Culture OC Article: From Drag Brunches to Punk Proms, Orange County's 'Pride is for Everyone'
In June, Pride Month takes place to recognize the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community. In Orange County, there will be plenty of ways to support the LGBTQ+ community, with activities ranging from brunches to sports games.
Some events are returning for another annual celebration for Pride Month, while others are part of yearlong programming that promotes messages of equity and acceptance beyond the month of June.
Local organizations will band together again this year to organize a Pride Month that will celebrate diversity, inclusion and visibility in Orange County.
“Pride is for everyone – queer folks, allies, families and first timers – and we want to show that in Orange County we are a community and we support each other,” said OC Pride co-president Manny Muro. “(OC Pride) attends other org's events and we've built partnerships, like Pride nights with the Anaheim Ducks and the Angels. Sometimes, Pride is not just a celebration, it is a statement, and it's about aligning all different communities together.”
SUMMER OF PRIDE CELEBRATION
Laguna Beach Pride 365, which organizes yearlong programs to promote LGBTQ+ visibility, will hold a drag bingo brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 1 at Mozambique in Laguna Beach to kick off Pride Month. The event will include brunch offerings, artisan drinks and bingo hosted by Laguna Beach drag queen Endora. Reservations are required.
A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to Laguna Beach-based nonprofit Friendship Shelter, which provides housing and support services to individuals experiencing homelessness.
When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, June 1
Where: Mozambique, 1740 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach
Cost: Bingo cards – two for $5 or five for $10
More Info: lagunabeachpride.org
Also hosted this year by Laguna Beach Pride 365 is Karaoke Tuesdays with Peggie Perkins! at 237 Ocean Avenue.
OC PRIDE - HOSTING EVENTS ALL MONTH LONG
Each year, OC Pride collaborates with many local organizations to support Pride events, including Angels Pride Night and a Frida Cinema film screening with the LGBTQ Center OC.
This year, the organization has a lineup of activities, including the return of the Strut Beach Club event where guests can enjoy beach volleyball and music at Sahara Sandbar in Huntington Beach from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 7 and a Father’s Day Brunch where guests can enjoy brunch and a special drag story time from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 15 at Fairview Community Church in Costa Mesa.
For tickets and to stay updated on all events happening during Pride Month, OC Pride recommends following its website and Instagram page for more information and event postings throughout June.
OC Pride is a nonprofit that funds community projects and plans events beyond June, including Orange County’s official LGBTQIA+ Pride festival and parade, which will take place from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. This year’s event, with the theme “Revolutionary Louder Than Ever,” will give attendees the chance to march in the free pride parade, enjoy dances on the pride stage, view drag performances and listen to live music. Guests can also explore other areas of the festival, such as the Pride Marketplace with over 150 LGBTQIA+ and ally-owned vendors and Pride Speaks, the event’s TED Talk-style series with speakers from the LGBTQIA+ community.
“In a time where simply existing authentically can still receive push back, we want the theme “Revolutionary Louder Than Ever” to show that our visibility is our power and our community is vibrant and unshakable,” Muro said. “We're not whispering, we're turning up the volume.”
For more information on Pride Month events or the festival and parade, visit prideoc.com.
