ET has put together a guide to coming together virtually and supporting the community during the month of June.
Even though June marks Pride, with parades and other events normally taking place all around the country, celebrating will look very different this year after the coronavirus outbreak made it unsafe for people to gather in large groups. However, that has not stopped members of the community and organizations from coming together with virtual celebrations and activities taking place all month long -- reminding everyone that we can all thrive together.
Additionally, in the wake of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade and the subsequent protests against police brutality and racism and rallies supporting the Black Lives Matter and Black Trans Lives Matter movements, Pride is another opportunity for the LGBTQ community to come together in support of people of color and to take a stance against these systemic issues in America and around the world.
“Homophobia, transphobia, racial inequality, it all lives in this same inequality world. They're very different and people experience them very differently but we can lift each other's voices up,” GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis tells ET’s Denny Directo about the intersection of the ongoing protests and Pride Month. “And the LGBTQ community are people of color. We are people with disabilities. We are immigrants. And we've always been saying that. And so I am thrilled to be able to amplify, in this moment in time even further, black voices in our community.”
When it comes to the cancelation of physical events around the country, Ellis stresses the importance of celebrating virtually. “Isolation is a challenge for the LGBTQ community, especially our younger folks who couldn't live in isolation, and [are] now being quarantined in unaccepting households,” she says, adding that “there's a ton going on, mostly virtually to maintain safety.”
With that said, ET has rounded up some of the largest virtual celebrations bringing Pride to people’s homes and organizations to support the LGBTQ community of color as well as those at greater risk of exposure to COVID-19.
VIRTUAL CELEBRATIONS
Proud: Black & Queer in America
Pose actor Dyllon Burnside will host a virtual conversation series on his Instagram (@dyllonburnside) that will bring friends and influential members of the LGBTQ and black communities during Pride month. The series, which kicks off with appearances by Billy Porter, Alphonso David, Janet Mock and Mayor Steven Reed, comes ahead of the debut of Prideland, a new one-hour special and short-form digital series following Burnside on a journey across the South, which will air on Friday, June 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET on PBS. [Watch]
LA Pride 50th Anniversary Celebration
Raven-Symone and ABC7 anchors Ellen Leyva and Brandi Hitt will host the virtual Pride Parade. The celebration will include special performances and appearances by Alex Newell, Amara La Negra, Asher Entertainment ft. The House of Ninja, Bob the Drag Queen, Carson Kressley, Erika Jayne, Greyson Chance, Hayley Kiyoko, Jake Borelli, Jordy, Justin Tranter, Lance Bass, Lee Daniels, Leslie Jordan, Megan Hilty & Brian Gallagher, Mj Rodriguez, Neve Campbell, Sandra Bernhard, Shea Diamond, The Pussycat Dolls, Trixie Mattel, and the cast of Love Victor. Additionally, iHeartMedia Los Angeles will celebrate 50 Years of Pride in LA across local radio radio stations and through the LA Pridecast podcast. [Watch]
Pride Summit and Pride Prom
Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter are hosting the second annual Pride Summit, a day-long event featuring conversations about being out in the entertainment industry and the importance of representation. The day will conclude with a virtual Pride Prom, with performances and appearances by Billy Porter, Carlie Hanson, Carson Kressley, Chris Appleton, Cyndi Lauper, Erika Jayne, Hayley Kiyoko, Indigo Girls, Lena Waithe, Mary Lambert, Patrick Starrr, Todrick Hall, the cast of The L Word: Generation Q and more. [Watch]
Queers Built This
Vice is hosting two virtual events during June to rethink how the community celebrates Pride. The first is Queer DIY Crash Course, a series aimed at looking back at the roots of Pride in order to envision the future of LGBTQ culture and politics. [Watch]
#RefugeePride
The virtual fundraiser commemorates World Refugee Day and Pride Month, with donations benefiting LGBTIQ refugees through Alight and their affiliate partner Organization for Refuge, Asylum and Migration (ORAM). Special guests include Minnesota maven of style Miss Richfield, red carpet guru Steven Cojo and the amazing duo Amy Armstrong + Fernando Gonzalez. [Watch]
Virtual Pride Celebration
