Philadelphia the City of Firsts, kicks off Philly Pride Month with the unfurling of the longest Pride Flag at 400 feet, on the Philadelphia Art Museum Steps, the most famous steps in the USA. I attended one of the first Pride parades in Philly, about 35 years ago, organized by Franny Price. She and her team ran it successfully for 30 years. She’s now the Mayor of The Borough of Folcroft. Last year it was resurrected under a new team, and under a new concept, produced by Galaei no cars or floats, and then ends in the Gayborhood with a day long festival. It was a lot of fun in 2023, so I hope to see you there Sunday. Here’s the story…
3:00pm – Independence Mall
The 400 foot flag will be displayed at 5th and Market
4:00pm – Taller Puertorriqueno, Inc
The flag will travel to 2600 N 5th St for display
5:30pm – Manayunk Bridge
Manayunk Development Corporation, Aversa PR, Philly Publicist and Philly Pride Month will team up to bring the flag to the top of the Manayunk Bridge where the flag will unfold at the marker connecting the city to the suburbs at the Main Line/Manayunk Marker
* Media needing parking for this please let Kory know as soon as possible
* This is a great helicopter opportunity
7:30pm – Franklin Institute
The flag will unfold outside the Franklin Institute which will also be presenting their Summer Art Ball in partnership with Galaei
8:00pm – Gayborhood
The flag will end with a street closure at 13th and Locust in the famous Gayborhood in Midtown Village
From there, the flag will be put away and officially debut in the Philadelphia March and Festival on Sunday, June 2nd, with the flag launching at 10:30am at 6th and Walnut.
Philly Pride Month welcomes the media to the Sofitel Hotel who hosted the first Pride Month Kick off under the Philly Pride Month moniker 5 years ago, and through out the Pandemic when it looked like there would be no Pride Month in Philadelphia. Kudos to Kory for saving Pride during the pandemic and rally business to participate, including many who were not his clients.
“Galaei is Queer, Trans, Black, Brown, Indigenous, and People of Color radical social justice organization serving the Latine/a/o/x community while widening our embrace. Galaei provides services, support, and advocacy for all QTBIPOC communities. Galaei mobilizes for access, opportunity, sexual empowerment, and economic justice while overcoming systemic oppression, structural racism, discrimination, and white supremacy.
Sheila Alexander-Reid, Executive Director Diversity, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
Rue Landau, Councilmember at Large, City of Philadelphia
Pierre Jotterand, General Manager, Sofitel Philadelphia, Brittney Lynn, Queen of Drag Mafia; Gregg Caren, President, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
Philly Pride 365: A Program of Galaei is inviting the entire LGBTQ+ community and allies to “Be You” in 2024 for the occasion, which starts at 6th and Walnut at 10:30 a.m., no registration required (note, no floats or vehicles permitted.) When the March reaches the Gayborhood, the Festival will begin, running from noon to 7 p.m., on Walnut to Pine streets, and Quince to Juniper streets, with other select roads closed around the festival footprint. More INFO HERE
Pride Month Drag Tea
Benefits the Mazzoni Center
Saturday, June 8, 2024 AND Saturday, June 22, 2024
2:00pm to 4:00pm
at Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square
Sofitel Philadelphia returns with the most celebrated drag tea in Philadelphia with two exclusive dates this year: Saturday June 8 and Saturday June 22. Look for a new spin on a time-honored tradition. Sofitel, famous for its classic afternoon tea service, will debut a new Drag Tea featuring Brittany Lynn’s Drag Mafia. Sip tea (or spill it) in the presence of fabulous Drag Queens as you enjoy delicious offerings from Sofitel’s award-winning culinary team. Drag Tea starts each week at 2:00pm and runs through 4:00pm inside Chez Colette Brasserie. Come ready to be entertained as you enjoy classics, like scones, tea sandwiches, pastries and Palais Des Thes (selection of nine different teas for you to choose) – plus your choice of a Champagne, Mimosa or Bellini. Tickets are $65 per person for standard drag tea service, or $75 with bottomless Champagne, Mimosas and Bloody Marys. Five dollars from each purchase will be donated to the Mazzoni Center. Tickets are available at bit dot ly/pridetea24
New! Pride Our Night Out
Presented by the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund
Thursday, June 20, 2024
6:00pm to 9:00pm
at Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square
Looking forward to seeing everyone Sunday and through out June at so many festive events. Thank you to all the brave souls who came out before us, were loud and proud so that we can live loud and proud in a more accepting environment. Socially yours, HughE
