Pride Month in Connecticut: festivals, concerts, exhibits, seminars, drag queens, flag raisings

Pride events happen all year, but June is especially hopping. In Connecticut, there are dozens of events to celebrate LGBTQ pride, learn about gay history and culture, or just enjoy the talents of gay icons and performers.

Here is a list of Pride events in Connecticut in June. The list is not all-inclusive.

Windsor Art Center, 40 Mechanic St., presents “Acceptance through the Ages,” an exhibit of works by members of the LGBTQ community, until June 25. On June 4 from noon to 2 p.m., Nance Lomax, a participant in the Stonewall riots, will speak. On June 11 from noon to 2 p.m., social worker Nicole Mayweather-Banks will discuss aging out of foster care for the trans community. windsorartcenter.org.

“The Art of Pride” is an exhibit at WORK_SPACE Manchester, 903 Main St., through June 30. Companion programs and events: A networking breakfast on June 2 from 8 to 9:30 a.m., presented by Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Chamber; “The Art-Blend Experience,” an evening of performance, on June 10 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.; a Rainbow Pop-Up Shop on June 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and a Drag Jamboree on June 11 from 6 to 8 p.m., starring Mia E. Z’Lay. workspacemanchester.com/

Middletown’s Pride month events will begin June 1 at 10 a.m. with a crosswalk dedication on Main Street, followed by a ceremony to raise the Pride flag at 11 a.m. at City Hall. PrideFest will be June 4 from 2 to 10 p.m., starting with a Pride March on Main Street from 2 to 4 p.m., continuing to a rally from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on the South Green, and ending at a concert from 7 to 10 p.m. on the South Green. middletownpride.org/pridefest-2022/.

The third annual West Hartford Pride will take place online and in person with events all month. On June 1, the Pride flag will be raised at 6 p.m. at Unity Green in West Hartford Center. On June 2, an all-ages-welcome kickoff party will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. at GastroPark, 637 New Park Ave. On June 9, a Pride Fun Ride will start at 5:45 p.m. in the parking lot at LaSalle and Arapahoe roads, presented by Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective and Trek Bikes. On June 10, “Tell Me Another” will take place at New Park Brewing, 485 New Park Ave., at 7:30 p.m., hosted by Terry Wolfisch Cole and starring Jamie Brickhouse. On June 17, “Laugh With Pride” will be held at New Park Brewing at 7 p.m., with Jay Elliot, Kate Sisk, Katie Arroyo, Kendra Dawsey, Peter Angelo and Quin Lamar. On June 22, a children’s art exhibit, themed “My Family,” will open at the Noah Webster Branch of West Hartford Public Library, 20 South Main St. It will be up until July 2. (Any child who wants to submit painting, poetry, drawing, photography, graphics, fiber or prints will be accepted. Visit westhartfordpride.org/pride-art-show) On June 22, a Pride Fun Run/Walk will start at 6:15 p.m. at Fleet Feet, 1003 Farmington Ave. On June 25, an “Out Loud Rally” will be held starting at 11:30 a.m. on the steps of town hall, and Isham Street in Blue Back Square will be blocked off to highlight the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community from noon to 6 p.m., with performances by Sister Funk, Carrie Ashton, Cruz Angel, Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus, Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus, Xiomarie LaBeija, Vu Tran & Miss Frank, Barbra Joan Streetsand, Ray Decorazon, Mz. October May Lay, Rory Roux Lay, Mia E Z’Lay, House of Cyanide, Kenya Mone Heart, Tatiana, Angel Rivers, Angelina Fierce, Shawnee Kish. westhartfordpride.org.

Torrington Pride Ceremony will be June 2 at 1 p.m. at City Hall, 140 Main St. facebook.com/ConnecticutVirtualPride.

Sarah Prager, author of “Kind Like Masha: Learning from LGBTQ+ Leaders,” will give a talk at Wood Memorial Library, 783 Main St. in South Windsor, on June 2 at 6 p.m. bookclubct.com.

An LGBTQIA+ Educational Community Forum and Dinner will be June 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thornton Wilder Theater, 2901 Dixwell Ave. in Hamden. Speakers include Kathryn Tierney, Tony Ferraiolo, Rev. Jack Perkins Davidson, Kelley Frassinelli, Kim Craft, Colette Kroop, Reia Massaro and Amanda Forcucci. Free. facebook.com/ConnecticutVirtualPride.

