk@wcpo.com
