Phoenix Pride

For details on Phoenix Pride 2021 festivities, click here.

Photo credit: nightfuse.com

Phoenix loves a parade, but diving into the city’s LGBTQ+ community also entails rodeo, softball and frequenting ‘The Collection.’

By Suzanne Wright

I attended my first Pride event 30 years ago, and things are much different now than they were three decades ago. A national movement has spurred greater-than-ever acceptance of LGBTQ+ citizens, and it's already been six years since the United States Supreme Court recognized that same-sex couples are guaranteed the right to marry. 

Founded in 1981, Phoenix Pride is part of a continuing crusade to promote unity, visibility and self-esteem among LGBTQ+ people and the larger community in Greater Phoenix and Arizona. The festival, held annually in April, is the city’s largest LGBTQ+ event, but Phoenix Pride works throughout the year to build partnerships and programming. 
 

Photo credit: nightfuse.com

Jackson Kelly is the owner of Bliss ReBAR, which is celebrating 11 years in Roosevelt Row, a downtown community he calls “all accepting, all encompassing.” Kelly, who has traveled to Pride events throughout the U.S. and around the world, says he’s witnessed a sea of change in the growth of the Phoenix Pride Festival. 

“I remember when Phoenix Pride was super secret,” he says. “Now it’s a 10-day event with a parade, big celebrity talent and concerts.”

Bliss is part of a group of individually operated, gay-owned restaurants — unofficially called 'The Collection' — which includes Fez and Switch Restaurant and Wine Bar. 

While these establishments may be busier during Pride, it’s the year-round patronage of locals and visitors that he most appreciates. “There’s a lot going on here and opportunities to be involved throughout the year.” 

Kelly rattles off a partial list: the Equality Arizona awards reception, the Gay Softball World Series, the Arizona Gay Rodeo, one•n•ten's Fresh Brunch in February, the Miss Gay Arizona America Pageant each spring, the Rainbows Festival and Street Fair in November. (For additional community happenings, visit our community events calendar.)

The 40-something-year-old native Phoenician, who has been with his partner for more than two decades, says he once thought “the level of conservatism [here] was unbreakable.” Today, he said there's been a palpable shift, especially throughout central Phoenix.

When asked if he attributes this change in the city's social and cultural climate to the Supreme Court ruling in favor of marriage equality in 2015, and the movement’s subsequent momentum, "maybe" was Kelly's reply.

“Really, it’s human nature to be around people with common interests. I’m looking forward to the day when gay is not an adjective, when it’s just normal.”
 

Phoenix Pride 2021 Festivities

Phoenix Pride Festival
Nov. 6-7, 2021
Steele Indian School Park
300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix

Phoenix Pride Parade
Nov. 6, 2021
Begins: 3rd Street & Thomas
Ends: 3rd Street & Indian School