It will be the 55th anniversary in June of the Stonewall uprising in New York, a series of rebellions among LGBTQ+ protesters against police treatment and harassment. The anniversary is why June is celebrated as Pride Month.
More than a half-century later, however, members of the LGBTQ+ community are still fighting for inclusion and equal treatment. The American Civil Liberties Union, as of May 21, is tracking more than 500 anti-LGBTQ laws that would, for example, ban transgender healthcare. The concerns, particularly in this busy election year, make recognizing Pride Month more special.
Here’s a list of some of the activities in Hampton Roads. Prices listed are for adults, but a few events offer discounts for older people. Events are subject to change.
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch”: Rouge Theater Pride Night. 7:30 p.m. Friday. 37th and Zen, 1083 37th St, Norfolk. Tickets start at $25; rougeva.org.
Pride Kick-off at MJ’s Tavern. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Games, live drag shows, entertainment. Free. 4019 Granby St., Norfolk. mjstavern.com
Portsmouth Pride. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Music, entertainment, kids’ activities, dog play area. Free. Festival Park, next to Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion, 16 Crawford Circle, Portsmouth. portsmouthprideva.com
I Am What I Am Pride Festival. 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Live entertainment; part of the proceeds go to Hampton Roads Pride. Tradition Brewing Co. 700 Thimble Shoals Blvd., Newport News.
Sharks After Dark. 6 to 9 p.m. June 6. Adults 21 and older only. Virginia Aquarium, 717 General Booth Blvd., Virginia Beach. Tickets start at $29.95. Members, free. Discounts available. virginiaaquarium.com
Rainbow Circus at the Chrysler Museum of Art. 6 to 9 p.m. June 7. A circus-themed night with aerialists, carnival games, music, dancing and art. Free. 1 Memorial Place, Norfolk.
Phabulous Phoebus Street Festival. Noon to 6 p.m. June 8. Live music; beer and food vendors. Free. 207 E. Mellen St., Hampton.
Pride in the ‘Peake. Noon to 5 p.m. June 9. Family-focused with live music, face painting and other children’s activities. Free. Summit Pointe, 580 Belaire Ave., Chesapeake. prideinthepeake.org
Pride at Harbor Park. 6:35 p.m. June 12. Harbor Park, 150 Park Ave., Norfolk. Tickets, $16. milb.com/Norfolk
Pride Night at the Virginia Zoo. 5 to 8 p.m. June 15. Music, exhibits and a Pride-themed market. Part of proceeds go to the LGBT Life Center. 3500 Granby St., Norfolk. Tickets start at $12. virginiazoo.org.
Ghent Pride at the Palace Shops. 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. June 17. A fundraiser for organizations including the LGBT Life Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School and Hope House Foundation. Palace Shops & Station, 301 W. 21st St., Norfolk. palaceshopsghent.com
36th annual Hampton Roads Pridefest & Boat Parade. Noon to 7 p.m. June 22. Live entertainment including headliners Todrick Hall and Mariah Counts. Family zone with games and activities, food vendors and more. Town Point Park, Waterside Drive, Norfolk. hamptonroadspride.org
11th annual Pride Block Party “Camp Pride.” 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. June 21. Adults 18 and older. Celebrating the spirit of the Met Gala and ballroom culture. Music, dance-offs and more. The NorVa, 317 Monticello Ave., Norfolk. Tickets start at $20. thenorva.com.
Fourth annual Pride at the Beach. 2 to 10 p.m. June 23. Live entertainment, food trucks, DJ sets. Free. Neptune’s Park, 3001 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach. hamptonroadspride.org
Pride Night — Virginia Beach United. 7 p.m. June 26. Virginia Beach Sportsplex Stadium, 2181 Landstown Road, Virginia Beach. Tickets start at $10. vbunited.com.
Suffolk Pride Festival. Noon June 30. Bennetts Creek Park, 3000 Bennetts Creek Park Road, Suffolk. On Facebook, Suffolkprideva.