Wanda Sykes, one of the stars of “Visible: Out on Television,” will bring her standup comedy to the Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Boulevard in Mashantucket, on June 3 at 8 p.m. $38 to $58. foxwoods.com.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will be screened $12.50 on June 3 at 9 p.m. at Mystic Luxury Cinemas, 27 Coogan Blvd. Shadowcasting by RKO Army. $12.50. mysticluxurycinemas.com.

The 35th Annual Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival, presented by Out Film CT, will be June 3 to 12, with both in-person and virtual screenings of 113 short and feature-length movies at Cinestudio, on the campus of Trinity College in Hartford, Apple Cinemas on Front Street in Hartford and the Connecticut Science Center, 250 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford. Virtual features will be available from June 3 to 19. Among the films to be shown are “Mascarpone,” “Lonesome,” “Invisible,” “Sweetheart,” “Finlandia,” “Framing Agnes,” “Blessed Boys,” “The Divide,” “Lola,” “Girl Picture,” “Wildhood,” “Prognosis: Notes on Living,” “Great Freedom,” “Glob Lessons,” “Camila Comes Out Tonight,” “Seyran Ateş: Sex, Revolution & Islam,” “A Royal Secret,” “Metamorphosis,” “Maybe Someday,” “Gemmel & Tim” and “Keep the Cameras Rolling: The Pedro Zamora Way,” plus shorts programs. Tickets are $12, $10 for seniors and students. Tickets for opening night (June 3) and closing night (June 11) in-person films including post-show parties are $25, $20 for seniors and students. All-Access FestiPasses are $125, $200 for a two-person household. A five-show FestiPass is $50, $80 for a two-person household. outfilmct.org.

Ridgefield Pride in the Park will be June 4 from noon to 3 p.m. at Ballard Park, 485 Main St., with DJ, dancing, performances, lawn games, arts and crafts, information tables. raffles, Pride march, storytime. ridgefieldctpride.com.

Captain Fantastic, an Elton John tribute performer, will be at Downtown Cabaret, 263 Golden Hill St. in Bridgeport, on June 4, with shows at 5 and 8 p.m. $46. dtcab.com.

Pride Silent Disco for adults, where dancers wear individual headphones to choose their own music, will be June 4 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Triangle Community Center, 650 West Ave. in Norwalk. Free. ctpridecenter.org/event/pride-silent-disco.

Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus will perform “Singing from the Heart” on June 4 at 8 p.m. and June 5 at 3 p.m. at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St. in Hartford. $30 to $45. hgmc.org.

Kyle Farewell and Butch Queens present DJ Chris Gallo and Sabi in “The Return of the Diva Miss Longo” on June 4 at 9 p.m. at The State House, 310 State St. in New Haven. $10 to $25. eventbrite.com.

PrideFest will be June 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Burnett’s Country Gardens, 380 New London Road in Salem. Local vendors will be selling goods. facebook.com/burnettscg

Pink Eggs and Glam Drag Brunch with Patty Bourree will be June 5 with seatings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and shows at noon ans 3 p.m., at Toro Taberna, 14 Oakwood Ave. in West Hartford. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. skycasper.com/events.

The Owl Pride Party will be at The Owl Wine & Food Bar, 18 East Shore Road in New Preston, on June 5 from 2 to 6 p.m. explorewashingtonct.com.

“Pride on the Plaza” will be the Liquid Lounge Pride Month event on June 9 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Connecticut Science Center, 250 Columbus Ave. in Hartford. Drag performances by Sky Casper Entertainment. Prizes for best dressed person, best dressed group, best dressed couple, best drag. A special exhibit on view from the Connecticut Historical Society Connecticut Queer History. $16 advance online, $15 corporate member employees, $12 members and college students, $18 at the door. ctsciencecenter.org/liquid.

“Kings of B’more” Book Release with R. Eric Thomas in conversation with Versatile Poetiq, will be June 9 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the atrium at Hartford Public Library, 500 Main St. Thomas’ book tells the story of two Black queer best friends who face their last day together in Baltimore. The event is supported by Hartford Foundation’s The Equality Fund for LGBTQ+, Kamora’s Cultural Corner, the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective. The book will be for sale at Barnes and Noble UConn Hartford. hplct.org.