Broadway Plus is inviting theater fans to unite for a free, interactive event, where they can meet LGBTQ stars of the Great White Way, including power couple Jenn Colella (Come From Away) and Chilina Kennedy (Beautiful), Sean Green Jr. (Hamilton), Telly Leung (Aladdin), Michael James Scott (Aladdin) and Jay Armstrong Johnson (Phantom of the Opera). [Watch]
Virtual Trans Pride LA
The Trans/Non-Binary community of Southern California will still come together for a two-day, virtual event full of fun and community building that features a gallery exhibit, interactive workshops, a resource fair and a VarieTy Show with some of the best Trans/Non-Binary talent. [Watch]
Black Queer Town Hall
Peppermint and Bob the Drag Queen are partnering with NYC Pride and GLAAD for a 3-day virtual event to raise funds for black queer organizations and NYC-based LGBTQ performers. The event, which replaces DragFest, will feature appearances by Laverne Cox, Mj Rodriguez, Angelica Ross, Todrick Hall, Monet X Change, Isis King, Shea Diamond, Tiq Milan, Alex Newell, and Basit. [Watch]
Club House Global Virtual Pride Party
Following a Juneteenth celebration with Chiefy Chiefy, Jidenna and Nana Kwabena, Orange Is the New Black star Laverne Cox will be hosting a Pride takeover with Club Quarantine, Papi Juice and Yes Yes Y’all. All proceeds from the event will be going to NotAnotherBlackLife and Snap4Freedom. [Watch]
Out Now Live
The LGBTQ publication, them., is hosting its first virtual Pride event with “special performances, uplifting messages, stories from the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and more from members of the LGBTQ+ community.” Aquaria, Bob the Drag Queen, Wilson Cruz, Lee Daniels, Lea DeLaria, Asia Kate Dillon, Nyle DiMarco, Billy Eichner, Victor Garber, Hayley Kiyoko, Michael Kors, Ross Mathews, Cynthia Nixon, Antoni Porowski, Zac Posen, Shangela, Raven Symoné, Tegan and Sara, Sasha Velour, and Evan Rachel Wood are all set to appear or perform throughout the event. [Watch]
Human By Orientation
HBO launched its first-ever digital Pride on the Human By Orientation website, which provides a safe space for the LGBTQ community and allies to “gather, recharge, and spread joy -- celebrating their queerest, proudest selves.” Daily virtual events drag brunches, underground DJ sets, queer comedy nights as well as performances and appearances by Janelle Monae, Todrick Hall and Kim Petras.
Thursday, June 18 through Sunday, June 28 at various times
Savor Pride
NYC Pride has partnered with God's Love We Deliver, the area’s leading provider of delicious, medically tailored meals to individuals living with severe and chronic illness, for a web series of virtual cooking demonstrations hosted by YouTuber Kalen Allen and featuring chefs Amanda Freitag, Kate Pelayo, Renee Blackman, Mavis-Jay Sanders, and Sicily Johnson.
Monday, June 22 to Thursday, June 25 at various times
It Gets Better: A Digital Pride Experience
The It Gets Better Project is partnering with musicians, artists, beauty and fitness experts, actors, gamers, drag queens and more to present a three-day Pride extravaganza to prove that Pride can survive and thrive -- even if the community cannot come together in person. Peppermint has been tapped to host with performances by Rebecca Black, Crystal Methyd, Jujubee and more. [Watch]
Be Heard
Theory is hosting a virtual panel in partnership with GLAAD, “honoring Pride during this time when millions across the country are taking a unified stance against racial injustice and inequality.” GLAAD’s Head of Talent Anthony Ramos will moderate the conversation between Nico Tortorella and Alex Newell. [Watch]
Confidence Class With Nikita Dragun
Each & Every has teamed up with makeup mogul and confidence queen Nikita Dragun for the first ever “Confidence Class.” During the Zoom event Dragun will “teach attendees her self-made viral TikTok trend, as well as share tips and tricks on how each & every person can feel like their best selves during Pride.” [Watch]
Human Rights Conference
NYC Pride is hosting a virtual Human Rights Conference with panels covering a range of topics: State of the Media led by GLAAD and featuring black transgender activist, writer and media strategist, Raquel Willis, Be The Change: Driving Intersectional Equality and Inclusion, Anti-trans Violence and the Role of Guns, How Employee Resource Groups Contribute to Corporate Diversity and Inclusion Efforts and LGBTQIA+ Music featuring Shea Diamond, Cristal Ramirez and DJ BMAJR.
Thursday, June 25 at 9:30 a.m. ET/6:30 a.m. PT
She’s a Riot Digital Rally
In honor of Riah Milton and Dominique Rem-Mi Fells, two transgender women of color who were recently murdered and the other reported violence against transgender people, Mj Rodriguez and Billy Porter are hosting a digital rally to benefit the Marsha P. Johnson Institute. Along with the two Pose stars, the “party for a purpose” will feature musical performances, speeches from leading LGBTQ activists and a live DJ set by DJ Lina.
