5 things to experience at Pittsburgh Pride this weekend

Pittsburgh Pride returns this weekend after a year off because of the pandemic.

Pittsburgh Pride Group will be hosting virtual and in-person events. According to Pittsburgh Pride Group, it helps create wellness, equity and justice for LGBTQ+ people in communities across southwestern Pennsylvania.

Dalen Michael, of Bellevue, one of the organizers from Pittsburgh Pride Group said Pride is not just a weekend. It’s Pride Mont and these events are a kick off to 30 days of celebrations.

“We wanted to put on events that are divers and inclusive in places that people will feel safe and can be themselves,” Michael said. “We wanted to touch every demographic.”

Michael said the time between when Gov. Tom Wolf opened up the state to the start of the event didn’t allow for much time to plan but organizers wanted to do some in-person events.

“In-person events are needed,” Michael said. “So many people suffered from mental health issues and depression because they haven’t been able to see people.”

Michael said having a virtual component is for those who may not yet feel comfortable going out. But the Pittsburgh Pride Group wanted to have the Pride experience accessible to everyone. It will be live streamed on Facebook.

Here is what’s happening.

Marching on

The “Pittsburgh Pride Revolution March” begins at noon Saturday in front of the City County Building on Grant Street, Downtown.

Attendees may bring signs, banners, flags, and can play music. Masks are required.

No vehicles will be allowed in the march.

The march will proceed down Grant Street, turn left at Sixth Avenue, continue on Seventh Street and across the Andy Warhol Bridge, through Allegheny Center, and into Allegheny Commons Park West on the North Side for the mini-festival. The festival will be held close to Lake Elizabeth. It’s free.

Register here.

Mini-festival day one

The festival will open as soon as the first marchers arrive Saturday and run until 6 p.m. There will be food trucks, music and performances, as well as vendors.

Mini-festival day two

On Sunday, the second day of the mini-festival will be from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. outside Trace Brewing on Main Street in Bloomfield. There will be entertainment, food, face painting.

Drag Queen story time with Akasha LeStat Van Cartier is at 5 p.m. DJ Huny will spin tunes until 9:30 p.m.

There will be a showing of the Pittsburgh Pride Revolution Virtual Pride event on Facebook hosted by Luna La Creme, Mix Universe and Malcum Tent with 30 acts from local, national and international performers.

There will be face painting, food trucks, Drag Queen Story Time with Akasha LeStat Van Cartier for the kids at 5 p.m. DJ Huny will spin tunes until 9:30 p.m.

Jim Sheppard, of Downtown Pittsburgh is co-creator of QBurgh, a publication and resource for the LGBTQ community, with Jeff Freedman of South Side.

Sheppard said this community is a marginalized one and may have been even more affected by the pandemic lockdown.

“They need to feel a sense of community and to be in a safe space,” Sheppard said. “Online and virtual events are OK but the need for an in-person event is so important. All the Pride events are exciting.”

After parties

Local LGBTQ-owned bars will be having after party events such as 5801 in Shadyside, The Brewer’s Bar and Blue Moon, both in Lawrenceville, and There Ultra Lounge, Downtown starting at 10 p.m. on Sunday.

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review

The Manos Gallery in Tarentum

Art equality

The Manos Gallery in Tarentum is hosting Art Equality from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The 4,000-square-foot gallery opened in November. Art director Ernesto Camacho Jr. of East Liberty said the space is for artists who want to showcase their work. The exhibit runs through June 28.