Sunday
September 11th
Drag Artist Story Hour
11:00a – 12:00p | New Haven Pride Center
Join us for a special PRIDE edition of Drag Artist Story Hour, hosted by Frizzie Borden and Ram Shackle, where we will read some of our favorite titles from the GLSEN Rainbow Library Collection, including many Lamda Award-winning books. Drag Queen Story Hour is a national movement where local drag artists read LGBTQ+ inclusive books with LGBTQ+ youth and families to provide kids with queer role models and encourage them to be their authentic selves. FREE.
Pride Kick-off Party – cancelled due to rain
3:30p | The Ninth Square
Join us as we kick-off PRIDE New Haven in style with a block party on lower Orange Street! Enjoy sets by the fabulous DJ Chris Gallo and the genre-defying rock band Semaphora, while you explore the Ninth Square! Barcade will be offering some special deals on drinks, food, and games! FREE. CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN.
Monday
September 12th
Flag Raising Ceremony
12:00p | New Haven Green
Celebrate the start of PRIDE New Haven at our Flag Raising Ceremony with New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker along with other members of the New Haven delegation. Members of the community are invited to join us as we celebrate and promote diversity and raise Daniel Quasar’s Progress Forward Pride Flag. The flag raising ceremony will include a performance by drag artist Robin Fierce. FREE.
Panel: Youth & Politics
3:00p | Streamed live on YouTube & Facebook
Oftentimes young folks are erased from discussions concerning politics and social change. What that leads to is a continued disconnection between policymakers and the folks on the ground who live out the direct result of their often inept decisions. Join us for a panel discussion that centers the lived experiences of young people and their expert solutions on the very topics that are important to all people, no matter if they can vote or not.
Taste of Queer New Haven: Tavern on State
**Postponed until October; new date TBA**
Tavern on State
Join us for an evening of culinary art with lesbian chef and Tavern on State owner Emily Mingrone. Enjoy a family-style four-course dinner celebrating local ingredients. Guests will be able to sample several different dishes each course, paired with either wine, beer, cocktails, or non-alcoholic beverages. Click here for the full menu.
Tickets are $160 and include tax, tip, and a small donation to the New Haven Pride Center. Purchase tickets here.
Art Exhibit: illustration
7:00 – 8:30p | New Haven Pride Center
Join us for a celebration of print history from around the world from ancient times to the modern era. Explore the storytelling power of illustration in this unique exhibit featuring the works of three queer Connecticut artists: Julia and Katie Slaughter and Riley Samuels. This exhibition, curated by Center Deputy Director Juancarlos Soto, runs through October 6th.
FREE Event!
Tuesday
September 13th
Panel: Black Queer Feminism
12:00p | Streamed live on Facebook & YouTube
This in-depth panel and discussion centers Black queer feminist voices throughout Connecticut. We will discuss BQF with a focus on Connecticut, the drawbacks and advantages of living in Connecticut, and the intersections between race, patriarchy, religion, small business ownership, healing, social justice organizing, and so much more. Our panelists will provide a wealth of information, as they represent some amazing intersections of Black queer feminism, from small business ownership to healing and social justice organizing. Panelists and moderator to be announced. FREE.
Panel: Queer & Disabled Pt. 2
**Postponed; date TBA**
3:00p | Streamed live on Facebook & YouTube
One of the most marginalized sub-groups within the LGBTQ+ community is queer individuals with disabilities. Because of the historically underground nature of the LGBTQ+ community, a large number of our gathering spaces, events, and activities remain inaccessible. What does this mean for disabled LGBTQ+ individuals who want to access our community’s support, resources, or art? How does one connect with a community if they can rarely be a part of it? Hear from advocates and individuals with lived experiences as we strategize together about how we change this. Panelists and moderator to be announced. FREE.
Taste of Queer New Haven: Blue Orchid
6:30 – 8:30p | Blue Orchid (130 Court St.)
Join us for an evening of culinary art with gay chef and Blue Orchid owner Natthawut “Kyu” Tipjak. Enjoy a family-style dinner of pan-Asian delights that celebrate the history and culture of our chef, including cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. Click here for the menu.
