Tue. June 8, 2021
October—LGBTQ History Month—will serve as a second Pride month in Chicago due to the effects of pandemic precautions.
Chicago Pride Fest organizers confirmed to GoPride.com that Friday, October 1 and Saturday, October 2 will in fact be the official return of the 20th annual festival—as reported previously.
“Northalsted celebrates Pride year-round, and the fall festival will be no less extravagant and celebratory,” said Ramesh Ariyanayakam, president of the Northalsted Business Alliance (NHBA).
The two-day community Pride celebration in what is popularly called 'Boystown' will lead up to the Pride parade on Sunday, October 3.
The chamber of commerce would like more people to call the neighborhood 'Northalsted.'
Chicago Pride Fest has in the past taken place the weekend before the parade.
This will be the second year both events will miss their June dates.
In 2020, the parade and festival were replaced by televised and live-streamed 'virtual' celebrations as the pandemic shut down such events across the nation—and the world.
With the postponement of Pride month events, a number of suburban events are still on tap for June.
Additionally, organizers of Pride in the Park announced their two-day outdoor festival will return to Grant Park on Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27—with limited capacity.
Performer lineup and schedule details for Chicago Pride Fest will be announced later.
A $15 recommended donation for entry helps cover festival costs, support local charities, and fund community programming.
Generous public donations paid for Chicago Pride crosswalks installed in 2019.
14 rainbow Pride flag-inspired intersections were fitted throughout the LGBTQ neighborhood enclave.
NHBA previously announced the 2021 Market Days would return August 6-8, adding a Friday night edition, the first in its 38-year history.
October is LGBT History Month
LGBT History Month was created in 1994 by Rodney Wilson, a high school history teacher in Missouri.
In 1995, a resolution passed by the General Assembly of the National Education Association (NEA) included LGBTQ History Month within a list of commemorative months.
October was selected to coincide with National Coming Out Day traditionally observed on October 11)—and the anniversary of the first march on Washington, D.C. for LGBTQ rights in 1979.
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Head to the local LGBTQ news, events, directory and people network at ChicagoPride.com