Pride Month in Chicago will look a little different this year
Mon. June 1, 2020 8:58 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
betty who performs chicago pride fest 2019
photo credit // steven koch
June celebrations will have a new-look as events, including the annual Pride Parade, have been postponed or canceled
Pride Month begins Monday, but the festivities throughout Chicago won't be anything close to what we're accustomed to due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"With or without a pandemic, June remains Pride Month, a special time of celebration to think about our remarkable communities, the sacrifices we have made, the victories we have won, the ways we have contributed to our city and state," Sidetrack co-owner Art Johnston told GoPride.com.
June is traditionally filled with Pride-related events, including Chicago Pride Fest and Pride in the Park, culminating with the annual Chicago Pride Parade on the last Sunday of the month. All have been canceled due to the pandemic.
This marks the first time that the parade has been postponed or canceled in its 50-year history.
Organizers of Chicago Pride Fest have announced a virtual celebration for June 20 - 21, the original dates of the annual festival. The streaming Twitch event from 7 - 9 p.m. will feature a line-up of entertainment, activism and special greetings. Additional details to be announced.
“Right now our focus is all about planning a Pride celebration for the digital ages,” said Northalsted Business Alliance President Ramesh Ariyanayakam. “We know this virtual festival will bring much-needed connection and hope to our community and beyond and are thrilled to produce this event.”
PRIDEChicago, which organizes the annual Pride Parade, announced a postponement in the hope that conditions will allow the parade to take place later this summer or early fall.
"We hope that there will be a possibility to re-schedule. However, If that is not possible, we know that the Pride Parade will be back in 2021 and for years to come,” said organizer Tim Fyre.
Related: Pride special on ABC 7 to celebrate Chicago's LGBTQ community, June 28
Since the New York Stonewall riots in 1969, and the first Pride celebrations that followed, a multitude of events have emerged around the world to celebrate the LGBTQ communities throughout the month of June.
This year, nearly 500 Pride events have been cancelled or postponed amid the coronarvirus pandemic, according to the European Pride Organizers Association's global list.
Photos: 2019 Chicago Pride Fest and Chicago Pride Parade
"With or without a pandemic, June remains Pride Month, a special time of celebration to think about our remarkable communities, the sacrifices we have made, the victories we have won, the ways we have contributed to our city and state," Sidetrack co-owner Art Johnston told GoPride.com.
June is traditionally filled with Pride-related events, including Chicago Pride Fest and Pride in the Park, culminating with the annual Chicago Pride Parade on the last Sunday of the month. All have been canceled due to the pandemic.
This marks the first time that the parade has been postponed or canceled in its 50-year history.
Organizers of Chicago Pride Fest have announced a virtual celebration for June 20 - 21, the original dates of the annual festival. The streaming Twitch event from 7 - 9 p.m. will feature a line-up of entertainment, activism and special greetings. Additional details to be announced.
“Right now our focus is all about planning a Pride celebration for the digital ages,” said Northalsted Business Alliance President Ramesh Ariyanayakam. “We know this virtual festival will bring much-needed connection and hope to our community and beyond and are thrilled to produce this event.”
PRIDEChicago, which organizes the annual Pride Parade, announced a postponement in the hope that conditions will allow the parade to take place later this summer or early fall.
"We hope that there will be a possibility to re-schedule. However, If that is not possible, we know that the Pride Parade will be back in 2021 and for years to come,” said organizer Tim Fyre.
Related: Pride special on ABC 7 to celebrate Chicago's LGBTQ community, June 28
Since the New York Stonewall riots in 1969, and the first Pride celebrations that followed, a multitude of events have emerged around the world to celebrate the LGBTQ communities throughout the month of June.
This year, nearly 500 Pride events have been cancelled or postponed amid the coronarvirus pandemic, according to the European Pride Organizers Association's global list.
Photos: 2019 Chicago Pride Fest and Chicago Pride Parade