“Intersectionality and the Gender Continuum” is the subject of a virtual conference on June 10 from 9 to 4 p.m., presented by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in partnership with the Connecticut Women’s Consortium. AJ Eckert will discuss “Gender and Life Affirming Medicine: Providing Primary and Specialty Heath Care for Trans Patients.” Shane Pugh will discuss “LGBTQ+ and Trauma Basics.” Richard Stillson will discuss “The Importance of Family Acceptance in the Lives of LGBTQIA2+ People.” Raquel Willis will discuss “Fighting for Black Trans Liberation in the Current Era.” Free. womensconsortium.configio.com.

Celebrate Pride! will be June 10 starting at 7 p.m. at Betsy Paterson Square, 2 Dog Lane in Storrs. Booths with local LGBTQ+ organizations, music, trivia games, selfie stations, free flags and pronoun pins, UConn Dairy Bar ice cream for sale, tie-dye Pride shirts, drag queen story time at 8 p.m. and a screening of “Love, Simon” at dark. Free. facebook.com/DowntownStorrs.

Queer Science is an all-day event for queer and trans teens to meet LGBTQ+ scientists and engineers, on June 11 at UConn in Storrs, presented by the Vergnano Institute for Inclusion and the Rainbow Center. Free. Breakfast and lunch provided. Register by May 28 at inclusion.engr.uconn.edu/queer-science-2/.

Cher the Waffles: Pride Drag Brunch with Summer Orlando, Barbra Joan Streetsand and Chastity Singer will be June 11 at noon at Main Street Pint and Plate, 182 Main St. in Bristol. $50 admission includes show, mimosa or bloody mary and brunch. eventbrite.com/e/cher-the-waffles-pride-drag-brunch-tickets-294911015787.

A Pups and Pride Parade will be June 11. Meet at The Canton Dog Park, 79 Commerce Drive, at 10:30 a.m. to march on the Farmington Valley River Trail to The Shops at Farmington Valley, 110 Albany Turnpike in Canton. Local artists will show their work, digital art display, kids activities. Proceeds from art sales will benefit Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective. theshopsatfarmingtonvalley.com/event/farmington-valley-pride-pups-and-pride-parade

Tolland’s 2nd annual Pride in the Park will be June 11 from noon to 6 p.m. in Crandall Park. Food, music, games and prizes. facebook.com/groups/703785466710711

Fairfield County’s Pride in the Park, presented by Triangle Community Center, will be June 11 from noon to 9 p.m. at Mathews Park, 295 West Ave. in Norwalk. Craft vendors, food, local agencies and organizations, parade and after-party. pinkuk.com/events/north-america/usa/connecticut/norwalk/fairfield-county-pride-2022

Connecticut Pride Party will be June 11 from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Troupe 429, 3 Wall St. in Norwalk. Evening will benefit Waves Ahead, the LGBT Center of Puerto Rico. Tea dance, night party, complementary tastings, photo booth, art exhibit, prizes, giveaways, drag shows by April Carrión from Drag Race!, Sienna Rose, Angelina Fierce and music by DJ OMG Yaaas Kween. Admission varies with level of donation. troupe429.com

Priam Vineyards, 11 Shailor Hill Road in Colchester, hosts Pride Fest Weekend on June 11 and 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Food trucks, music, performances, crafters, vendors. Free admission. facebook.com/PriamVineyards/events.

Darien Pride Month Celebration will be June 12 starting at noon in Tilley Pond Park, 38 West Ave. Music, speakers, food, live entertainment, vendors. allevents.in

Sea Queens Drag and Disco, a summer-long bi-weekly show, will be performed June 12 and 26 at Port of Call, a nautical-themed cocktail lounge at 15 Water St. in Mystic. The show includes one craft cocktail, two small plates, the show and an after-party at the Dive disco downstairs. The shows are at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. The disco party starts at 10:30 p.m. Admission is $85. Additional drinks and food can be purchased. theportofcallct.com.

Lavender Lit Book Club, a monthly gathering featuring books by LGBTQ+ women and femmes, will discuss Sharon Lee De La Cruz’s “I’m A Wild Seed” on June 15 at 6 p.m. at New Haven Pride Center, 84 Orange St. Virtual attendance is also offered. Also, a discussion with De La Cruz on June 23 at 6:30 p.m. Free. newhavenpridecenter.org/lavender-lit-book-club.

Pride Cabaret Night will be June 17 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road. Music, performing arts, comedy by LGBTQ+ local talents. Free. westportlibrary.org/event/pride-cabaret-night.