Tickets are $50 and include tax and gratuity. Purchase tickets here.
Keynote: Pedro Julio Serrano
7:00 – 8:30p (doors open at 6:30p) | Bregamos Community Theater (491 Blatchley Ave.)
Pedro Julio Serrano is an internationally recognized boricua and gay human rights activist. He was the first openly gay and HIV+ political candidate in Puerto Rican history. Continuing our Queer & Puerto Rican series, join us for a special conversation with Pedro, president of Puerto Rico Para Todes, a non-profit LGBTQ+ social justice advocacy organization, as we discuss being a queer, HIV-positive activist in Puerto Rico and the state of the current climate in Puerto Rico. This program will be moderated by Pride Center Deputy Director Juancarlos Soto. FREE.
Wednesday
September 14th
Panel: Queer Responsibility: Be Anti-Racist
12:00p | Streamed live on YouTube and Facebook
Those of us within the LGBTQ+ community experience oppression on a consistent basis. Activism within our community looks like fighting for our liberties while healing from the trauma of having them consistently stripped away. As we strengthen and heal as a community, our job is to understand what equity is and how to obtain it for non-white LGBTQ+ individuals who are impacted by systemic racism in addition to anti-queer sentiment. In this conversation, join us as we discuss ways to be active participants in the fight for queer racial equity. FREE.
Panel: Fat Is Not A Bad Word
3:00p | Streamed live on YouTube and Facebook
Fatness: What once was revered as a sign of wealth and prosperity is now something we are taught to be ashamed of. However, for as long as people in larger bodies have been discriminated against, they have also fought back. From the 1967 Central Park “Fat-In” demonstration to the public figures who are unapologetically owning and loving their bodies, the movement still lives on today. What caused the societal shift towards the hatred of fat bodies? Where does the ideal body image come from? And how do we dismantle the Eurocentric standards of beauty that are so globally prevalent? Join us for a conversation with some of the body positive activists that are working towards a world that holds space for all kinds of bodies. FREE.
Drag on the Edge
7:00 – 9:00p (doors open at 6:00p) | Gotham Citi (84 Orange Street)
Drag on the Edge celebrates Connecticut drag artists whose art exists outside of the boxes of mainstream drag. Featuring performances by Chai, Midnight, Ambrosia Black, Ill Ell, Paxx Headroom, Iridessa Søul LaFlare, Rory Roux Lay, Ram Shackle, Giri Spades, and Glass Staine and hosted by Maddelynn Hatter from The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, this explosive show highlights the subversive and expansive nature of drag as an artform.
$20 Tickets in advance / $25 Day-of Tickets
Purchase tickets here.
Thursday
September 15th
Panel: Queer Geek Culture
12:00p | Streamed live on YouTube & Facebook
The connection between the queer community and geek/nerd culture is undeniable. From TikTok trends and streaming platforms to gaming and cosplay, queer folks often connect with each other and build community over the internet and at conventions. Join us for a panel that explores the power of these connections, and learn how and why queer folks find sanctuary and creative inspiration in nerd/geek culture. This panel will include perspectives from Akira AK, Luna Gemini, and Mia E Z’Lay. FREE.
Panel: Queer Elders
3:00p | Streamed live on YouTube & Facebook
Our queer elders have so much to offer our community, but are too often left out of the conversation. Join us as we talk with a few of our local elders to hear about their experiences growing up, the ongoing fight for our community, and their hopes for the future. Panelists and moderator to be announced. FREE.
Concert: pink navel & Indigaux
Doors open at 7:00p; Show starts at 8:00p | The State House
Join us for a concert featuring nonbinary rappers pink navel and Indigaux. A self-proclaimed Nintendo and Disney collector, navel blends the carefree cadence of cartoons with introspective lyrics on gender identity and mental health. Black nonbinary rapper and Punq Noire festival founder Indigaux brings an experimental lens to the rap genre for a high-energy show you don’t want to miss!
$20 Tickets in Advance / $25 Day of Tickets
Purchase tickets here.
