Pride 2025: Go Big in These Southern Towns
Just a few weeks away is the beginning of Pride Month—the month for celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and the progress that has been made for their rights.
The history of June as a month for LGBTQ+ people dates back the 1970s. According to the Library of Congress, “On June 28, 1970, on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, the first Pride marches were held in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Thousands of LGBT+ people gathered to commemorate Stonewall and demonstrate for equal rights.” It is also noted that the first marches occurred thanks to “prior decades of LGBT+ activism and organizing … Pride traditions were adapted from the ‘Reminder Day Pickets’ held annually (1965-1969) on July 4 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.”
With June impending, now is the time to plan which Pride celebrations to attend. And, when it comes to such celebrations in the South, there are many of them to choose from. These are only a few, so check your local community for parades, drag shows, health fairs and more.
Athens, Georgia
Athens, Georgia is a place where creative expression, independent spirit and inclusivity are part of the culture—not just during Pride Month, but year-round. From the groundbreaking influence of The B-52s and Michael Stipe to today’s vibrant queer community, Athens continues to be a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ residents and visitors alike. That spirit shows up in everything from grassroots activism to glittering drag shows. Some organizations that offer LGBTQ+ support, even outside of June, include the UGA Pride Center, GLOBES and the Boybutante AIDS Foundation. Athens Clarke County also proclaimed in December 2024 that it is a “safe haven” for the LGBTQ+ community.
As for events, the Athens Pride Parade occurs annually. This year, however, the parade will be combined into a larger event called PrideFest 2025: From Athens, With Pride. It is scheduled for Saturday, June 7. There will be queer-affirming resources, vendors, bars, restaurants, food trucks, children’s activities and entertainment. The parade will begin at 5 p.m., while the vendors, kid’s zone and food trucks will be available from 3-8 p.m.
Charlotte, South Carolina
In Charlotte, an organization known as Charlotte Pride offers year-around events with the purpose of empowering the LGBTQ+ community and increasing their visibility. Each year, they host a festival and parade, a job fair, interfaith programs and a film festival. This year’s festival will be from August 16- 17. The parade will occur along Tryon Street in Uptown.
At the festival, musicians, vendors, a food court, a youth zone and nonprofits will be featured. Another festival attraction will be a Mint Museum Uptown art exhibit titled “Flourish: A Celebration of LGBTQ Arts & Culture.” There will be performing and fine arts groups, spoken word artists and short films. The exhibit will take place on August 17 from 1-6 p.m. There will also be a health fair, where attendees can receive HIV tests or vaccines and see wellness vendors.
Another event in Charlotte will be RAIN’s Pride in the Park on June 28 from 5-10 p.m. RAIN is an organization that supports those in Charlotte who are affected by HIV. The event will involve music, art and performances.
St. Petersburg, Florida
Many of the Pride events in St. Petersburg are hosted by St. Pete Pride. One of these is a Stonewall Reception at the Museum of Fine Arts on June 12 from 6-9 p.m. There will be a reflection of the LGBTQ+ movement’s history and progress featuring government officials and other guests.
Another event called Transtastic will occur on June 18 from 6-9 p.m. at The James Museum. It will focus on the experiences of transgender and nonbinary people through inspirational messages and performances.
A third event in this area will be the 2025 Street Fair in the Grand Central District. This is the last Pride event from St. Pete Pride for the year, so you will not want to miss it. Across blocks, there will be vendors, community partners, local businesses, onstage performances and street performances. Pets are also allowed but must be leashed.
Dallas, Texas
The Resource Center in Dallas, Texas, will hold its Pride Celebration 2025 on June 28. Resource Center is an LGBTQ+ community center and HIV/AIDS service organization. The celebration will feature activities for any age, including face painting, balloon art and performances. Vendors and organizations will also be present to provide resources for the LGBTQ+ community.
Featured photo credit: Nicolas Mejia
