Niagara Pride announces full 'Season of Pride' events

Submitted by Niagara Pride 

Niagara Pride is excited to release its most event-packed schedule for Pride season ever. This year, not only will Niagara Pride be partnering again with Calhoon’s Pub, Oliver Street Merchants Association, and Old Falls Street in order to host Newfane Pride, Oliver Street Pride (North Tonawanda), and Rainbow City Pride (Niagara Falls), but it is thrilled to announce that, for the first time – in partnership with the Kenan Center – Lockport will have its first Pride festival ever.

All of Niagara Pride’s outdoor Pride celebrations are free to attend, and will have family-friendly and welcoming programming in order to make Pride celebrations more accessible for everyone. In order to ensure that commitment to accessibility, Niagara Pride is partnering with the Discover Niagara Shuttle to provide a free drop-off/hop-on service, connecting the major cities in Niagara County, allowing individuals to be able to travel to all of Niagara Pride’s community Pride festivals during the month of June.

“For many in the rural parts of WNY who identify as LGBTQIA+ or as an ally, being able to get to downtown Buffalo for any of the Pride events held there can be challenging,” Niagara Pride President Ronald Piaseczny said. “Lack of transportation and admission fees can be a deterrent in attending. Thanks to community partners and corporate sponsors like M&T Bank, Niagara Pride is able to bring Pride into those rural communities and create safe and affirming spaces so that anyone wishing to participate in Pride can be part of the celebration.”

This year’s June 2024 lineup of events includes:

√ May 31 – Pride flag-raising ceremonies Across Niagara County

√ June 2 – Niagara Pride walks in the Buffalo Pride Parade

√ June 8 – Newfane Pride @ Calhoon’s Pub, Newfane, from noon to 3:30 p.m.

√ June 15 – Oliver Street Pride @ Heritage Park, North Tonawanda, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

√ June 22 – Lockport Pride @ Kenan Center, Lockport, from 1-5 p.m.

√ June 22 – “Lock, Stock, and Drag Extravaganza” from 6-7 p.m. at Kenan Center Theater, Lockport. Performers include Jayme Cox, Freddie Hercury, Bleu Darlin, Sheena Spice, Pamela Carnes, Logan Betty and Vageena George. Purchase tickets at www.niagarapride.org.

√ June 29 – Rainbow City Pride @ Old Falls Street, Niagara Falls (and various locations) from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Additional Niagara Pride “Season of Pride” events being held in July and August, as well as event information, can be found at www.niagarapride.org.

Niagara Pride is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving LGBTQ+ individuals and families in Niagara County and WNY. It offers educational programming, engages in charitable works, and offers social programming to create safe and welcoming environment for all those who identify as LGBTQ+ living throughout WNY. It relies primarily on donations to provide these services and has no paid staff – only volunteers.

Some of the services Niagara Pride offers include:

•LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusivity trainings for businesses and organizations. More than 8,000 individuals, both locally and nationally, attended these trainings throughout 2023.

•Jean Hopkins Memorial Scholarship. Two $500 scholarships are awarded to a graduating high school senior pursuing higher education.

•Niagara County GSA grants and WNY Rural GSA grants – grants provided to local GSAs to help fund LGBTQ+ diversity programs at their middle or high schools.

•“Know Your Status” – a campaign designed to provide free sexual health information and resources to residents of WNY, as well as create an online tool that allows individuals to easily locate HIV/AIDS and STI testing sites throughout the eight counties of Western New York.

•WNY LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness Fair – an opportunity for community members to learn about LGBTQ+ specific and/or affirming programs, services, and resources offered by local community service providers.

•WNY Pride 5K – a fun race/walk in WNY with a focus of bringing awareness to, while also celebrating, the local WNY LGBTQ+ community.

•Community-based Pride celebrations – Rainbow City (Niagara Falls) Pride (in partnership with Old Falls Street), Newfane Pride, North Tonawanda Pride (in partnership with the Oliver Street Merchants Association)!

•And in partnership with other agencies, Niagara Pride has been able to offer various groups/services.

For more information about Niagara Pride, check out its website at www.niagarapride.org, email [email protected], or connect on Facebook [Niagara Pride (serving all of WNY)].