Pride Night with Sister Funk and the Carrie Ashton Band will be June 17 from 8 to 11 p.m. at Crystal Bees, 240 Spring St. in Southington. Bowling, arcade games, food. $10. crystalbees.com.

Hamden Pride will be at Town Center Park, 2761 Dixwell Ave., on June 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Family-friendly event will have face painting, a bounce house, a DJ, craft vendors, food trucks and a performance by Carrie Ashton. Rain or shine. facebook.com/hamdenpride.

Pride Parade of Sail, a boating event, will be June 18 from noon to 6 p.m. at Norwalk Harbor, with boats sailing past Calf Pasture Beach and Veteran’s Park, ending at Sheffield Island for a lobster bake social. The lobster bake is $85, a two-way ferry ticket and lobster bake is $125. It is free to register a boat. ctpridecenter.org/event/pride-parade-of-sail-2/.

A Pride Bar Crawl will be held in Stamford on June 18 from 4 p.m. to midnight. Check in at Casey’s Tavern, 85 Woodside St., from 4 to 6 p.m. After-party starts at 10 p.m. at Tiernan’s Bar & Restaurant, 187 Main St. $10 to $15. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Trevor Project. eventbrite.com.

The 27th annual Queer Prom for high school students, whose theme is “Once Upon a Time,” will be June 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. at West Hartford Town Hall, 50 S. Main St., presented by Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective. Admission is $20 but nobody will be turned away for inability to pay. linktr.ee/hglhc.

Isaac Mizrahi’s Cabaret Show, where the fashion designer-entertainer performs hits from Barbra Streisand, Billie Eilish, Madonna and others, will be June 18 at 8 p.m. at Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge. $45 to $55. ridgefieldplayhouse.org/event/isaac-mizrahi.

A screening of “Cured,” a documentary about the American Psychiatric Association’s 1973 decision to remove homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses, will be June 20 at 7:30 p.m, at Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge. Free. ridgefieldplayhouse.org/event/cured.

Mindful Pride, a online course on love and self-acceptance in the LGBTQIA+ community, will be June 22 from 6:30 to 9 p.m., presented by Copper Beech Institute of West Hartford. Admission is free courtesy of the Leonard Litz LGBTQ Foundation. Speakers include Tony Ferraiolo and Nate Black. copperbeechinstitute.org/upcoming-programs/mindful-pride

“Mental Health in the LGBTQ+ Community” is a panel discussion to be held June 23 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Connecticut Historical Society, 1 Elizabeth St. in Hartford. Participants include Dr. Richard Stillson and Edson Rivas, director of the Triangle Community Center in Norwalk, and moderator Ilene Frank, CHS chief curator. Free. chs.org/event/mental-health-lgbtq

Ellington Equality’s 2nd annual Pride Celebration will be June 25 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in Arbor Park in Ellington. Game booths, vendors, photo opportunities on the Rainbow Bridge, youth empowerment resources, clowns, ice cream for sale, music. ellingtonequality.com.

An opening reception for “Visions of Pride,” a Pride-themed art exhibit, will be June 25 from 4 to 5 p.m. at Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Road. eastonctpride.org.

A Pride-themed concert, with uncis and Hitch and the Giddyup, will be June 26 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on the lawn outside at Christ Church Easton, 59 Church Road. $7, $5 seniors, kids and teens free. eastonctpride.org.

Mohegan Sun casino will dedicate June 25 to Pride events hosted by Kalen Allen. Pride on the Patio will be 4 to 8 p.m. at the Summer Entrance. DJ, food trucks, drink specials, vendors, proceeds benefiting outCT. $10. Cocktails & Queens, with Lolita Colby, Miami Knight and Kyra Jete, will be 8 to 10 p.m. at Cabaret Theater. $40. Pride@Night is 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Avalon Nightclub. Music by DJs from Mars. 21 and older. mohegansun.com/pride.

You Better Work: Diva Brunch will be June 26 at 11 a.m. at Mohegan Sun’s novelle club. Live entertainment, food and cocktails. Book reservations through OpenTable or by calling 860-861-5994. mohegansun.com/pride.

LGBTQ+ Business Mixer hosted by the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce will be June 28 starting at 5:30 p.m. at 168 York St. in New Haven. Free. newhavenpridecenter.org.

Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.