Friday
September 16th
Panel: Rainbow Capitalism
12:00p | Live on YouTube & Facebook
In recent years, we’ve been hearing a lot of talk about “Rainbow Capitalism.” This topic of conversation typically happens around June during Pride month, but what exactly is Rainbow Capitalism and what does it have to do with the LGBTQ+ community? Join us for a panel where we’ll be answering this exact question and critiquing facets of our society that exploit queer culture. Panelists and moderator to be announced. FREE.
Panel: Transbians
3:00p | Live on YouTube & Facebook
Transphobia has permeated lesbian communities for as long as lesbians and trans women have existed, and we see examples of this in media, culture, and history. Transfemme lesbians are sometimes not aware they can exist because society has yet to dissect the delicate line between gender and sexuality. We do, however, understand that there is strength in numbers and that finding community is healing. In this panel discussion, we’ll be speaking with transfemme lesbians on their life experience as a marginalized group while arguing that exclusion is indeed harmful. Our hope is to cultivate an inviting space for folks to listen, learn, and share. Panelists and moderator to be announced. FREE.
Mx. PRIDE New Haven Pageant
10:00p – 1:00a | Partner’s Cafe
We are looking for drag artists, divas, go-go dancers, burlesque performers, activists, and everyone in between to compete in the 6th Annual PRIDE New Haven Pageant! Competitors will compete in three different categories (talent, interview, and fashion) to win our amazing prize package and the title of Mx. PRIDE New Haven. Who is going to take the crown? This year’s pageant will be hosted by Miss Gay New Haven 2018 Mia E Z’Lay and will be judged by Miss Gay New Haven 2019 Mz October May-Lay and Empress 22 of Connecticut Miss Frank Borrelli. FREE.
Saturday
September 17th
PRIDEfest
12:00 – 7:00p | New Haven Green
At PRIDEfest, hours of LGBTQ+ entertainment and family fun await you on the NEW HAVEN GREEN. Hosted by Miz October May Lay and Crystal Starz, enjoy family activities, live music, drag performances, street artists, food vendors, info booths, and so much more! FREE.
Burlesque Extravaganza
8:00 – 10:00p (doors open at 7:00p) | 168 York Street Cafe
Featuring a powerhouse cast of burlesque artists from throughout the tri-state area, Burlesque Night Out is a celebration of femininity and queer bodies in a safe and fun environment. Burlesque Night Out will be hosted by Connecticut Burlesque Legend and Operalesque performer Dot Mitzvah and will feature performances by Harley Foxx, Miss Cherry Jackson, Kendall Marie, and Leona Star.
$20 Tickets in advance / $25 Day-of
Purchase tickets here.
PRIDEfest After Party
9:00p | Gotham Citi
Don’t miss one of the biggest dance parties of the year! Hosted by Casey Fitzpatrick, the evening includes incredible live performances, special guest appearances, dancing, and a whole lot of fun. Pay cover at the door.
Sunday
September 18th
PRIDE Drag Brunch
12:00 – 2:00p (doors open at 11:00a) | Te Amo Tequila (182 Temple Street)
Join us for a hair flippin’, heel kickin’ Drag Brunch at local lesbian-owned bar and restaurant, Te Amo Tequila! This show will feature an incredible roster of entertainers including Astra S’Lay, Summer Haze, Lucia Virginity, Klitz Jenner, and Casey Fitzpatrick and will be hosted by local drag legend, Kiki Lucia, with music by DJ Edgewood.
There are no tickets to this event, although a $10 per person charge will be added to your final bill. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made here.
Tea Dance
4:00 – 7:00p | 168 York Street Cafe
Closing our PRIDE New Haven, as always, is the PRIDE Tea Dance. Join us for an afternoon of socializing, music, and dancing at New Haven’s oldest LGBTQ+ establishment. With both indoor and outdoor patio space, 168 York Street (formerly The Pub) is a homey end to a week of celebration and fun. Throughout the afternoon, enjoy the DJ stylings of NEUBODY, a queer New Haven based DJ collective. $5 cover.