Pride month in the Mohawk Valley: Where to celebrate

Pride Month is officially here, and people across the Mohawk Valley are celebrating with events, parades, rallies and more.

And while some Pride events are relatively new to the area, the celebration comes from the June 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a series of clashes between police and LGBTQ+ individuals following the raid of the gay bar the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York City. Since then, activist and organizations have organized every June to commemorate the events of the Stonewall Uprising and call for an end to discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.

Here's a list of events celebrating Pride in the Mohawk Valley, in chronological order. Have we missed any events? Let us know by sending an email to mariamsilva@gannett.com and this list will be updated.

Little Falls Pride drag show: June 10

For lovers of drag, There will be a drag show at 7:30 p.m. June 10 at Elk's Lodge, 60 N. Ann St. in Little Falls.

The event will have performances by Lin Guinie, Ianna Rouge, Kitten Kaboodle, Edie James, Mama Sally and Lizanga. The price is $10 per person at the door, and proceeds will benefit The Community Outreach and Rainbow Club.

Pride Show at BBG's in Yorkville: June 11

This drag show happening at 8 p.m. June 11 at BBG's Beer Bites Games at 4951 Commercial Drive in Yorkville promises a "legendary evening of love, legs and laughter."

The event will feature hostess Jianna Romano and performances by Katarina Mirage, Ms. Kitten Kaboodle and special guest Amber Skyy.

Reservations are a must and can be made at 315-765-9111. The price is $20 per person in advance and $25 at the door.

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Little Falls Pride: June 11

Little Falls's second Pride celebration returns at 9 a.m. June 11 in downtown Little Falls. The event will kick off with a Pride Stride 5K, followed by a free 1/2-Mile Kids Fun Run at 15 Jackson St. and a Pride Celebration from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. nearby on Burke Park. A Pride Prom will go from 6:30 until 10 p.m. at Little Falls Youth & Family Center with an after party scheduled for 10 p.m.

During the day, there will be guest speakers, drag story hour, performances, music, food vendors, merchandise for sale, activities and games for people of all-ages. It is organized by Little Falls Community Outreach.

True to You Pride Tie-Dye Party: June 14

The Center For Family Life and Recovery, Inc. will host a tie-dye party for Pride from 4 to 5 p.m. June 14 at their 502 Court St. location.

Guests have to bring their own white garment to tie-dye in the colors they prefer "to stay true to your identity."

Reservations are required and can be made by calling 315-768-2678.

Pride pop-up event at Superofficial: June 18

The newly-opened coffee shop Superofficial and the art gallery Copper Easel will celebrate the first Pride pop-up event together from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 216 W. Dominick St. in Rome

About a dozen LGBTQ+ and ally artists and vendors including Benny Garden, The Upstate Hippie, Alyzza Viros, Mix n Match Pottery and more will be there selling their work.

While this is the first Pride event with the two businesses, The Copper Easel had previously hosted Pride events and fundraisers.

PRIDE @Uptown Theatre: June 24

The Uptown Theatre for Creative Arts is joining in the Pride celebrations with its own event on June 24 starting at 8 p.m. at 2014 Genesee St., Utica.

David Butler will read his autobiographical story, which explores the world of NYC’s gay nightlife, followed by a drag show at 10 p.m. hosted by Makenzie Taylor, featuring Electra Qute, Eve Elle Queen and more performers.

Admission for the event is free although donations toward the Uptown Theatre are welcomed.

Utica Pride events: June 25

On June 25 there will be an annual Pride celebration from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. The fun will be found in two different downtown Utica locations like Handshake City located at 26 Whitesboro St., and at The Compound Utica at 106 Genesee St.

The Utica Pride event initially had been scheduled to be a march on Oneida Square, but it has been changed to combine it with The Compound's celebration.

At Handshake City, people will find music, activities, speakers and fun throughout the day.

The Compound will bring more than 10 LGBTQ+ vendors, artists, crafters to its downtown Utica location. It will also host the nonprofit Queer Closet for a clothing swap and donation and with the Q Center at ACR Health, which provides guidance and support to LGBTQ+ youth and families.

People are encouraged to check The Compound's social media for more updates.

Indivisible Mohawk Valley and The Compound have teamed up to bring Utica Pride with the co-sponsorship of Interfaith Coalition of Greater Utica, Unitarian Universalist Church, the Oneida County Democratic Party and Citizens Action of Utica.

This will be The Compound's second Pride event. Last year, the celebration was held at the sandwich shop's Clinton location. It was also last year when community members and MVCC students gathered at Oneida Square for the first Pride rally in Utica since a Pride festival at MVCC in 2019 and a parade held in 2000.

3rd Shift Event's Pride Night in Rome: June 25

This Pride event will take place at night June 25 from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. at 1188 Erie Blvd. W. in Rome.

There will be food, a DJ performance and dancing. Price is $10 and the event is for people 21 and older

Maria M. Silva covers food, drink and culture in the Mohawk Valley for the Observer-Dispatch. Email her at mariamsilva@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Pride month 2022: Events, parades, rallies in the Mohawk Valley