Pride 2022

Pride In Dayton 2022

The theme for Dayton PRIDE this year is: “Here’s to us ....(fill in the blank)....” yet the question is, how would you fill in that blank? We are all unique individuals and coming out of the pandemic and other challenges, how will you celebrate? PRIDE belongs to you! We are a diverse community and our PRIDE celebration should reflect our authentic selves so when we say Here’s to us......... We are simply celebrating you!

In the last few months our community has become under attack on many fronts such as HB 616, Ohio’s own “Don’t say Gay bill” that includes, “Don’t Mention Race” or “Don’t Say Trans” all rolled into one bill. Then there is HB454 which would ban safe treatments for our trans community, or HB322 and HB327 to prevent honesty in education and anti-critical race theories to be discussed in classrooms. Our community is being bombarded on the so many fronts it is hard for parents of queer children to not fear for their child’s well being. Therefore, celebrating PRIDE is all the more important. PRIDE has never been about who shares our bedrooms. PRIDE is about our resilience.

On Friday June 3rd we kick off Dayton PRIDE with the Affair On The Square at 6 pm. We have asked our GSA’s and Diversity Clubs to highlight their talented young people by sharing song or written word. Then Kyleen Downs and group will take the stage to share their musical styling. We then will have a “Dueling Pianos” act take the stage as Shane Hall and Brennan Paulin share their musical talents in a fun and entertaining way. Lastly on Friday night we close out the evening with the Rubi Girls as they share their wit, humor and song for one very entertaining evening that should not be missed!

On Saturday June 4th will be a very exciting day with all the hustle and bustle of PRIDE Day. Vendor will begin setting up booths at 9 am and at 11 am groups will start lining up for the Parade. Groups will meet in Cooper Park the corner of Second and St. Clair Street to check in and get their positions in the Parade. The Parade will step off at Noon! The parade will turn RIGHT from St. Clair Street onto Third Street and proceed to Jefferson St where the parade will turn RIGHT onto Jefferson. It will then march from Jefferson to Second Street where it will turn Left onto Second. From Second street it will proceed to Main Street and Turn Left onto Main. At Main the parade will then proceed to Courthouse square where the PRIDE Festival will be in full swing from noon to 4 pm with lots of food, fun, and entertainment.

Each year at PRIDE we have seen a growing number of parents that bring their Queer kids to Dayton PRIDE and often they have shared with us their fears for the safety and mental well-being of their children. This year in-between acts we are asking our out and proud, doctors, lawyers, and business people to share their stories so all will know it is going to be OK, we are survivors, and we are resilient.

Later that evening The Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus will present in concert, “Flashback” a fun musical retrospective of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and more beginning at 8 pm at the Dayton Masonic Center. Tickets for this extravaganza are still available so grab them quick since it is sure to sell out! On Sunday June 5th grab your running shoes and head out to Eastwood Metro Park for PFLAG’s “Running with PRIDE” with registration starting at 7:30 am and the race starting at 9 am. The run/walk/bike is a great way to get the day started with PRIDE.

At 1 pm we introduce you to a new event for the PRIDE weekend lineup as the Rubi Girls present their “Miss Rubicon Pageant” at The Warehouse at Top Of The Market at 32 Webster Street in Dayton. With this fundraiser each of the contestants will be working to raise $ to show their support of The Rubi Scholarships. Each $5 vote will help them rake in points to add to their performance scores to crown the new Miss Rubicon. It is sure to be a hoot!

Then on July 9th, 2022 we return to Courthouse Square at 10 am for The Dayton Black PRIDE Parade from Courthouse Square to McIntosh Park where a PRIDE Festival will take place. At McIntosh Park there is a fun day of PRIDE celebration planned from 11 am to 7 pm featuring food, fun, and entertainment.

So pull out your PRIDE gear, plan your outfit and show your PRIDE as we celebrate PRIDE as a whole community!