Thursday, June 25 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
Can’t Cancel Pride: A COVID-19 Relief Benefit for the LGBTQ+ Community
P&G and iHeartMedia are inviting listeners everywhere to join in on a virtual relief benefit designed to help raise visibility and funds for LGBTQ communities impacted by COVID-19. Can’t Cancel Pride will be hosted by Laverne Cox and Elvis Duran with appearances and performances by Adam Lambert, Big Freedia, Billy Porter, Katy Perry, Kim Petras, Melissa Etheridge, Sia, Ricky Martin and more.
Thursday, June 25 at 9 p.m. local time
Stonewall Day
Pride Media -- owner of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, Plus and Pride.com -- will join Pride Live and GLAAD for its annual Stonewall Day celebration. This year, it’s being transformed into a global livestream event raise funds for LGBTQ organizations most affected by COVID-19. Stonewall Day National Chair Geena Rocero will be joined by Nico Tortorello, Christian Sirano, George Takei and other activists, business leaders and influencers for a day of performances, community and giving. The event will also feature a special message from President Barack Obama as well as additional apearances by Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, Cynthia Erivo, Kesha, Hayley Kiyoko and Katy Perry.
Friday, June 26 at 12:45 p.m. ET / 9:45 a.m. PT
NYC Rally
NYC Pride is partnering with GLAAD and the National LGBTQ Task Force to lead a nontraditional rally hosted by journalist Ashlee Marie Preston and actor Brian Michael Smith. The event will “join community activists, organizers, politicians and more as we take a stand against police brutality and discrimination” as a show of force and change.
Friday, June 26 at 5 p.m ET/2 p.m. PT
OUT-a-thon Benefiting The OUT Foundation
The OUT Foundation will go live on YouTube and Facebook for a three-hour event featuring games, performances, an OUTCast Podcast live-recording and more.
Friday, June 26 at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT
Pose-a-Thon
It’s time to give, werk, pose! The cast and crew of the FX drama are reuniting for songs, conversations and more in partnership with GLSEN, Hetrick-Martin Institute and the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund.
Friday, June 26 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX and Freeform; and online at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
Global Pride 2020
“For millions of people around the globe, Pride is their one opportunity each year to come together and feel a part of a community, to feel loved, connected and to know they aren’t alone. It’s essential this year that as Pride organizers we ensure there is still the opportunity to connect, even if we are connecting from home,” Kristine Garina, President of the European Pride Organizers Association, said in a statement. Instead, the organization is putting together a 24-hour digital event that will unite members of the global LGBTQ community with musical and artistic performances, speeches from activists and campaigners, and addresses by public figures.
Saturday, June 27 at 12 a.m. ET
PrideCast LIVE
Independent Radio KPFK 90.7 FM and The Blunt Post With Vic are teaming up with the Stonewall Democratic Club, the nation’s oldest LGBTQIA+ and feminist political group, for an 11-hour marathon in solidarity with Global Pride and Black Lives Matter.
Saturday, June 27 at 7 a.m. ET/10 a.m. PT
Workout the World - LIVE! Together for Global Pride 2020
As part of the worldwide Pride celebration, Fhitting Room will be hosting a virtual, global benefit workout to raise funds for Global Pride 2020. The 45-minute virtual HIIT class will be led trainer Ben Wegman.
Saturday, June 27 at 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT
#UnstoppablePride Parade
Todrick Hall has teamed up with bubly sparkling water for a virtual celebration “to recognize the unstoppable spirit of Pride and elevate LGBTQIA+ content in support of GLAAD and the Center for Black Equity.” People are asked to participate by sharing their own parade moves which will be featured in a virtual march.
Saturday, June 27 at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT
VidCon Now Proud Together
VidCon’s summer-long virtual celebration of online video and digital creators “will honor Pride and the Black Lives Matter movement through a night of music, education, entertainment, fundraising, and more, streaming live.” The event hosted by Eugene Lee Yang and Mayhem Miller feature appearances by AmbersCloset, Jensen McRae, James Charles, poet & activist Amanda Gorman, Kingsley, Calle y Poché, Gigi Gorgeous, Rebecca Black, dancer Fabricio Seraphin, Ashley Strong, and Sam Tsui.
Saturday, June 27 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT
Werq the World: Pride Castle
America’s reigning drag superstar, Jaida Essence Hall, will be teaming up with season 11 winner Yvie Oddly a live-streamed event featuring Candis Cayne as well as performances by Heidi N. Closet, Raja, Naomi Smalls, Kim Chi, Plastique, along with Yvie and Jaida.
Saturday, June 27 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
NYC Pride
After hosting World Pride in 2019, New York City is making one of the country’s largest celebrations digital with a virtual parade. Carson Kressley and WABC7 anchors Ken Rosato and Lauren Glassberg will host the show with help from correspondents Sam Champion and Kemberly Richardson. Dan Levy will serve as one of the grand marshalls with performances by Janelle Monae, Billy Porter, Deborah Cox and additional appearances by Wilson Cruz, Margaret Cho and Miss Richfield 1981.
