Pride 2021 What To Do

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With Pride slated to be returning in person this summer, it’s time to start planning which events you’ll be attending.

We all know that Pride began as—and continues to be—much more than a celebration. Rather, it’s a protest. A protest against the oppression faced not only by the LGBTQ+ community but by people of color, folks with disabilities, immigrants, people experiencing poverty or homelessness, and anyone whose rights are threatened. 

Born out of the Stonewall riots, Pride events are strongly tied to the fight against police brutality. Particularly this year, an emphasis will be placed on the fight for racial justice, shedding light on the recent police killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ma’Khia Bryant, Daunte Wright, Adam Toledo, and far too many others.

The LGBTQ+ rights movement would be nothing without the Black and trans leaders who have fought ruthlessly for the progress that we’ve made thus far. But in a year where we’ve faced the most anti-LGBTQ+ bills in U.S. history, we unfortunately still have a long way to go.

As we keep all of these tragedies in mind, let’s spend Twin Cities Pride 2021 honoring the lives that we’ve lost, the lives that have been stolen by police, and the lives that we are fortunate to continue living. This one’s for all of us!

Here are some of this year’s Pride events:

Grand Marshal MASKqueerade 

On June, 17, there will be some amazing entertainment and the announcement of the 2021 Co-Grand Marshals, MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm, and ASL interpreter Nic Zapko. Twin Cities Pride will also be honoring two former Pride volunteer staff members posthumously with the Community Champion of Pride Awards. Since there are no plans for a parade at this time, the winners will be part of the 2022 parade. Guests will receive a gift bag filled with items from sponsors, including rainbow pucks from the MN Wild. There will also be a Silent Auction at this fundraiser. Volunteers are welcome – they’ll need 4-5 people at both the Amsterdam in St Paul and the Granada in Minneapolis.

 

Family Fun Day

This event will take place on June 20 at Como Park East Pavilions, and features free hotdogs, chips, cookies, and beverages. Sponsors will bring games for kids and Nordy, Prowl, Crunch, and TC Bear will be coming by to say hello to attendees and take some pictures. Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve food and help organize the photo op queue.

 


5k Rainbow Run 

The event will take place on June 27, and runners can select to participate in person or virtually. This year, the run will start and end at Boom Island in Minneapolis and will be on parkways. Several sponsors will host tables with giveaways at the end of the run. Volunteers are needed to help with same-day registration and t-shirt distribution.

 

Pride Festival 

This year’s festival will be July 17-18 in Loring Park in Minneapolis. To lessen crowding, they have removed about 100 booth spaces and are focusing on recruiting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ vendors and exhibitors. General registration is open now. They will be hosting vaccination clinics at the Festival this year, along with approximately 300 other booths. There will not be a Saturday night concert or fireworks this year, but they will have three stages of live music throughout the weekend. Volunteers are needed Friday – Sunday.

 

To volunteer, please email [email protected] to connect with Becky, our volunteer manager. For updated festival event info, visit www.tcpride.org.

 

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