Photo: ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images
Before we get into what's poppin for Pride, don't forget to support your LGBTQ fam and friends 365 days a year, okurrr?
Jacksonville's official Pride Fest and Parade is in October because it's hot as hell in June but there are still plenty of special events to celebrate this city's most colorful folx.
June 7: The Cabaret Hour
The Cabaret Hour is a sexy lil variety show with local talent at The Justice Pub. Catch the special themed night at 9pm. It's 18+ and tickets are only $10!
June 8: Fernandina Beach Pride Parade and Festival
The quaint beach town is throwing it's FIRST EVER pride fest and parade June 8! Get there early for a prime spot to watch the parade through downtown Fernandina Beach. Stick around for the free festival with live music, a kids area and an artist's market. Get more details here.
June 8: Springfield Pride Fest
The historic neighborhood (and my 'hood) is throwing a Pride Fest that goes all day and into a night market. This fun back alley hang features drag performances, a full bar, food trucks and a super eclectic mix of vendors.
I'm obviously a little biased because I freakin love my neighborhood and the people are diverse and awesome. Click here and don't miss out!
June 10: Pride Night with the Jax Jumbo Shrimp
Go all nine innings showing some love to River City Pride at the baseball grounds. A portion of the ticket sales go to RCP. They throw the official Jax Pride Parade in October and wow it's always lit.
Buy tickets here.
June 14: Glitterbomb presents “Fetish”
Jacksonville's premiere drag show kicks off its Summer Series with "Fetish". If you haven't seen a Glitterbomb Show produced + hosted by Bebe Deluxe, DO NOT SLEEP THIS SUMMER. Everything the Met Gala missed about camp is in a Glitterbomb show.
Showtime is 10:30 p.m. at The Metro. Cover is $7, cash only.
June 14-30: Falsettos at The 5 & Dime Theater
Local theatre gem, The 5 & Dime, explores the Tony award winning musical set in New York during the AIDS crisis of the early 80’s. The story revolves around the life of a neurotic gay man named Marvin, his family, his psychiatrist, and the lesbians next door. Click here to get tickets.
June 25: Drag Queen Story Hour: College Edition
Bebe Deluxe has been readin' to the kids lately but this story time is grown folk only. UNF's LGBT Resource Center is hosting the story time that followed by a discussion facilitated by Dr. Mandi Barringer, Assistant Professor of Sociology. Spend your 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. lunch hour with a good time and good conversation at the Thomas G. Carpenter Library.
June 29: Pride Storytime Featuring Prince & Knight, Maiden & Princess, and Red: A Crayon’s Story
We love a family-friendly pride event. Your mini humans can celebrate diversity through children't books at Barnes & Noble in St. Johns Town Center. Reading starts at 11 a.m. and you can get a coupon for a sandwich and milk or juice for the in-store café.
June 29: Pride Celebration Day at MOSH
Like our own version of the Avengers, MOSH teams up with JASMYN, the LGBT UNF Resource Center, River City Pride, PFLAG, Women’s Center of Jacksonville and more to host a day of inclusive, family-friendly fun. Catch drag performances by Hamburger Mary’s and The Glitterbomb Show hosted by (GUESS WHO SIS) BeBe Deluxe. The event starts 11 a.m. and tickets are $7.50.
June 29: Duval Folx Family Reunion
Musician and fiiiiiiire DJ Geexella is taking her late night Duval Folx dance party into the sunlight for a day party in Springfield. Duval Folx is Jacksonville's regular queer friendly event where the motto is "No Homophobia. No Transphobia. RESPECT PRONOUNS." The Family Reunion is bringing more local musicians and vendors to Sesquicentennial Park starting at noon. Admission is on a sliding scale, which means pay what you can afford.
*This list is always updating so keep checking back for more events!