Sunday, June 28 at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT
#StayProud: A Virtual Pride Experience
Todrick Hall will be headlining Blued’s global virtual pride event benefiting the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Pride Pantry, “an initiative launched by the organization to serve the most vulnerable members of the community who are experiencing food insecurities during the current COVID-19 crisis.”
Sunday, June 28 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Concert for Love & Acceptance
Ty Herndon will be joined by Kristin Chenoweth and CMT’s Cody Alan to host the online charity event benefiting ACM Lifting Lives and GLAAD. The concert will feature performances by Tanya Tucker and more. “Now more than ever, it’s so important that young LGBTQ people see the artists and musicians they love standing up for them. Since we began this event in 2015, it’s only been about love and acceptance, and we’re not about to let this COVID virus distract us from sending a message loud and clear to LGBTQ youth: you’re perfect just the way you are,” Herdon said in a statement.
Tuesday, June 30 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
Cooking With Pride
Hosted by Ingrid Nielson, the Tastemade series takes viewers on a culinary journey, guided by accomplished chefs and food experts, including Chef Michael Twitty, Mac Jarvis, Parisa Parnian, Jeff Danzer. Together, they demonstrate how to make a particular food or dish while discussing issues, like activism and cannabis, facing the community today.
Every Monday at 7:00 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT through July
Marathons of Law & Order: SVU, Modern Family, Wynonna Earp and Xena: Warrior Princess
GLAAD has partnered with USA and SYFY for Pride-themed marathons of Wynonna Earp (Wednesdays on SYFY), Xena: Warrior Princess (Thursdays on SYFY), Modern Family (USA), special episodes of Law & Order: SVU hosted by former star BD Wong (Sundays on USA), and Talk Stoop Pride-themed interviews with Carson Kressley, Gigi Gorgeous, Wanda Sykes, Natalie Morales, Cynthia Germanotta, Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan on USA and on YouTube.
All Month on USA Network and SYFY
#MakeupWithPride
The Makeup Museum has launched a virtual beauty campaign to feature LGBTQ+ beauty pioneers throughout the decades. The campaign also includes an ongoing series of one-hour Instagram Live sessions with ARROWS, Crystal LaBeija, Darcelle XV, Kristian Cardenas and more to discuss a range of topics, such as drag history, Queer representation in media, and makeup as gendered or genderless transformation and expression. Additionally, for every social media comment or like on its #MakeupWithPride posts in June, the Makeup Museum will donate $1 (up to $10,000) to The Trevor Project.
All Month on Makeup Museum’s Instagram
Find even more events around the country here.
SUPPORT/DONATE
GoFundMe:
Justice for Breonna Taylor [Donate Here]
In Memory of Tony McDade [Donate Here]
Official George Floyd Memorial Fund [Donate Here]
Find even more ways to donate to the Black Lives Matter movement here and here.
National:
Emergency Release Fund: “The mission of the Emergency Release Fund is to ensure that no trans person at risk in New York City jails remains in detention before trial.” [Donate Here]
Feed the Queens: “In response to hunger needs brought on by Covid-19 and the subsequent shut down of nightlife, Feed The Queens is a national initiative founded to galvanize support in the fight against food insecurity among drag queens, drag kings and trans drag performers within the nightlife and performing arts communities.” [Donate Here]
LGBTQ Fund: “The Freedom Fund secures the liberty and safety of people held in jail or immigration detention, focusing on LGBTQ individuals.” [Donate Here]
Marsha P. Johnson Institute COVID-19 Relief Fund: “Our goal is to raise enough money to provide 100 Black trans people in need with $500 no strings attached to support their needs.” [Donate Here]
Point of Pride: “Point of Pride works to benefit trans people in need through gender-affirming support programs that empower them to live more authentically.” [Donate Here]
Prism Foundation: “Prism Foundation is a grassroots philanthropic organization that provides funds and leverages resources to empower the Asian & Pacific Islander LGBTQ+ community.” [Donate Here]
TRANScend: “TRANScend Community Impact Fund will address the disproportionate impact of HIV within Transgender communities with a specific focus on supporting grassroots organizations.” [Donate Here]
Trevor Project: “It's especially important to support LGBTQ young people during Pride, because many are isolated from welcoming communities and resources, and sometimes struggle to feel Pride in who they are.” [Donate Here]
Find even more ways to donate to the LGBTQ organizations fighting COVID-19 here and here.
MORE PRIDE CONTENT:
