The Local newsletter is your free, daily guide to life in Colorado. For locals, by locals. Sign up today!
Given all the rainbow glitter, drag brunches, and block parties, it can be easy to forget that Pride month sprouted from the Stonewall Riots in June of 1969. The police raided the Stonewall Inn, a well-known gay bar in New York City, and sparked a six-day series of protests by the bar’s patrons and neighborhood residents, a historic event that’s now seen as a pivotal point in the gay rights movement. Each June since these demonstrations, people have congregated in cities and towns around the world to show support for equal rights.
In Denver, Pride began in 1974 as a celebratory picnic in Cheesman Park and has since blossomed into a citywide celebration of the LGBTQ community that draws half a million attendees each year. And this year’s Denver PrideFest promises to be extra revelrous, since it’s celebrating its 50th anniversary. There are still many steps to be taken, but Denver has made significant strides since Stonewall. We say that’s something to celebrate, and here are just a few ways to do that.
The Lion Queen Cabaret
Handmade pasta. Disney tunes sung by drag queen princesses. A live pianist tickling the ivories of a baby grand. This might just be the Pride event of our dreams. Hosted by the Bindery and Champagne Tiger, performers Anna Staysha and Gila Moonstar will serenade guests with cabaret renditions of Disney classics while attendees nosh on rainbow salad, cacio e pepe, margarita pizza focaccia, and more. June 12; 6:15 p.m.; $68
Queer Frontier
While Brokeback Mountain might be the most mainstream representation of queer love in the American West, there are many other artistic examples of the LGBTQ community on the frontier. During this American Museum of Western Art lecture series, you’ll hear from experts about artists like Sir William Drummond Stewart, a Scottish adventurer whose open same-sex relationship eventually forced him to return home, and New Mexican painter Marsden Hartley, who expressed his repressed homosexuality in his art. June 14, 21, and 28; times vary; $10
Queeridescence
Planned specifically with teens and tweens in mind, this family-friendly (and alcohol-free) bash includes exciting activities like a runway walk and trivia game. Aspiring drag artists can learn how to command the stage from JUICCY Misdemeanor, dance to the beats of Denver-based electronic artist Kaptain, and express themselves via crafting, drawing, and writing. June 14; 7–10 p.m.; $10–$20
The floats in this neighborhood parade may be pint sized, but they somehow manage to pack as big of a Pride punch as the ones you’ll see at the parade through downtown Denver. Neighborhood businesses—including plenty of bars and breweries—will fashion their own miniature displays and pull them down Tennyson Street. Stick around for an after-party at Call to Arms Brewing Company soundtracked by DJ Jen G, and don’t miss the brewery’s other Pride programming, including a post-Pride Hangover Kick Back on Sunday, June 30. June 15; 4–7 p.m.; free
Pride Night at Coors Stadium
Instead of the standard purple, gray, and black, the Rockies stadium will be repping the rainbow during this celebratory Pride game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Attendees will receive a limited-edition Rockies Pride-themed fanny pack, and the purchase of a ticket automatically includes a donation to the Center on Colfax and One Colorado, two LGBTQ advocacy organizations. June 15; 7:10 p.m.; $26–$83
Pride Bar Crawl
Between the high-energy participants, the dangerously good drink deals, and the rowdy after-party, this bold bar crawl is a guaranteed good time. Drink to diversity at bars including Bad Habits ($12 for four hours of unlimited beer), Tight End ($3 Gaytorade and Pride shots), and Your Mom’s House ($6 strawberry margaritas); stop in for a drag show at Show Pony; and end the night at Charlie’s Denver. June 15; 4 p.m.–midnight; $10–$30
Private Spaces: Queer Capitol Hill Walking Tour
From Sherman Street’s Poets Row to the Molly Brown House, many of Capitol Hill’s landmarks have an untold history of being safe havens for the queer community. This walking tour, hosted by co-founder of the Colorado LGBTQ History Project for the Center on Colfax David Duffield, will shed light on these historic places, educate guests on how Denver’s laws segregated queer communities, and uncover the backstory of activism in the city. June 15, 20, 27; times vary; $20–$25
OUTLoud Music Showcase
If your preferred mode of expressing joy is dancing, then this two-day queer music festival is a must. The lineup includes local and national acts such as California-based singer Mariah Counts, Denver rapper Jelie, Colorado-based musician sashiBOOM, and local creative LadyGang, who is releasing an album at the event. June 20–21; starting at 6 p.m.; $18–$35
The Mile High City’s marquee Pride event is always a can’t-miss celebration, but its 50th anniversary makes it a truly historic occasion. The two-day festival starts with a Pride-themed 5K on Saturday morning, followed by a Civic Center Park bash with more than 200 exhibitors; performances from drag queen/environmentalist Pattie Gonia, RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Shea Couleé, and more; and an epic parade on Sunday, which draws more than 100,000 people each year. New this year is the Gayborhood Market in Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park, where more than 100 small businesses and artisans will display their wares. June 22–23; Saturday 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; free
Sheraton PRIDE Market
Just a few blocks away from Denver’s annual PrideFest, this market attracts hundreds of queer community members and allies—not to mention Governor Jared Polis, who attended last year. Visitors can peruse handmade goods, watch performances by more than a dozen drag queens, and get makeup demos from the queens themselves. On Saturday, don’t miss the all-ages variety show in the Sheraton’s lobby, where stand-up comics, musicians, and more will perform. Market: June 22–23; noon–7 p.m.; free; Variety Show: June 22; 7–9 p.m.; free
This event-packed Dairy Block Pride festival will boast so much fun, you’ll want to remember it—and luckily, you can get the ultimate souvenir in the form of a stick-and-poke Pride tattoo. Those in search of a less-permanent token can snap a photo in a vintage VW bus photo booth in between shows from six drag queens (including Muni Tox and Star Kirkland) and delicious food and drink specials (we’re looking forward to LoDough Bakery’s rainbow croissants and Kachina Cantina’s Glitter-ita margarita). June 22; 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; free
