Impactful Ways To Celebrate Pride Month In Minneapolis & Beyond
Before reading up on this weekend's festivities, please consider donating to LGBTQ+ supporting organizations, if you’re able. Here is a small, not in any way all encompassing, list of places to consider giving to:
(Leading MN towards LGBTQ equality)
(Pays bail to secure the safety and liberty of individuals in jail and immigration detention)
(Offering a new reality for BLACK trans people in America)
(A Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color community organizing center, focusing on the New York City area)
Pride Celebrations In The Twin Cities
There are many opportunities to take part in the Pride events across Minneapolis and beyond this summer. Here are just a few of the local organizations and businesses celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
Reclaiming Our Identities
Two-Spirit Pow Wow
Friday, June 24 / 3pm-8pm at South High School / 3131 19th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
Reclaiming Our Identities Two-Spirit Pow Wow is presented by New Native Theatre and will take place at South High School on Friday, June 24.
The pow wow is a celebration of the indigenous Two-Spirit identity, or those who identify as having both a feminine and masculine spirit within them.
Mutual Aid: In addition to the festivities, the organizers will be accepting as well as distributing gently used clothing and non-perishable food. More info HERE.
Pride Beer Dabbler
Friday, June 24 / 6pm-9:30pm / The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
The Beer Dabbler is hosting its 10th annual Pride Beer Dabbler on Friday, June 24 at The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The event will feature samples from more than 65 local breweries and cideries, as well as live music, food and fun activities.
According to the organization, Pride Beer Dabbler “is a celebration of our state’s vibrant LGBTQ+ craft beer community, offering craft beer enthusiasts a chance to take part in the festive and flamboyant environment of Twin Cities Pride while sampling great beer, cider, and seltzer in one of Minneapolis’ most scenic parks–complete with food trucks, dance parties, and more!” More info HERE.
DJ Keezy Presents The Klituation Pride Party
Friday, June 24 / 9pm-2am / First Avenue Night Club (Main Room)
According to the event’s creator, The Klituation “celebrates women while holding space for QWOC, femmes, queer, trans + genderqueer, and gender non-conforming people. Featuring an all women & gender minority cast in music, fashion design, visual arts and dance, the Klituation showcases the collective creative power of women +. Through this act of representation and resistance, it paves the way for future events created for and by a larger female-identified base in the local music scene and beyond.” More info HERE.
Saloon Block Party
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday / June 24, June 25 and June 26 / 12pm-2am at The Saloon / 830 Hennepin Avenue
The Saloon will be hosting another epic block party June 24, 25 and 26. This year's party features music by Da Brat, Poppy and many more. More info HERE.
Twin Cities Pride Festival
Saturday and Sunday / June 25 and June 26 / 10am-6pm at Loring Park
This weekend the Twin Cities Pride Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary! As always, the festivities are free. “Twin Cities Pride Festival is a CELEBRATION of the LGBTQ+ Community and ALL LGBTQ+ people and allies are welcome.”
“The 50th annual Twin Cities Pride Festival will be held at Loring Park in Minneapolis June 25 – 26, 2022 and will feature local BIPOC and LGBTQ+ vendors, food courts, a beer garden, and music stages.” Metro Transit is offering free rides to Pride. More info about the celebration HERE.
Twin Cities LGBTQ+ Pride March Honoring Ashley Rukes
Sunday, June 26 / 11am-2pm / Starts at 7th & Hennepin and proceeds down Hennepin to Spruce then into Loring Park
“The Twin Cities LGBTQ+ Pride March celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Twin Cities Pride will take place on Sunday, June 26, 2022. Step Off Time is 11:00 am.
We’re back on Hennepin! The March starts at 7th & Hennepin and proceeds down Hennepin to Spruce then into Loring Park.” More info HERE.
Pride Outside: Summer Edition
Tuesday, June 28th / Tuesday, July 26th / Tuesday, Aug. 23rd / All dates 4pm-5:30pm / Dodge Nature Center / 365 Marie Avenue W, West St. Paul
Pride Outside takes place the fourth Tuesday of June, July and August at the Dodge Nature Center in West St. Paul. The program has been specifically created for youth in 5th-12th grade. Register online.
“Discover the outdoors with other Queer youth in an all-welcoming environment! Enjoy hands-on activities and interactions with Dodge’s education animals and wild flora and fauna.
Pride Outside is a program for 5th-12th grade youth, of any sexual or gender identity, and LGBTQ+ allies. This summer program is offered the fourth Tuesday of each month from June to August. It will be a safe space—students are encouraged to come as they are. Please come dressed for the weather.” More info HERE.
Minnesota People of Color LGBTQ+ Pride Presents The Twin Cities Black Pride 2022 Festival’s Black Magic Weekend
Thursday-Sunday / August 18-21
“Since 2014, our organization has connected and served the LGBTQ+ POC community state-wide through HIV health advocacy, furthering our civic engagement work, the constant fight for LGBTQ+ people of color equity and equality, and producing our annual Twin Cities Black Pride Festival. We work diligently to assist in creating positive change in education, employment, social emotional learning (SEL) and the overall quality of life for our community members. Our organization feels it is imperative to address issues of race, culture, class, political and sexual health in order to successfully achieve this. Additionally, we wholeheartedly believe in equality for all and celebrating and respecting our community’s diversity.” More info HERE.
